Tag Archives: benayoun

Basle 1 Chelsea 2: David Luiz strikes winner after shocking penalty decision

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Basle 1 Chelsea 2: Luiz strikes with last kick of the game after Swiss side level with questionable penalty… but the Brazilian shouldn't have been on the pitch

PUBLISHED:

20:58 GMT, 25 April 2013

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UPDATED:

21:15 GMT, 25 April 2013

David Luiz scored a free-kick at the death to earn a crucial Europa League away win against Basle in the first-leg semi-final.

Moments earlier he had committed a late, high lunge, which should have seen him red carded.

It followed a shocking decision by referee Pavel Kralovec, when he adjudged Cesar Azpilicueta to have committed a foul in the area when it was clear he had not.

Fabian Schar struck from the spot to cancel out Victor Moses' first half header and seemingly earn Basle a draw.

Last gasp: David Luiz struck with what proved to be the final kick of the game

Last gasp: David Luiz struck with what proved to be the final kick of the game

Pure delight: Luiz celebrates wildly after scoring with a low free-kick

Pure delight: Luiz celebrates wildly after scoring with a low free-kick

Tucked away: Fabian Schar converted after a penalty was awarded for very little at all

Tucked away: Fabian Schar converted after a penalty was awarded for very little at all

Match facts

Basle: Sommer, Philipp Degen, Schar, Dragovic, Park, Fabian Frei, Salah, El-Nenny, Die, Stocker, Streller.

Subs: Vailati, David Degen, Diaz, Cabral, Sauro, Steinhofer, Zoua.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Luiz, Hazard, Ramires, Lampard, Moses, Torres.

Subs: Turnbull, Mata, Oscar, Mikel, Cahill, Benayoun, Bertrand.

Ref: Pavel Kralovec (Czech Republic)

More to follow.

Away goal: Victor Moses' (right) header opened the scoring for Chelsea

Away goal: Victor Moses' (right) header opened the scoring for Chelsea

Topsy-turvy: The Nigerian winger celebrated in style

Topsy-turvy: The Nigerian winger celebrated in style

Topsy-turvy: The Nigerian winger celebrated in style with some of his trademark acrobatics

Aiming high: Rafa Benitez wants to take Chelsea to Europa League glory this season

Aiming high: Rafa Benitez wants to take Chelsea to Europa League glory this season

Magic man: Until he was substituted, Eden Hazard was the star of the show

Magic man: Until he was substituted, Eden Hazard was the star of the show

Frustration: Marco Streller reacts after missing a good opportunity as Chelsea sat back

Frustration: Marco Streller reacts after missing a good opportunity as Chelsea sat back

Chelsea trio Ramires, Victor Moses and Demba Ba miss trip to Bucharest for Euro tie

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Ramires and Moses have a rest as they miss Chelsea's Europa League trip to Bucharest but Terry and Co hope it'll be plane sailing

PUBLISHED:

14:11 GMT, 6 March 2013

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UPDATED:

18:17 GMT, 6 March 2013

Ramires and Victor Moses were left behind by Chelsea as Rafa Benitez's side headed to Romania for Thursday's Europa League with Steaua Bucharest.

The pair were rested ahead of Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Striker Demba Ba also missed the trip because he is cup-tied after playing for Newcastle in the competition.

'We will try to put a very competitive team on the pitch and try to do a good job,' said manager Benitez who was speaking a the pre-match press conference. 'After we will think about United but the main thing at the moment is to progress in this competition.

Net gains: Rafa Benitez appeared in good spirits ahead of Chelsea's Europa League clash tomorrow

Net gains: Rafa Benitez appeared in good spirits ahead of Chelsea's Europa League clash tomorrow

Smooth landing: Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Yossi Benayoun, Marko Marin, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Oscar, Paulo Ferreira arrive

Smooth landing: Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Yossi Benayoun, Marko Marin, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Oscar, Paulo Ferreira arrive

A step down Chelsea are European champions but will want to win the continent's second-tier competition

A step down Chelsea are European champions but will want to win the continent's second-tier competition

The leaders: John Terry and Frank Lampard stride ahead of the Chelsea squad

The leaders: John Terry and Frank Lampard stride ahead of the Chelsea squad

Rafael Benitez

Rafa Benitez and Bolo Zenden

Rolling out the red carpet: Chelsea manager Rafa
Benitez receives a better reception in Bucharest than he does at
Stamford Bridge

'We will try to respect every competition. We are here to play Europa League and we will try to win. After, we will concentrate on Old Trafford and then West Ham. We know all the competitions are important and we will try to finish in the top four and everybody will be happy.

'We know how difficult it is to play away in Europe. We know Steaua Bucharest is a good team with good players. Tactically it is a good team. It is a team capable of pressing high or waiting to play on the counter-attack. They have good pace and can play from the back. It is a team with a good balance.

Chelsea's clash with Steaua Bucharest marks their 50th this season, but Benitez doesn't expect fatigue to be an issue.

He added: 'We can see the games and we can watch our players and we will decide which ones play. We have to manage them.

'We know we have played a lot of games and we want to play more. This is the way for a top side in a lot of competitions. If we do it properly, I don’t think fatigue will be a problem.'

Yossi Benayoun (ankle) and Oriol
Romeu (knee) are expected to miss out through injury, but John Terry
(knee) may not be risked following a fairly stuttering return from a
spell on the sidelines

Romanian champions Steaua come into the tie with almost a full squad to
choose from as Laurentiu Reghecampf looks to continue his side's
impressive run in the competition.

Chelsea arrived in Bucharest in good spirits as they look to win a European competition for the second successive season.

Rested: Chelsea midfielder Ramires and (below) forward Victor Moses

Rested: Chelsea midfielder Ramires and (below) forward Victor Moses

Victor Moses

Cup-tied: Demba Ba has also not travelled to Romania

Cup-tied: Demba Ba has also not travelled to Romania

Mohamed Diame has hamstring injury which could last 12 weeks

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West Ham's key man Diame set for 12 weeks out after hamstring injury

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UPDATED:

19:24 GMT, 9 December 2012

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is fearful he could be without midfielder Mohamed Diame for up to 12 weeks after he suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-2 defeat to Liverpool.

Diame has been a key player for West Ham this season but was forced off after 73 minutes.

He had been central to the action before his injury and after his withdrawal Liverpool scored twice to take the three points.

Blow: Mohamed Diame will be a big miss for West Ham in the next three months

Blow: Mohamed Diame will be a big miss for West Ham in the next three months

The Senegal international was stretchered from the pitch after pulling up near the touchline and Allardyce did not give a positive early prognosis.

'Not good, it does not take a medical expert to know it is a serious hamstring tear when he falls and stopped the way he did,' he said.

'I would expect, in medical terms, for it to be a grade 3 (injury) and that could be anything up to eight, 10 or 12 weeks.'

With the likes of Alou Diarra, Ricardo Vaz Te, Jack Collison, Yossi Benayoun and Andy Carroll already out injured Diame's absence is a big loss to Allardyce.

'For us he is about the start and build-up of most of the creative side of our game – he runs at them (defenders) with pace and ability that puts them on the back foot,' he said.

'That is what we have lost and what we will be missing for a number of weeks so we are going to have to be a bit more dogged and resilient with the players we have got available, rather than have the more creative side we have had from Mo.'

Diame's performances for the Hammers
have seen him linked with a number of clubs, especially given that he
has a release clause in his contract, but Allardyce reckons he would
rather deal with bids for his player in the transfer window than have
him sidelined.

'I would sooner have that aggravation
in January where people trying to get him than lose him for the period
of time, eight-12 weeks,' he said.

Stretchered off: Diame is taken from the field for treatment

Stretchered off: Diame is taken from the field for treatment

'In my experience, I have had a
number of hamstring injuries myself in my time, when you go down like
that you know you have really got (a bad) one.

'We will wait until it has settled
down and then scan it, we will find out exactly how big the damage is
and move on from there.'

West Ham anti-Semitic chants: Harry Redknapp leads attack

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You're filth! Harry leads attack on West Ham yobs as FA and club launch probe

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UPDATED:

07:38 GMT, 27 November 2012

Harry Redknapp has warned English football is in danger of a return to the dark days of the Seventies after the disgraceful scenes at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The new QPR manager said he was disgusted with football’s yobs and accused them of being ‘filth’ after fans of his former club West Ham chanted anti-Semitic songs during their 3-1 defeat at Tottenham.

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Plenty to ponder: Harry Redknapp hit out at the West Ham fans who sang anti-Semitic songs

Plenty to ponder: Harry Redknapp hit out at the West Ham fans who sang anti-Semitic songs

Redknapp, who also spent nearly four
years in charge of Spurs, said: ‘We don’t want to go back to what we had
with all the violence in the Seventies — we can’t have that again.

‘When they get in a group it’s filth. It’s disgusting and people are supposed to stand there and take it.

‘They chant at managers, at players and at each other and it has nothing to do with the football. They are cowards. It’s disgusting and I keep hearing it, but it’s not right.’

Israel midfielder Yossi Benayoun, who is on loan at West Ham from Chelsea, spoke of his disappointment and embarrassment after away supporters hissed and sang vile songs about Adolf Hitler on Sunday.

Benayoun wrote on Twitter: ‘I have a great relationship with the West Ham United supporters from my first spell at the club and again now I am back on loan here. This is why I was very disappointed to hear some of the songs yesterday and it was embarrassing.’

VIDEO: Anti-semitic chants at Spurs Fan's video captures shouts in stands

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The FA have launched an investigation and West Ham vowed to take ‘the strongest possible action’ — including lifetime bans — against any of their supporters found to have been chanting abuse.

The Society of Black Lawyers have reported the chants highlighted by Benayoun (below) to the Metropolitan Police, and two men were arrested at the game for making Nazi salutes.

Both accepted cautions and one has been identified as a West Ham season ticket-holder and banned from the club.

Police may also launch a formal criminal investigation after receiving a telephone call from a member of the public about anti-Semitic chanting in the West Ham section of the ground.

At the double: Jermain Defoe scored twice as Tottenham cruised to victory over West Ham

At the double: Jermain Defoe scored twice as Tottenham cruised to victory over West Ham

A West Ham statement added: ‘Any other individuals identified can expect a similar, swift and robust response.

‘West Ham will take the strongest possible action against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham.’

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the chants were ‘a stain upon the character of British football’.

The organisation, the main representative body of British Jewry, also criticised Scunthorpe United manager Brian Laws after he compared his team’s defending in Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Doncaster Rovers to the Holocaust.

Gaffe: Brian Laws compared Scunthorpe's defeat to the Holocaust

Gaffe: Brian Laws compared Scunthorpe's defeat to the Holocaust

Laws has since apologised for his ‘poor choice of language’, but a statement from the board said: ‘Clearly there is either a lack of understanding or a lack of compassion within some sections of the British football world about these issues.

‘We will be writing to the Football Association to urge them to punish those responsible for these chants and to take further steps to rid our national game of these slurs.

'Anti-Semitism has no place in football or society in general. For football fans to use Holocaust imagery and chants glorifying Adolf Hitler is grossly offensive to the Jewish community and is a stain upon the character of British football.’

On Sunday there were also repeated chants mocking the stabbing of Spurs fan Ashley Mills, who remains in hospital in Rome after he was attacked in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Aftermath: The Drunken Ship pub in Rome where Spurs fans were attacked last week

Aftermath: The Drunken Ship pub in Rome where Spurs fans were attacked last week

Sections of West Ham supporters sang ‘Viva Lazio’ and ‘Can we stab you every week’, and Italian flags were also spotted among the away fans.

Mills, 25, was visited in hospital by Lazio president Claudio Lotito yesterday following his injuries sustained before Tottenham’s Europa League clash in Rome last week.

Lotito, who denies his club’s fans had any involvement in the brutal attack, gave Mills a Lazio shirt with his name on it and promised there would be a ‘surprise’ on his players’ strips in tonight’s Serie A match against Udinese.

When asked about the songs at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Lotito said: ‘Those people were not fans — they were chants that should be punished by jail.’

Fresh start: Redknapp was unveiled as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers on Monday

Fresh start: Redknapp was unveiled as the new manager of Queens Park Rangers on Monday

Redknapp claimed clubs are powerless to act because of the sheer number of people chanting offensive songs.

The Rangers boss said: ‘It’s so difficult to deal with and you can’t throw them all out. It’s happening more and more.

‘I heard the abuse Arsene Wenger gets and I saw Dave Jones and heard what they are singing at Sheffield Wednesday — it’s disgusting. I don’t know what we can do with these people.’

WEST HAM'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to assist them with their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at White Hart Lane.

West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United.

During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham United had zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to see such reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such conduct thoroughly and take the appropriate action.

West Ham anti-Semitic chants: Yossi Benayoun blasts fans as two arrested over vile songs at Tottenham

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Israeli midfielder Benayoun blasts 'embarrassing' West Ham fans as two arrested over vile anti-Semitic chants at Tottenham

Football Association confirm probe into alleged chants referring to Adolf Hitler and attacks on Spurs fans in Rome last weekYossi Benayoun calls for club to punish 'minority' of fans
Society of Black Lawyers have reported incident to Metropolitan PoliceWest Ham vow to ban for life fans found guilty of sick chants

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UPDATED:

18:28 GMT, 26 November 2012

West Ham's Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun has slammed the anti-Semitic chanting from a section of the club's supporters during Sunday's London derby at Tottenham, calling their behaviour 'embarrassing'.

Two West Ham United supporters have been arrested following the chanting. The two fans have accepted police cautions reportedly for making Nazi salutes, while one of them, a season ticket holder at Upton Park, has already been issued with a life-time banning order by the club.

West Ham earlier today vowed to enforce life bans on any supporters found guilty of participating in vile anti-Semitic chanting that marred the 3-1 Spurs victory. The club are working with Tottenham in their investigation after references to Adolf Hitler, the Holocaust and last week's brutal attacks on Tottenham fans in Rome were reportedly heard during West Ham's 3-1 defeat at White Hart Lane.

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Let down: West Ham fans hit a new low with their chants at White Hart Lane

Let down: West Ham fans hit a new low with their chants at White Hart Lane

Tweet from Sportsmail's Alex Kay

Lazio' chants have gone on for most of
first half. Not just a few people, hundreds. It's sad and pathetic. Ban
them all.' @Alex_Kay_DM

But Benayoun, who is on a season-long loan from Chelsea and in his second spell with the club, has spoken out publicly against the fans' behaviour and called on the club and FA to punish those guilty of the sick chants.

Benayoun, who missed the match on Sunday with a thigh problem, said on Twitter: 'I have a great relationship with the West Ham United supporters, from my first spell at the club and again now I am back on loan here.

'This why I was very disappointed to hear some of the songs yesterday and it was embarrassing.

'But we need to remember that it was made by a minority group of fans and I'm sure the FA together with West Ham United football club will do everything to find and punish them.'

Earlier on Monday, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: ‘Two men were arrested during the football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham on Sunday November 25 on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence. The men accepted a police caution.’

West Ham this
morning issued a statement, which read: 'West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to
assist them with their investigation into the conduct of a small number
of supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's
match at White Hart Lane.

'West Ham United will take the
strongest possible action against any of their supporters, including
enforcing life bans from the club, that are found guilty of behaviour
which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United.

'During the 46 games in the
Championship last season, West Ham United had zero arrests for racism or
violence, so while we are surprised to see such reports today, we will
examine any available evidence of such conduct thoroughly and take the
appropriate action.'

The FA also moved quickly and released a statement on Monday afternoon.

It read: 'The FA can confirm it has begun investigating reports of abusive chanting at the Tottenham Hotspur FC versus West Ham United FC fixture on 25 November 2011.

'The FA Governance Department has this morning contacted both clubs and will continue to make enquiries into the matter in the coming days.

'We note the statement issued by West Ham United FC and encourage Clubs to identify and ban for life any individuals involved in incidents of abusive chanting.

'There is no place for anti-Semitism or any form of discrimination in football. The FA is committed to working with the Clubs, Leagues, fans groups, the police, CPS and community stakeholders to play our part in addressing this unacceptable behaviour.'

Tottenham Hotspur also confirmed that five supporters were arrested during Sunday's match at White Hart Lane outside of the stadium for unrelated incidents.

The chairman of the Society of Black Lawyers Peter Herbert also confirmed his organisation had already notified police after some Hammers supporters appeared to mock the gassing of Jews in the Holocaust during the match at White Hart Lane.

VIDEO: Anti-semitic chants at Spurs Fan's video captures shouts in stands

DM.has('rcpv1989298019001','BCVideo');

Asked if he would take the issue to the police, Herbert told Sky Sports News: 'We've done so already.

'In
fact we were due to meet a borough commander of the Met Police either
later this week or early next week and it's one of the things that will
be on our agenda.

'As far
as we're concerned there has to be zero tolerance of this. If these
people can be identified on camera and prosecuted then that is something
we'd like to see.'

Meanwhile, a Tottenham club
spokesperson said: 'We are currently compiling a full report for the
Football Association and shall be submitting this with all our evidence
including relevant CCTV footage.'

Sportsmail
has learnt that FA officials are waiting to digest the referee's report
before launching a full probe – although off-the-field incidents
typically take longer to investigate
than those on the pitch.

Hundreds of West Ham supporters
chanted ‘Viva Lazio’ at numerous points during the game in a macabre
show of support for the hooligans who left at least 10 Spurs fans
injured and one needing emergency surgery.

Ashley Mills, 25, of Essex, had to be admitted to hospital for stab wounds to his head and groin after being set upon by a gang of masked thugs while in Rome for Tottenham’s Europa League match against Lazio. Two men have since been charged with attempted murder.

Italian flags were seen in the away section on Sunday and a red flare was also set off. After Tottenham had scored their second and third goals, ‘Lazio’ was chanted, bringing ironic cheers from the home crowd.

The most distasteful chants were saved for towards the end. In reply to Spurs fans chanting, ‘Can we play you every week’ West Ham fans sang: ‘Can we stab you every week’

Anti-semitic chanting, hissing and the references to Hitler then followed.

The FA said they would await reports from referee Andre Marriner and fourth official Mark Clattenburg before taking further action.

At the double: Jermain Defoe scored twice as Tottenham cruised to victory over West Ham

At the double: Jermain Defoe scored twice as Tottenham cruised to victory over West Ham

Chance: Tottenham's Gareth Bale tries to score past West Ham's Mohamed Diame (left) at White Hart Lane yesterday

Chance: Tottenham's Gareth Bale tries to score past West Ham's Mohamed Diame (left) at White Hart Lane yesterday

WEST HAM'S OFFICIAL STATEMENT

West Ham United are in contact with Tottenham Hotspur to assist them with their investigation into the conduct of a small number of supporters and alleged inappropriate chanting during yesterday's match at White Hart Lane.

West Ham United will take the strongest possible action against any of their supporters, including enforcing life bans from the club, that are found guilty of behaviour which is categorically not condoned by West Ham United.

During the 46 games in the Championship last season, West Ham United had zero arrests for racism or violence, so while we are surprised to see such reports today, we will examine any available evidence of such conduct thoroughly and take the appropriate action.

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce said he had not heard the chanting but agreed his fans ‘should not be doing that’. Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas branded the chants as ‘stupid’.

Allardyce said: ‘I don’t hear what the fans say or do when I’m concentrating on a game of football.

‘They shouldn’t be doing things like that, should they But it’s the least of my worries at the minute.’

Asked about the Hitler chanting, Allardyce said: ‘If I didn’t hear it, I can’t condemn it. I’ll wait and look at it myself and then I’ll comment after I’ve listened to what they’ve said. I don’t want to be a political animal. I’m in here to talk about football, not what fans are saying or singing.’

Villas-Boas said: ‘We know the animosity
there is between Tottenham and West Ham. As long as it doesn’t reach
stupidity, it is a great rivalry.

Aftermath: The Drunken Ship pub in Rome were Spurs fans were attacked this week

Aftermath: The Drunken Ship pub in Rome were Spurs fans were attacked this week

‘I understand the whole situation is unavoidable although we can’t decipher the complete meaning of what they were singing.’

The two clubs have a long-standing history of abuse between supporters. Former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe, who was booed throughout, scored two of the goals in the win for Tottenham, a victory that takes them one place above the Hammers.

Spurs fans have been the subject of complaints by the Society of Black Lawyers who objected to the White Hart Lane supporters singing ‘Yid Army’ about themselves. Sportsmail has highlighted that this kind of disgraceful chanting is just as despicable as racist abuse, pointing out unacceptable behaviour such as vile abuse Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is subjected to at various grounds.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Dave Jones, who has been the victim of sustained abuse, said: ‘It is like a form of racism because it is every bit as bad.’

Spurs supporters rushed to condemn their West Ham rivals on Twitter.

Three and easy: Tottenham climbed above the Hammers with this win on Sunday

Three and easy: Tottenham climbed above the Hammers with this win on Sunday

Andrew Leason wrote: 'West Ham fans & their Lazio/Hitler chants showing what utter vile scum they are.'

West Ham fan Andrew Wiseman posted: 'The minority of hammers fans with the Lazio chants should hang their heads in shame. And I'm a Hammer. Pathetic.'

Ed Aarons commented: 'Not surprised at all by reports of moronic Lazio chants by West Ham fans at WHL. Not exactly known for their intelligence.'

West Ham fans were also accused of hissing in reference to the Jews who were slaughtered by the Nazis in concentration camps.

'Hissing, Lazio chants and (letting off) a flare. You classless bunch of p***** are really enjoying your cup final, aren't you West Ham,' posted Louise Page.

And Charlie Parrish added: 'Next to West Ham away fans. Lots of Lazio chants. Football's pretty grim sometimes.'

The anti-racism group Kick It Out also said it was looking into the reports of abuse.

Kick It Out chair Lord Herman Ouseley said: 'Kick It Out is following up with both clubs after the reports circulated concerning unacceptable chanting at White Hart Lane and is awaiting reports with further detail.'

The Board of Deputies of British Jews also moved to condemn the reported chanting.

They issued a statement which read: 'The Board of Deputies of British Jews utterly condemns and is dismayed by reports of antisemitic chanting by West Ham United fans at yesterday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur.

'Antisemitism has no place in football or society in general. For football fans to use Holocaust imagery and chants glorifying Adolf Hitler is grossly offensive to the Jewish community and is a stain upon the character of British football.

'This in the same week that Tottenham fans were attacked in Rome in an apparently antisemitic attack.'

Carlos Tevez shows "Hammers" sign to West Ham fans

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Tevez still a fans' favourite at West Ham after 'Irons' sign as City rue missed chances

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UPDATED:

13:00 GMT, 4 November 2012

The love affair between Carlos Tevez and the West Ham supporters is still going strong following the striker's latest return to Upton Park with Manchester City.

Tevez's goals kept the Hammers in the Premier League in 2007 and he has always been a fans' favourite in east London despite joining Manchester United and then City.

The Argentine striker delighted the home support by crossing his arms in a 'Hammers' sign on Saturday night and they responded by singing 'there's only one Carlos Tevez' and 'Carlos Tevez, he wants to come home.'

A place in his heart: Carlos Tevez held his crossed arms aloft showing a Hammers sign to the fans of his former club

A place in his heart: Carlos Tevez held his crossed arms aloft showing a Hammers sign to the fans of his former club

Tevez played 84 minutes against his old employers but could not add to his tally of four Premier League goals for the campaign.

His old club, sitting in eighth position in the table, will have been happier with the goalless draw than Roberto Mancini's men.

Mancini started
with a powerful strikeforce of Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko as well as
Tevez, but City were still unable to breach the Hammers defence.

Appreciated: West ham fans responded by singing songs praising Tevez, whose goals saved them from relegation in 2007

Appreciated: West ham fans responded by singing songs praising Tevez, whose goals saved them from relegation in 2007

Class act: Tevez shone for Manchester City at Upton Park, despite being unable to make the crucial breakthrough for his team

Class act: Tevez shone for Manchester City at Upton Park, despite being unable to make the crucial breakthrough for his team

In fact, it was West Ham who had the better chances early on.

Kevin Nolan slotted a
well-taken volley past Joe Hart that was wrongly
disallowed for offside before Yossi Benayoun sent a side-footed volley
crashing onto the crossbar.

But Mancini was also left to rue a number of missed chances later in the match.

On the stroke of half-time, Mancini’s
talented, but unpredictable, striker Balotelli scuppered a gilt-edged
chance by missing a gaping goal with a close-range volley.

Gareth Barry was next to fluff his
lines when he latched onto a Tevez ball, controlled the it before somehow
steering his shot wide from six yards out. The former Aston Villa midfielder was perhaps relieved to realise the referee had penalised him for taking the ball down with his arm.

Mancini said he was happy with his
side’s performance, but concerned by the missed chances – in particular
by his compatriot Balotelli.

Tevez and Co now turn their attention
to Tuesday’s clash with Ajax at the Etihad, where defeat would likely
confirm their exit from the Champions League in the group stages for the
second year running.

All smiles: Tevez shared a joke with George McCartney (left) before kick-off at Upton Park

All smiles: Tevez shared a joke with George McCartney (left) before kick-off at Upton Park

West Ham 0 Manchester City 0 – match report

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West Ham 0 Manchester City 0: Unfair This bore draw is just the start, Mancini

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UPDATED:

23:16 GMT, 3 November 2012

An awkward night in the East End of London will pale in comparison to the mission facing Roberto Mancini in Manchester on Tuesday.

For the second consecutive season, he is presented with the prospect of the team he has assembled on Abu Dhabi petro-dollars being eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages. Victory against Ajax on Tuesday is an absolute necessity.

Even then, the odds of survival seem heavily stacked against Manchester City. After Ajax, Mancini will have to conjure further wins over Real Madrid at home and against Borussia Dortmund in Germany — then trust that other results in the group fall favourable.

Tip top: Joe Hart pushes over Yossi Benayoun's effort

Tip top: Joe Hart pushes over Yossi Benayoun's effort

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, Collins (Spence 84), McCartney, Jarvis, Noble, Diame (O'Neil 71), Benayoun, Nolan, Carroll (Cole 77).

Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Maiga, Chambers, Hall.

Booked: Collins, Benayoun, McCartney.

Man City: Hart, Nastasic, Kompany, Toure, Clichy, Barry, Toure, Nasri (Sinclair 90), Tevez (Javi Garcia 84), Dzeko, Balotelli (Aguero 69).

Subs Not Used: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Razak.

Att: 35,005

Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).

Latest Premier League table and results

It promises to be an uncomfortable
period in the extreme. For the first time in 16 Premier League games,
City failed to score. And that was after Mancini tried to break West
Ham’s spirited resolve by using, over the 90 minutes, the striking
talents of Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero and
Samir Nasri.

All Mancini could conjure at the end
was a hard-luck story. ‘No, it’s not a fair result,’ he said. ‘We missed
four incredible chances. I am happy with the performance but, if you
don’t score, you can’t win.’

He felt particularly aggrieved by the
failure of Balotelli. In the 33rd minute, the volatile Italian striker
had the chance to bring a smile to his manager’s face. A free-kick from
Tevez evaded West Ham’s defence and Balotelli appeared at the far post
with the freedom of Upton Park. He tried to divert the ball into the net
with his right leg almost horizontal to the ground, when perhaps he
would have been better advised to have headed the ball. And on the
stroke of half-time, Balotelli missed the target with a volley.

Mancini’s frustration this season is
deepening. James Milner was withdrawn from the team in the warm-up and,
like Joleon Lescott and David Silva, he is not expected by Mancini to
feature against Ajax. ‘When you win the title, I think the year after is
more difficult,’ said Mancini. ‘We have improved our defensive phase,
but we now need to score (as freely) as last year.

In the 68th minute, Gareth Barry
engineered an opportunity when he arrived late into the penalty area to
catch West Ham’s defence napping.

Taking a tumble: Edin Dzeko goes down under Mohamed Diame's challenge

Taking a tumble: Edin Dzeko goes down under Mohamed Diame's challenge

Causing a scene: Vincent Kompany

Now it's Carroll's turn

Causing a scene: Vincent Kompany appeals for a foul… while Andy Carroll (right) holds his face

He appeared to bring the ball under
control with the upper part of his arm but, without censure, he had
ample chance to score. Instead he shot wide of the far post. ‘Had that
been a goal it would have been a real sickener as he brought the ball
down with his hand,’ said West Ham manager Sam Allardyce.

West Ham are deserving of credit. They
caused moments of anxiety for City and defended with heart over the
final 30 minutes when they kept the champions out. In fact, Kevin Nolan
felt he had given West Ham a fourth-minute lead, but he was judged to
have volleyed Mark Noble’s free-kick from an offside position. ‘City
were a little fortunate with that decision,’ said Allardyce.

Yossi Benayoun thundered a volley
against Joe Hart’s crossbar in the 18th minute, while Andy Carroll’s
overhead kick on the hour from a corner from Matt Jarvis looked
goalbound until it was deflected to safety off the back of City’s
stand-in right back Kolo Toure.

Anything to score: Carroll flings himself at the ball

Anything to score: Carroll flings himself at the ball

Complaint: Gareth Barry appeals to Howard Webb

Complaint: Gareth Barry appeals to Howard Webb

But while Allardyce is enjoying
jousting again at the highest level, Mancini remains a man who cannot
predict with total certainty what the future holds for him.

Last week he was forced to admit that
he had been close to accepting an attractive financial package from
Monaco, the latest club to have a billionaire benefactor bristling with a
desire to reach the top table of European football.

Mancini, clearly, was keeping his
options open. After all, City only delivered the championship —demanded
by the club’s owners and coveted by fans impatient to have bragging
rights over Manchester United — with effectively the final kick of the
season from Aguero.

Oh no, Mario! Balotelli sees the ball evade him

Oh no, Mario! Balotelli sees the ball evade him

What's going on here then Howard Webb looks puzzled as Kevin Nolan sits injured

What's going on here then Howard Webb looks puzzled as Kevin Nolan sits injured

Mancini’s signature on a new five-year contract with City seemed to calm the speculation surrounding his future.

But these are complex times at City.
The arrival from Barcelona of Txiki Begiristain as director of football
and Ferran Soriano as chief executive, has shaken up the administrative
structure at the club. It will hardly escape Mancini’s notice that the
third member of that triumphant triumvirate at Barca, former manager Pep
Guardiola, will be seeking new employment next summer after the
completion of a year-long sabbatical.

Back home: Former Hammer Carlos Tevez was given rapturous applause

Back home: Former Hammer Carlos Tevez was given rapturous applause

Nervous: Sam Allardyce and Roberto Mancini urge their teams on

Oops! Carroll bemoans a missed chance

Nervous: Sam Allardyce and Roberto Mancini watch on while Carroll bemoans a missed chance

Guardiola’s reputation for creating a
team that epitomised football as the beautiful game will cast a giant
shadow on managers across Europe. But only those with deep pockets
should bother calling him.

Mancini endured a tough day at the office. And tougher days beckon, beginning with the visit of Ajax on Tuesday night.

Silence: The teams paid their respects to fallen heroes in advance of Remembrance Day

Silence: The teams paid their respects to fallen heroes in advance of Remembrance Day

West Ham 4 Southampton 1 – match report: Mark Noble Kevin Nolan Modibo Maiga Adam Lallana score

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West Ham 4 Southampton 1: Noble and Nolan help Hammers see off sloppy Saints

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UPDATED:

16:48 GMT, 20 October 2012

Mark Noble's brace helped West Ham continue their fine start to life back in the top flight at the expense of fellow new boys Southampton.

The Hammers have adapted to life in the Barclays Premier League far better than the side that finished above them in the Championship and picked up their fourth win of the campaign.

After a dour first half at Upton Park, Sam Allardyce's men came flying out of the blocks after the restart and netted twice in a three-minute spell.

Happy Hammers: Two-goal hero Mark Noble is grabbed by fellow goalscorer Kevin Nolan

Happy Hammers: Two-goal hero Mark Noble is grabbed by fellow goalscorer Kevin Nolan

MATCH FACTS

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins (Spence 88), Collins, Reid, McCartney, Noble, Diame (O'Neil 68), Benayoun, Nolan, Jarvis, Carroll (Maiga 82). Subs not used: Spiegel, Cole, Chambers, Hall.

Scorers: Noble 46, 72 (pen), Nolan 48, Maiga 87.

Southampton: Boruc, Clyne, Hooiveld, Fonte, Yoshida, Puncheon (Mayuka 65), Schneiderlin, Steven Davis (Ward-Prowse 89), Lallana, Rodriguez (Lambert 65), Do Prado. Subs not used: Kelvin Davis, Seaborne, Chaplow, Reeves.

Booked: Hooiveld, Schneiderlin.

Scorer: Lallana 63.

Ref: Neil Swarbrick.

Att: 34,925.

Click here for the latest Premier League results, fixtures and table

Noble broke the deadlock with a
40-yard free-kick that drifted past debutant goalkeeper Artur Boruc,
before captain Kevin Nolan tapped home a Yossi Benayoun cross at the
back post.

Southampton threatened a comeback
when Adam Lallana exquisitely fired home, but Noble netted a penalty
before substitute Modibo Maiga superbly curled home to secure the three
points.

West Ham looked the brighter side
early on but Southampton earned the game's first corner with Jay
Rodriguez inches away from directing home Jason Puncheon's loss cross.

It was one of several threatening moments by the visitors for whom goalkeeper Boruc was looking shaky.

The former Celtic man became the
third different goalkeeper to start for Saints this season and had Andy
Carroll to thank for not making the most of an awful clearance early on.

Boruc was playing behind a re-jigged
backline in east London as Southampton juggled injuries and attempted to
thwart West Ham's aerial threat.

Jos Hooiveld returned to the side as a result of the changes and had to be alert to clear a James Tomkins header off the line.

Mixed fortunes: Both Adam Lallana (left) and Kevin Nolan got on the scoresheet, but West Ham took all three points

Mixed fortunes: Both Adam Lallana (left) and Nolan got on the scoresheet, but West Ham took all three points

The Dutch defender saw his own header
on goal saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen moments earlier and in the 21st
minute Rodriguez put a snapshot just wide.

The 6million striker also fired a
free-kick over as Saints tried to break the deadlock, with team-mates
Maya Yoshida and Guly do Prado soon miscuing their own long-range
efforts.

There were fears for Tomkins when he appeared to twist his knee, but he continued after treatment as West Ham upped the ante.

The home side were struggling to
create any clear-cut chances, though, as Southampton went into half-time
without conceding for the first time since their return to the Premier
League.

However, the Saints defence was breached less than a minute into the second half.

On the run: Matt Jarvis has the beating of Nathaniel Clyne

On the run: Matt Jarvis has the beating of Nathaniel Clyne

Collins could not quite get a toe on Noble's floated 40-yard free-kick, but it bounced in the six-yard box and flew past Boruc.

The opener was followed moments later by West Ham's second after a poor Do Prado pass was not dealt with by Yoshida.

Benayoun won the ball from the Japan
international and his low cross was met at the back post by Nolan, who
tapped home from close range.

Only the fine reactions of Boruc
prevented the Hammers captain making it three in the 61st minute as he
ghosted in and directed a quickly-taken free-kick goalwards.

False dawn: Lallana fires Southampton's only goal of the game

False dawn: Lallana fires Southampton's only goal of the game

The save proved invaluable as Saints
reduced the deficit two minutes later when Lallana turned beautifully to
strike a half-volley past Jaaskelainen from close range.

The goal came thanks to the hard work
- and wayward shot – of Rodriguez, who was replaced by Rickie Lambert
immediately afterwards.

Saints' top scorer was surprisingly
left out of the starting line-up and came on at the same time as
Emmanuel Mayuka, although it was the former that made an immediate
impact.

First the 30-year-old saw a 20-yard free-kick just go over, before heading a Nathaniel Clyne cross wide.

Southampton were threatening to
quieten the home support but undid all their good work when Fonte
handled as he challenged Carroll.

Noble fired home the resulting spot-kick, allowing the Hammers to coast from the 72nd minute onwards.

Mayuka tested Jaaskelainen as West
Ham endured some nervy moments, but Maiga put the match out of sight
three minutes from time, running at the Saints defence and sending a
curling left-footed effort home.

Yossi Benayoun eyes West Ham start against Southampton

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Benayoun hopes international hiatus can help him break into Hammers side

|

UPDATED:

07:45 GMT, 15 October 2012

Yossi Benayoun is hoping his international hiatus can put him in the frame to make his first Hammers start of the season on Saturday against Southampton.

The Chelsea midfielder re-joined West Ham on a season-long loan on Deadline Day back in August but has found first-team opportunities at Upton Park limited so far.

International break: Dropped by Israel, Yossi Benayoun is hoping to establish himself in West Ham's starting XI

International break: Dropped by Israel, Yossi Benayoun is hoping to establish himself in West Ham's starting XI

Having played only 47 minutes this season in two Premier League substitute appearances under manager Sam Allardyce, Benayoun has been dropped by Israel despite being the nation's captain.

The impressive form of Mohamed Diame, Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan has restricted Benayoun to the bench but the 32-year-old is hopeful he will get his chance to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI soon.

'There is an option to extend my loan,' Benayoun told reporters.

'My ambition is to be here for a full season and to make it a good one.

'It's great to be here but there's strength in depth.'

Benayoun, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal, first signed for West Ham from Racing Santander in 2005, helping the club reach the FA Cup Final for the first time in 26 years.

West Ham 1 Arsenal 3: Match report

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West Ham 1 Arsenal 3: Super sub Walcott ensures Gunners take all three points from Hammers

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UPDATED:

18:49 GMT, 6 October 2012

Olivier Giroud netted his first Barclays Premier League goal as Arsenal came from behind to beat West Ham at Upton Park.

The Gunners had seen their unbeaten start to the new season ended by a 2-1 home defeat against leaders Chelsea last weekend.

However, Arsene Wenger's men, who beat Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday night, showed great character to recover from conceding an early goal to Mohamed Diame.

Off the bench: Theo Walcott scored Arsenal's second goal to put them in the lead for the first time in the game

Off the bench: Theo Walcott scored Arsenal's second goal to put them in the lead for the first time in the game

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Tomkins 73), Collins, Reid, McCartney, Noble, Diame (Cole 82), Vaz Te (Taylor 64), Nolan, Jarvis, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Henderson, Maiga, Benayoun, O'Neil.

Booked: Diame, Reid, Taylor.

Goal: Diame 21.

Arsenal: Mannone, Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen, Gibbs (Andre Santos 56), Ramsey, Cazorla, Arteta, Gervinho (Walcott 61), Giroud, Podolski (Koscielny 85).

Subs Not Used: Martinez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Coquelin, Arshavin.

Booked: Gervinho, Walcott.

Goals: Giroud 41, Walcott 77, Cazorla 83.

Attendance: 34,974

Referee: Phil Dowd

Click here for the latest Premier League results, fixtures and table

France striker Giroud, a 12million summer signing from Montpellier, netted from close range just ahead of half-time, with substitute Theo Walcott slotting home another on the break before industrious Spaniard Santi Cazorla struck a superb 25-yard effort.

Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs, though, limped off in the second half, which could be a concern for England, although West Ham striker Andy Carroll did complete the full 90 minutes on his recovery from a hamstring problem.

Before kick-off, there was a well-observed minute's applause for former West Ham defender John Bond, who passed away recently.

Arsenal started brightly as the recalled Giroud sent in a low shot from 20 yards which forced Jussi Jaaskelainen into action, before Cazorla had a goalbound shot blocked.

West Ham looked to utilise Carroll's presence whenever possible, but needed all the help they could get in their own penalty area as Arsenal continued to press.

First, Carl Jenkinson's cross was hacked behind and then Carroll knocked Cazorla's fierce drive over his own crossbar.

West Ham, though, snatched the lead against the run of play in the 21st minute.

The ball was worked down the left channel and Diame cut inside Aaron Ramsey to fire an angled drive into the top corner.

Taking the lead: Mohamed Diame celebrates putting West Ham in front with a good finish

Taking the lead: Mohamed Diame celebrates putting West Ham in front with a good finish

No chance: Arsenal's goalkeeper Vito Mannone can't stop Diame's goal

No chance: Arsenal's goalkeeper Vito Mannone can't stop Diame's goal

The Senegal midfielder was shown a yellow card for celebrating his first Irons' goal by running into the crowd – and was fortunate not to have then seen red after clattering into Mikel Arteta, instead just getting a final warning from referee Phil Dowd.

West Ham were now on the front foot, with Carroll's close-range header straight at Vito Mannone.

Arsenal had a chance to equalise when Giroud just failed to connect with Per Mertesacker's flicked header through the six-yard box.

The French striker, though, did bag his Premier League goal four minutes before half-time.

At last! Olivier Giroud breaks his goalscoring duck in the Premier League

At last! Olivier Giroud breaks his goalscoring duck in the Premier League

Sliding in: Olivier Giroud gets his toe to the ball first to score

Sliding in: Olivier Giroud gets his toe to the ball first to score

After winning the ball in midfield, Giroud stabbed it out to Lukas Podolski on the left. The German darted to the byline before cutting the ball back across goal – where Giroud arrived at pace to slot home.

West Ham, though, could easily have gone back in front just before the break when Kevin Nolan knocked the ball wide from close range after a free-kick into the Arsenal penalty area.

The Irons were fired up following the restart, forcing a succession of corners.

Arsenal left-back Gibbs hobbled off in the 55th minute, replaced by Brazilian Andre Santos – an injury concern for England ahead of their World Cup qualifiers.

Wonder strike: Santi Cazorla puts the game beyond doubt with Arsenal's third

Wonder strike: Santi Cazorla puts the game beyond doubt with Arsenal's third

Job done: Cazorla celebrates after scoring his goal

Job done: Cazorla celebrates after scoring his goal

Ryan Jarvis' shot-on-the-turn flew over as the hosts pressed again.

As the hour mark passed, Ricardo Vaz Te had to be substituted, by Matthew Taylor, after falling awkwardly on his arm after racing to a 50/50 with the Arsenal keeper.

Wenger looked to inject some fresh life into the visitors' attack when he sent on Walcott for Gervinho.

Walcott almost helped set up a goal when Cazorla's shot hit Ramsey and bobble in West Ham penalty area, his clever backheel was cut into the sidenetting by Giroud from a very tight angle.

Eyes on the ball: Matt Taylor in action against Arsenal's Andres Santos

Eyes on the ball: Matt Taylor in action against Arsenal's Andres Santos

Winning the ball: Andy Carroll beats Thomas Vermaelen to the ball

Winning the ball: Andy Carroll beats Thomas Vermaelen to the ball

The Irons went close moments later as Carroll knocked a deep cross wide after getting above Mannone.

The game was wide open now as both sides created chances, Cazorla firing off target after a jinking run before Mertesacker's last-gap tackle denied Nolan.

At the other end, Podolski's low drive was spilled behind by Jaaskelainen.

Arsenal broke away to take the lead with 13 minutes remaining.

Fight for the ball: Mikel Arteta fight with Kevin Nolan for the ball

Fight for the ball: Mikel Arteta fight with Kevin Nolan for the ball

Giroud fed Walcott, who timed his run to beat the offside trap, dart into the penalty area and beat the keeper with a low shot into the near post.

West Ham quickly spurned a chance to draw level when Nolan blasted over from 10 yards.

With 11 minutes left, Diame was replaced by Carlton Cole.

However, it was game over when, in the 83rd minute, the excellent Cazorla finally got his goal – lashing a sublime left-foot effort into the top-right corner from 25 yards.