tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham updated

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tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham updated

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the sun


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Hitz a happy return for Thomas




THOMAS HITZLSPERGER smashed a West Ham debut goal - then admitted he thought the fans had forgotten him.

The German midfielder, 28, was Avram Grant's first signing at Upton Park last summer, only to suffer a thigh injury days before the season began.

But Hitzlsperger, aptly nicknamed The Hammer, roared back in super style with a screamer last night to book his team an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Stoke.



Two goals from Carlton Cole, a Winston Reid header and a stoppage-time effort from Freddie Sears completed the rout.

Hitzlsperger said: "The reception I got was fantastic. I didn't expect it because I thought the fans had forgotten about me! The manager wasn't sure before the game whether to play me for just 30 minutes or give me a start.

"So I'm just delighted to start off with a goal in an important win for us. It's been a tough time, especially when I first found out how long it would take to recover.

"But I've been looked after by the club and a surgeon in Germany and that's why I came back on time. I was determined to be fit for when it mattered."

Hammers boss Avram Grant said: "He was one of our best players in pre-season and we have missed him in the Premier League."




the sun




West Ham 5 Burnley 1




IF only West Ham could play like this in the Premier League.

Having struggled to find goals for much of the season in the top-flight, Avram Grant has seen his cup success continue.

And aptly he was helped into an FA Cup quarter-final clash at Stoke by a man whose nickname is The Hammer.

Thomas Hitzlsperger was Grant's first signing when he arrived at Upton Park last summer, joining on a free transfer from Lazio.

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But just days before the start of the Premier League season, the German international midfielder suffered a thigh injury in a friendly against Denmark, forcing him to miss much of the Hammers' beleaguered campaign.

He wasted their first chance in the seventh minute. Carlton Cole supplied the ball but the German's shot from his weaker right-foot lacked power.

Then in the 23rd minute he showed the sort of skill that first attracted Grant - and earned him his moniker.

Weaving past Jack Cork, the unmarked Hitzlsperger found space to unleash a 25-yard left-foot drive that had Burnley keeper Lee Grant beaten all the way.

Now Grant must hope his man can help Hammers win their battle for Premier League survival.

Grant had taken his players go-karting last week as team-bonding exercise.

And, having watched them throw a two-goal lead in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup against Birmingham last month, he was determined the wheels would not come off this time around with a trip to Wembley now one game away.

The Hammers were without centre-back Matthew Upson, missing with tendinitis, though assistant manager Wally Downes last night rubbished reports that the centre-back would be out for the rest of the season.

Championship outfit Burnley started the brighter, their young star Jay Rodriguez dancing around Rob Green early before failing to finish.

Minutes later Rodriguez, watched by England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce who handed him his first cap earlier this month, came even closer when he latched on to a nifty chip from Chris Eagles.

Green was forced into action in the 37th minute, saving a powerful low shot from Eagles after Rodriguez linked with Danny Fox. And just before half-time Ross Wallace threaded a pass to Tyrone Mears, only for his sliding cross to be blocked by the West Ham defence.

Hammers came out of the blocks quicker after the re-start with two quick goals.

On 48 minutes Mark Noble set up Cole but his awful touch allowed the ball to fall to keeper Grant.

In farcical scenes Cole then fell on the shot-stopper before hooking the ball into the back of the net after what looked suspiciously like a handball.

Two minutes later Cole managed to get it right first time, trapping a pass from Noble before curling the ball past Grant.

Winston Reid made it four, heading the ball into the back of the net from a Hitzlsperger corner on the 59th minute, with Freddie Sears firing the fifth deep in stoppage time, after sub Jonathan Spector chested the ball down.

Burnley had by then pulled back a deserved consolation goal. Wayne Bridge played the ball back to Green on the goalline only for the keeper's clearance to hit Mears in the face before falling to Rodriguez who headed home.

But Hitzlsperger was star of the show, getting a standing ovation from the Upton Park crowd when he was replaced by Pablo Barrera in the 67th minute.


Grant has a magic wand in the Cup, having taken unfancied Portsmouth to the final last season. His record in the competition is just two defeats in 14 matches.

But after suffering relegation with Pompey from the Prem as well last term, he must hope history does not repeat itself.

DREAM TEAM

STAR MAN - THOMAS HITZLSPERGER (WEST HAM)

WEST HAM: Green 6, Reid 7, Tomkins 6, Jacobsen 6, Bridge 6, Sears 7, Parker 7, Noble 8, Hitzlsperger 8, Cole 8, Ba 6. Subs: Barrera (Hitzlsperger 67) 5, Spector (Cole 73) 6, Piquionne (Ba 82) 5. Not used: Boffin, Boa Morte, Da Costa, Hines.

BURNLEY: Grant 6, Mears 7, Duff 6, Carlisle 6, Fox 6, Elliott 6, Cork 6, Eagles 7, Marney 6, Wallace 7, Rodriguez 8. Subs: Alexander (Marney 72) 5, Iwelumo (Wallace 73) 5, Thompson (Eagles 84) 5. Not used: Jensen, Edgar, Bikey, Easton. Booked: Rodriguez, Elliott.

REF: M Atkinson 6






the mirror




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Upson dismisses talk he's out for the season


Matthew Upson has dismissed talk he could miss the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.

There were fears the England star would play no further part in West Ham’s battle to beat the drop.

But Upson, 31, said: “I’ve had different diagnoses which is frustrating as you have to choose what is right and wrong. It’s not easy.

“We’re in the process of sorting it out and I personally feel like I could be training very soon – possibly the end of the week.

“And that is a lot different to being out for the rest of the season.”





the mirror



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Tommy 'the Hammer' happy to nail Burnley



Thomas Hitzlsperger hailed a fantastic night for himself and West Ham after helping fire them to a 5-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on his debut.

The Germany midfielder signed for the Hammers in the summer, but injury has kept him sidelined until tonight, when he started the fifth round tie at Upton Park.

Hitzlsperger grabbed the first goal with a trademark left-footed thunderbolt from the edge of the area and the Barclays Premier League strugglers went on to enjoy a confidence boosting win.

"I didn't know what to expect after such a long time out," Hitzlsperger told ESPN. "The manager was speaking to me before the game about whether I would play 30 minutes or start, but I'm delighted to start with a goal and an important win for us.

"It's going to bring some confidence back to the camp and that's important with the games ahead of us."

Burnley had more than held their own before the German's 23rd minute strike.

"We knew that they're in good form in the Championship and we were well aware they would put pressure on us," Hitzlsperger added.

"They played well at stages but it was good timing for the goal and the fact I scored, it came together on a special day for me. It's been a tough time but I've been looking forward to this day and it was fantastic."

The Hammers will face Stoke in the next round, but Hitzlsperger also hopes the win can spur them on in the league, as they remain 19th in the table.

"This is what we needed, I think, especially by such a great margin," he said. "5-1 is a good win for us. With the games we have coming up, we're playing some really good teams so we need confidence and structure in our game.

"We can't make any mistakes because we need to climb up the table."

Manager Avram Grant was happy to see his team show some good form.

"We are the Premier League team so normally we need to win these games, but they are difficult because they are playing well and tactically they are very good," he said.

"But we played well in the second half and it was difficult for them."

West Ham were able to spring the offside trap several times and punish Burnley.

"We spoke about this at half-time because the line of the defence was too high," Grant said. "We passed the ball better in the second half and scored the goals."

Grant admitted he would happily take three points over a cup win, but he is happy to continue a confidence-boosting run.

"Our target and first priority is the league, but it's always good to come into the quarter-finals of the cup," he said.

"We want to win every game. We know in the cup you lose one game and you're out, but in the league there is always the next game to make things better."

Burnley boss Eddie Howe felt his side gave a good account of themselves early on, but once they were 2-0 down, they let the game get away from them.

"I though it could have been very different," he said. "In the first half we had our moments, we had our chances and could have scored more than one.

"West Ham are dangerous up front with the pace they have and they caught us a couple of times.

"The goal straight after half-time hurt us and then we're chasing the game and they caught us on the break a couple of times."




the mirror



West Ham 5-1 Burnley:


Der Hammer has landed with a bang at Upton Park. And it was worth the wait.

Six months late, out of character by German standards of punctuality, Thomas Hitzlsperger announced himself to West Ham with a signature rocket to book the Hammers an FA Cup quarter-final date with those football purists, Stoke City.

He opened the scoring with a thunderous shot, provided the assist for the fourth goal and Eastenders took to his Vorsprung durch Technik like pies to mash.

For the first time, the Hammers were able to field their holy trinity in midfield – Hitzlsperger, Scott Parker and Mark Noble.

And in their first home game since being made preferred bidders in the race to occupy the Olympic stadium after 2012, they discovered how difficult it will be to fill a 60,000-seater ground with measurable gaps between 35,000 seats. Ramping it up in his programme notes, West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan enthused: “A full house at Upton Park creates an atmosphere to rival any in the country.”

And so say all of us, Dave. So why are you moving to an athletics track next door to Leyton Orient?

Sullivan’s rallying call was entirely in keeping with the contradictory smoke signals of West Ham’s blighted season.

At times, manager Avram Grant’s “lucky” scarf has looked more like a noose. And we have yet to discover why it took skipper Scott Parker to deliver the half-time oration at West Bromwich Albion which turned certain defeat into a point from 3-0 down, instead of eternal optimist Grant’s sunny disposition.

On the evidence of a fitful opening 20 minutes, the Hammers did not appear to have been fired up last night, either. But from their first shot, Hitzlsperger put them in front against the run of play with a strike fit to illuminate any debut.

When he was at Aston Villa, Hitzlsperger was christened ‘Der Hammer’ by fans appreciative of his left foot. And after a serious thigh injury kept him waiting six months to make his debut in a different brand of claret and blue, he took just 23 minutes for the Hammers to take Der Hammer to their hearts.

Cutting inside marker Jack Cork 25 yards out, he unleashed a shot of such ferocity and swerve that Clarets keeper Lee Grant could only wave it high into the net.

That’s not just a left foot Thomas der Tank Engine has got there – it’s a lethal weapon.

His wonder strike should have given West Ham the confidence to prove emphatically that the jellied eel is mightier than the black pudding. But the Eastenders were indebted to Robert Green’s reflexes, which denied Jay Rodrigues, Chris Eagles and Ross Wallace, for their undeserved half-time lead.

Green’s safe hands – three consecutive words you did not read in South Africa last summer – contrasted favourably with Grant’s flap at Hitzlsperger’s rocket.

But Grant was left high and dry twice within five minutes of the restart. In the first instance, Carlton Cole was marginally offside when Mark Noble sent him clear, and the England striker finished at the second attempt.

Just 90 seconds later, the game was up for Burnley as the same pair combined and this time Cole’s finish was top corner and top drawer.

And by the time Winston Reid met Hitzlsperger’s corner with a firm header after 59 minutes, the Clarets were longing for the dark, satanic mills of Lancashire.

They could barely muster a smile when Jay Rodriguez managed a token response after a slapstick mix-up between Green and Wayne Bridge.

And in added time, Freddie Sears rounded off the win, firing home from 12 yards.





the star



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WEST HAM 5 -- BURNLEY 1

DER HAMMER has arrived at Upton Park – and he was worth the wait.


With a nickname like that, German ­international Thomas Hitzlsperger was made to play for West Ham and he showed exactly why he earned the ­monicker last night.


Given to him by Aston Villa fans during his spell at Villa Park, it was used to ­describe his ferocious long-range ­shooting, which was on full show as ­Hitzlsperger ­finally made his Hammers debut.


Sidelined for six months with a thigh injury after signing on a free transfer from Lazio last summer, the ­27-year-old midfielder scored a belter to get things going against Burnley.


Until then the Championship side had been on top, but two quick second-half strikes from Carlton Cole and a goal apiece from Winston Reid and Freddie Sears ended up settling the tie.


Jay Rodriguez did score a late ­consolation for the Clarets, which owed a lot to some comedy Hammers defending, but by the end they were well beaten.


Avram Grant’s men now travel to Stoke in the quarter finals, while Burnley must focus on winning promotion to the top tier of English football.


The Hammers were given a real scare by Nottingham Forest here in the last round and were hoping to avoid a repeat performance this time around.


But Scott Parker obviously failed to have his say in the dressing room before the game because the home side came out sluggish and sleepy from the off.


Parker got the credit for West Ham’s spectacular comeback from three goals down to earn a draw at West Brom after giving a rousing half-time team talk.


But, just like the Baggies, it was Burnley who started the brightest, with the ­underdogs’ passing game causing chaos in the first 15 minutes.


The first chance fell to Clarets striker Rodriguez, who latched on to a crafty chip from Chris Eagles and outmuscled Reid before toe-poking the ball over the bar.


Only nine places separate the two teams on the league ladder, but the difference hardly looked that big early on.


The 1914 winners were causing all sorts of problems, with Green at full stretch to tip away a rocket of a shot from the boot of Ross Wallace.


So it was totally against the run of play when Hitzlsperger unleashed the missile which gave West Ham an ­undeserved lead in the 23rd minute.


The midfielder – who has 52 caps for Germany – could not have asked for a ­better way to start his Hammers career after spending so long on the sidelines.


He cut inside a wrong-footed Jack Cork and took aim from 25 yards, curling a ­vicious left-footed shot past the flat-­footed Lee Grant in goal.


The Hammers went clay pigeon ­shooting in the run-up to this game, but there was obviously nothing wrong with ­Hitzlsperger’s aim after that strike!


It was just a shame there were so few in the stadium to witness it, as West Ham got a glimpse of how difficult it will be to fill the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium.


Hitzlsperger had been on fire in pre-season as well, so you have to wonder if things could have been different for West Ham this season had he been fit.


Having started so brightly, Burnley looked shell-shocked and it was 10 ­minutes before they managed another shot on goal, with Green parrying an ­effort from Eagles.


But it looked like game over when Cole struck twice in as many minutes at the start of the second half, though the first had a touch of good fortune about it.


Cole was marginally offside when Mark Noble played him in and when Grant came out to dive at his feet, the ball struck the striker’s arm before he slammed it home.


However, his second was a strike of pure class. Noble picked him out again and Cole took one touch before ­sidefooting coolly into the top corner.


Reid then made the score even more ­emphatic, heading home a ­Hitzlsperger corner in the 59th minute, before Burnley replied through Rodriguez.


He headed home after Green had smashed Wayne Bridge’s back pass off the back of Tyrone Mears, but Sears rubbed salt in the wounds by adding a fifth in stoppage- time.




the mail



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West Ham 5 Burnley 1: Hitz a knockout! Debut strike from German sends Hammers on their way



So that's why they call him Der Hammer. Thomas Hitzlsperger's blistering debut goal for West Ham sparked a comprehensive win as they marched into the quarter-finals.

Carlton Cole scored two, Winston Reid headed his first for West Ham and a Freddie Sears strike in stoppage time wrapped it up after Jay Rodriguez had pulled one back for Burnley.

West Ham have earned a last-eight trip to Stoke City on March 12 or 13 but manager Avram Grant will hope this was the night when, as Hitzlsperger said, 'it all came together'.

Only goal difference keeps Grant's side off the bottom of the Barclays Premier League but, with no League match until Liverpool's visit on Sunday, the Hammers gave the FA Cup the respect it deserves.

It paid off as the club seized their chance to move a step closer to Wembley after the disappointment of their Carling Cup semi-final defeat by Birmingham City.


Hitzlsperger's first competitive start, eight months after joining on a free transfer from Lazio, was the boost West Ham needed after the news that captain Matthew Upson will miss the rest of the season with an achilles injury.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a thigh injury playing for Germany in August, but he showed glimpses of why his manager believes he can be 'one of the best midfield players in the League'.

A swerving left-footed strike from 25 yards dumbfounded Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant in the 19th minute, but he also did the simple things right; tucking in on the left, receiving the ball and popping it off to the players around him as he instantly lightened the considerable burden on Scott Parker.


Hitzlsperger's impressive strike also suggested he will not have to wait as long as Sears for his second West Ham goal. The youngster went 74 games between scoring on his West Ham debut and finding the net against Wolves on New Year's Day.




MATCH FACTS

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 7; Jacobsen 5, Reid 5, Tomkins 6, Bridge 5; Sears 6, Noble 6, Parker 7, Hitzlsperger 8 (Barrera 67min, 6); Ba 6 (Piquionne 82), Cole 7 (Spector 73, 6). Subs not used: Boffin, Boa Morte, Da Costa, Hines.

BURNLEY (4-1-4-1): Grant 5; Mears 6, Carlisle 6, Duff 6, Fox 6; Marney 7 (Alexander 72, 5); Wallace 6 (Iwelumo 73, 5), Cork 6, Eagles 6 (Thompson 84), Elliott 6; Rodriguez 6. Subs not used: Jensen, Edgar, Bikey, Easton. Booked: Rodriguez, Elliott.

Man of the Match: Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Referee: Martin Atkinson 6.

Hitzlsperger said: 'It couldn't have gone much better. I am just delighted to have started with a goal. Hopefully this was a good win to get confidence going now. It has been a tough time and I have been looking forward to this day. I got a fantastic reception from the fans. It even started in the warm-up. I didn't expect that.'

Grant, who has lost only two of 14 FA Cup ties, added: 'It's very important for us to have him back. He can score from everywhere, he hits good passes and he is a very intelligent player. Reach a Cup final and stay up? Of course we can do it. I have always said that with everybody fit, we have a good team.'

Burnley, though, offered plenty of reminders this would not be an easy match for West Ham, who are just nine League places above the Championship side.

Eddie Howe's team passed the ball around with ambition and composure. Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green had to make a series of good saves - the first from Rodriguez after the 21-year-old's push on Reid; a double save from Rod Wallace and then Wade Elliott, who was belatedly flagged offside, then a long-range effort from Chris Eagles.

Burnley will feel particularly aggrieved when they see Cole's first goal again. The striker was marginally offside when Mark Noble played his pass, then a poor touch allowed Lee Grant to get a hand to it. The ball then rebounded off Cole's hand before he poked it into the net. Handball and offside - it is little wonder he allowed himself a cheeky grin as he celebrated.


But Cole redeemed himself two minutes later, sprinting on to another long diagonal ball from Noble and firing a right-footed shot into the net.

Hitzlsperger provided the corner for West Ham's fourth as Reid powered home a near-post header, then Rodriguez pulled one back when Green's attempted clearance from Wayne Bridge's backpass rebounded off Tyrone Mears.


Substitute Chris Iwelumo saw a shot cleared off the line by Reid but there was still time for Sears to score a fifth after a pass from Jonathan Spector.

Howe said: 'I thought it could have been very different. I thought we were excellent in the first half but we had a bad start to the second half. I think if we could have got the first goal it would have made all the difference.'




the mail


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It's Thomas, Der Hammer! Hitzlsperger hails debut to remember after injury agony



Thomas Hitzlsperger hailed a fantastic night for himself and West Ham after helping fire them to a 5-1 FA Cup win over Burnley on his debut.

The Germany midfielder signed for the Hammers in the summer, but injury has kept him sidelined until he started the fifth round tie at Upton Park.

Hitzlsperger grabbed the first goal with a trademark left-footed thunderbolt from the edge of the area and the Barclays Premier League strugglers went on to enjoy a confidence boosting win.



'I didn't know what to expect after such a long time out,' Hitzlsperger said. 'The manager was speaking to me before the game about whether I would play 30 minutes or start, but I'm delighted to start with a goal and an important win for us.

'It's going to bring some confidence back to the camp and that's important with the games ahead of us.'

Burnley had more than held their own before the German's 23rd minute strike. 'We knew that they're in good form in the Championship and we were well aware they would put pressure on us,' Hitzlsperger added.

'They played well at stages but it was good timing for the goal and the fact I scored, it came together on a special day for me. It's been a tough time but I've been looking forward to this day and it was fantastic.'

The Hammers will face Stoke in the next round, but Hitzlsperger also hopes the win can spur them on in the league, as they remain 19th in the table.

'This is what we needed, I think, especially by such a great margin,' he said. '5-1 is a good win for us. With the games we have coming up, we're playing some really good teams so we need confidence and structure in our game.

'We can't make any mistakes because we need to climb up the table.'

Manager Avram Grant was happy to see his team show some good form. 'We are the Premier League team so normally we need to win these games, but they are difficult because they are playing well and tactically they are very good,' he said. 'But we played well in the second half and it was difficult for them.'

West Ham were able to spring the offside trap several times and punish Burnley. 'We spoke about this at half-time because the line of the defence was too high,' Grant said. 'We passed the ball better in the second half and scored the goals.'

Grant admitted he would happily take three points over a cup win, but he is happy to continue a confidence-boosting run. 'Our target and first priority is the league, but it's always good to come into the quarter-finals of the cup,' he said. 'We want to win every game. We know in the cup you lose one game and you're out, but in the league there is always the next game to make things better.'

Burnley boss Eddie Howe felt his side gave a good account of themselves early on, but once they were 2-0 down, they let the game get away from them. 'I thought it could have been very different,' he said. 'In the first half we had our moments, we had our chances and could have scored more than one.

'West Ham are dangerous up front with the pace they have and they caught us a couple of times.

'The goal straight after half-time hurt us and then we're chasing the game and they caught us on the break a couple of times.'




the independent



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Hitzlsperger's debut strike sets West Ham on path to Cup rout

West Ham United 5 Burnley 1



Even if you are one of those famously self-assured Germany midfielders, it can be a nervous time waiting to make your debut. Thomas Hitzlsperger had to hang around six months before finally making his first West Ham appearance last night, having suffered a thigh injury while playing for Germany against Denmark in August.

But good things do indeed come to those who wait. The midfielder took less than 25 minutes of his West Ham debut to conjure a 30-yard wonder goal. It sent the London club on their way to an FA Cup quarter-final place against Stoke.

Hitzlsperger's strike quietened critics who feel he might prove an unfortunately injudicious signing because of his injury problems. The 28-year-old even added an assist, supplying Winston Reid for West Ham's fourth goal. That margin gave West Ham manager Avram Grant the luxury of substituting the German midway through the second half and the player left to a well-deserved ovation.

"I thought the fans might have forgotten about me," joked Hitzlsperger afterwards. "But they didn't."

Carlton Cole had taken the game out of the Championship side's reach with two goals in the space of a minute early in the second half, making it 3-0. However, it was still Hitzlsperger's night.

He will be an important figure in West Ham's Premier League run-in. "He was one of our best players in pre-season," said Grant. "What you saw here is not even half of what he can do."

Before kick-off, club sources rubbished reports that West Ham will be without injured centre-back Matthew Upson for the rest of the season. That was encouraging for the home side as their defence looked uneasy early on.

Burnley made a positive start but they were deflated when Hitzlsperger produced his powerful, swerving, long-range strike in the 23rd minute. That breakthrough allowed West Ham to rediscover some swagger, but Burnley had still been competitive and, at half-time, looked capable of a comeback.

Then the two Cole goals changed the game. "The result could have been very different," said Burnley's manager Eddie Howe. "We had a bad start to the half, looking shaky and West Ham took advantage."

Within three minutes of the re-start, Mark Noble created Cole's first. He lofted the ball over the top of Burnley's defence to his team-mate on the edge of the 18-yard box. Cole's first shot was blocked by goalkeeper Lee Grant but he let the ball slip out of his fingertips, allowing the West Ham striker to steer it in at the second attempt.

The game was effectively over when Cole added his second. The England striker had been lucky with his opening goal, as his first touch was not ideal, but there were no such problems this time. He sent in a powerful, long-range effort out of Grant's reach.

Then it was just a question of how many West Ham would score. The fourth came in the 59th minute when Reid took advantage of some slack marking to head in from Hitzlsperger's corner.

Grant's pleasure was temporarily tainted by a terrible mix-up between Wayne Bridge and Green. Bridge sloppily rolled the ball back for Green, whose poor clearance struck Tyrone Mears and then reached Jay Rodriguez, who headed in a 71st-minute consolation.

West Ham had the final say, though. In injury-time, Jonathan Spector chested the ball down on the edge of the box, allowing Freddie Sears to latch on to it and score with a powerful finish.

West Ham United (4-4-2): Green; Jacobsen, Reid, Tomkins, Bridge; Sears, Parker, Noble, Hitzlsperger (Barrera, 67); Cole (Spector, 73), Ba (Piquionne, 82). Substitutes not used Boffin (gk), Boa Morte, Da Costa, Hines.

Burnley (4-3-3): Grant; Mears, Duff, Carlisle, Fox; Marney (Alexander, 72), Cork, Elliott; Rodriguez, Wallace (Iwelumo, 73), Eagles (Thompson, 84). Substitutes not used Jensen (gk), Edgar, Bikey, Easton.

Referee M Atkinson (West Yorkshire).




goal.com




West Ham manager Avram Grant: We can win the FA Cup
Hammers boss admits Premier League is priority



Avram Grant believes his West Ham side can win the FA Cup after the Hammers recorded a 5-1 win over Burnley.

Monday night’s win has seen the east London club qualify for the quarter finals of the competition and Grant wants to see his team go further.

“Of course we can do it [win the FA Cup]," Grant told ESPN. "I think the players need to see for themselves, sometimes when you play football and you see our team playing – most of the games we’re playing good [football].

"In 60%-70% of the games we were better than the other teams. They see that we can do it and now we are more efficient. We are more stable, [have] less injuries, though we missed Matthew Upson today who is very good for us, and with Hitzlsperger and others coming back it is easier for us.

“Our first priority is the league, but it’s always good to get in the quarter final of the cup.

“We are coming in to every game wanting to win. In the cup we know one game [lost] and we’re out. In the league there is always the next game to make things better.

"That’s how we deal with the cup, that’s how we dealt with the Carling Cup and I think we had a good run there and now we want the same run in the FA Cup. If we win the next game we’re in the semi-final and it’s always good to be at Wembley."

Grant knew his side were going into the clash as the favourites to progress, but before the match he was sure not to write off his opponents.

He said: “We are a Premier League team and we need to win but it’s always a difficult game against this team. They are playing very well and I think they are good. In the second half we played very well so it was difficult for them.”

The West Ham boss also used the game as an indicator of his team being undeserving of their current league position, as the Hammers fight against relegation.

“I always said from the beginning of the season when everybody’s fit we have a good team to play football," he said. "Of course it’s not easy to deal with all these injuries, but I totally agree that with everybody fit we deserve more than this.

“Sometimes the players feel more relaxed when coming into cup games, in the league we are in the bottom, it’s not easy. We want to win every game – it doesn’t matter if it’s in the cup or in the league.”

Grant puts his team's recent increase in form down to key players returning from injury, including Thomas Hitzlsperger, who scored West Ham’s opener in his debut game.

He added: “It’s very important, if you saw [Hitzlsperger] play in the preparation games before the league you can understand why he’s such a good player. He can score from everywhere, [plays] good passes, [he is a] very, very intelligent player – he’s not the same like he was before but it’s only his first game. He is a player that’s very important.”

Tactically Grant’s team followed his instructions this evening and the manager hails his team for their efforts in the tie

He highlighted the Hammers’ passing as being a key component of their win, helping them to exploit a high Burnley back line who couldn’t match pace with the West Ham players.

Grant said: “We spoke about this because the line of the [Burnley] defence was too high. We passed the ball very well in the first half but not so many times forward. We did it in the second half and we scored good goals.

“That’s how we wanted to play today, with three midfielders that can go forwards and pass the ball – this is our way and they did well. I think the forwards played well, the movement was good, especially in the second half.”

Grant conceded that on occasion his job can be stressful, but pointed out that he wouldn’t have it any other way and is looking forward to the rest of the season.

The ex-Chelsea and Portsmouth boss said: “We can choose whether to be in this job or not to be in this. I prefer to be in this job. It’s always good to win, it’s not an easy season for us but it’s a good challenge.”
Last edited by cockney hammer on Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by beckton »

Cheers CH. :thup:
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Thanks CH.
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Top man CH. Saves me buying the papers :thup:
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

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Cheers man
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

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Cheers ch! It feels so good reading the articles with a smile this morning :)
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

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Cheers as always CH 8-)
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by tugboatpete »

A round up of last nights team

ba---- excellent movement
cole -bone idol
reid-out of his depth and a liability
sears- sub
hitz nob and parker- good
tompkins-getting better

hopefully obina will be back for sunday instead of sears and i would rather see piq instead of cole
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

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Image

:lol:
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by damiant »

cheers ch,

not to sure why reid got rated a 5 when we only conceded one goal and it was a mix up between bridge and greeno
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by Kitt the car »

damiant wrote:cheers ch,

not to sure why reid got rated a 5 when we only conceded one goal and it was a mix up between bridge and greeno
He did make a few mistakes during the game that could have cost us, personally didnt think he looked that strong last night compared to recent performances


Cheers CH for the news.
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by PrinceH »

damiant wrote:cheers ch,

not to sure why reid got rated a 5 when we only conceded one goal and it was a mix up between bridge and greeno
At least his goal was an 8 and his impossible save on the goal-line an 11.
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by psychoscoredthelot »

ba a 6

thought he played better than that

the keeper has got to go - doesnt command his area enough, I am beggining to blame him for the whole season now
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by Cambs Iron »

psychoscoredthelot wrote:ba a 6

thought he played better than that

the keeper has got to go - doesnt command his area enough, I am beggining to blame him for the whole season now
:shock:

Cheers CH
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by HammerMan2004 »

psychoscoredthelot wrote: the keeper has got to go - doesnt command his area enough, I am beggining to blame him for the whole season now
That's the 2nd post this morning that's made me doubt your sanity...
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

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Thanks CH :thup:
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Cheers CH :crest:
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham

Post by cockney hammer »

Real Madrid have joined Manchester City and Manchester United in the race to sign highly rated Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.
Full story: Daily Mail

French midfielder Samir Nasri has revealed he could quit Arsenal for Barcelona in the summer - if the Gunners win the title.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Barcelona's out-of-favour defender Gabriel Milito and hope to snap him up for free in the summer.
Full story: talkSPORT

Manchester United have set their sites on CSKA Moscow keeper Igor Akinfeev as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who is retiring at the end of the season.
Full story: Footylatest

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wants to form a dream centre-back partnership between David Luiz, who arrived from Benfica in January, and Borussia Dortmund's Serbian star Neven Subotic.
Full story: talkSPORT

Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar and Barcelona winger Alexander Hleb, who is on loan at Birmingham, are both wanted by newly promoted Russian Premier League team Krasnodar.
Full story: Daily Mail

Former Liverpool and Sunderland star Djibril Cisse, now with Panathinaikos, says he will definitely leave Greece in the summer after alleging he was attacked by Olympiakos fans at the weekend.
Full story: Daily Mail

OTHER GOSSIP

Manchester United midfielder Anderson could be out for two months after suffering his second knee injury in the last 12 months in Saturday's FA Cup win over Crawley.
Full story: Guardian

Former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, the most expensive British player in history, is ahead of schedule in his attempt to return to fitness after a thigh injury and could even make his Liverpool debut this weekend against West Ham.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims forward Andrey Arshavin is close to rediscovering his best form for the Gunners after a below-par season so far.
Full story: Metro

Midfielder Yaya Toure believes Manchester City can be bigger and better than Barcelona within two years.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has confirmed he is speaking to the club about signing a new contract.
Full story: Metro

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says it would be "a miracle" if his side managed to finish in the top four of the Premier League for a second season running.
Full story: the Guardian

Everton captain Phil Neville concedes the club's season had been "a disgrace" before Saturday's FA Cup win over Chelsea.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Stoke's Matty Etherington could miss Wednesday's game against Arsenal because a jaw alignment problem is giving him back problems.
Full story: The Sun

Celtic striker Gary Hooper is playing well enough to put himself into England contention, says the man who gave him his start at non-league Grays Athletic, manager Mark Stimson. (Daily Record)

Rangers' El-Hadji Diouf insists Sunday's 3-0 Old Firm defeat was a one-off and that they will still beat Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title.
Full story: Daily Record

AND FINALLY

Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara - currently on loan at Wolves - believes his girlfriend Danielle Lloyd, who is moving up to Birmingham with their baby son, is the key to helping him settle at the Midlands club as they battle against relegation.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Scientists at the University of Portsmouth say managers who wear suits on match days and tracksuits for training inspire their players to perform better.
Full story: Daily Telegraph






If you live in the Walton area of Liverpool, you may have noticed several beige-trenchcoat-wearing Spanish snoopers wandering around the vicinity of Goodison Park. But don't fear, they're not out to get you.

They are there because, as the Sun reveals today, "Jose Mourinho has instructed Real Madrid spies to compile a dossier on Everton starlet Jack Rodwell."

Yes, José's got spies, but it's not quite like the KGB, you see. José's got spies, but it's not quite like the CIA, no way. José's got spies, but it's not quite like the MI6, sixty-six. Jose's got spies, but it's not espionage that makes him tick. Oh no, it's talented teenage midfielders that the Special One wants, and he's prepared to fight off rival interest from Manchester City and Manchester United to get his man.

In other Spanish-giant-fancies-ball-playing-Premier-League-midfielder-news, Samir Nasri is interesting Barcelona, though there's no word on whether the Catalan club has sent out their dossier-compiling spies to look at the 23-year-old French schemer. Arsenal, meanwhile, have irked Barça by making a move for Jon Miquel Toral Harper, a 16-year-old in the Spanish club's academy.

And in today's final piece of Iberian tittle-tattle Aston Villa are weighing up a move for the Barcelona stopper Gabriel Milito. The Argentinian is out of contract in the summer and may prove a cheaper alternative to Gérard Houllier's other defensive target, Montpellier's Emir Spahic.

Nouveau-riche Russian Premier League side FC Krasnodar are keen on Tottenham's Niko Kranjcar, presumably with the eventual aim of creating a side compiled only on players whose surnames begin in the same way as the club's. Expect a move for Juventus wideman Milos Krasic in the near future, corporate entertainment to be provided by the Krankies and all cheese slices at the Kuban Stadium to be provided by Kraft.

In today's paragraph concerned only with speculation involving potential £9m transfers, Tottenham are chasing £9m-rated Lorient midfielder Kevin Gamiero, while Wolfsburg want to sign Liverpool's Daniel Agger. For £9m. Blackburn Rovers want Udinese's Slovenian goalkeeper Samir Handanovic to replace Paul Robinson next season, while Chelsea are considering a £20m summer bid for Dortmund's Neven Subotic.








Jose Mourinho has told Real Madrid spies to compile a dossier on Everton's Jack Rodwell, while Aston Villa want Barcelona star Gabriel Milito.
.Defiant Carlo Ancelotti came out fighting last night and insisted Chelsea's season is far from dead.
Samir Nasri has revealed he could quit Arsenal if they win the title - for Barcelona.
Andy Carroll could make a dramatic return from injury this weekend.
Rio Ferdinand will not travel with Manchester United to Marseille.
Former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has vowed to quit Greek football after being assaulted by fans.
Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier says Stiliyan Petrov's place in the team is not guaranteed. And he's considering a summer move for Barcelona's Gabriel Milito.
Yaya Toure believes Manchester City can be bigger than Barcelona in two years.
Manchester City are ready to call back goalkeeper David Gonzalez from a loan deal at Leeds United - amid fears that Shay Given is out for the season.
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has snubbed a move to Cardiff because he's desperate to prove boss Roberto Martinez wrong.
..Arsenal and Barcelona are locked in a bitter bust-up that is souring the relations between the Champions League rivals.
Carlo Ancelotti came out swinging last night and declared: "Chelsea are not dead."
Portsmouth skipper Aaron Mokoena is raring to go again after sorting out a blunder over his work permit.
Liverpool may have Andy Carroll on the bench for the first time on Sunday.
Manchester United midfielder Anderson faces up to two months out.
Yaya Toure claims Manchester City could be better than Barcelona in a couple of years.
Micky Adams admits managing Sheffield United has turned out to be a bigger task than he expected.
..Carlo Ancelotti fought his way out of the gloom last night to insist Chelsea were still "alive" and aiming for a Champions League triumph at Wembley that would be the greatest day in the club's history.
Manchester United have been dealt a blow ahead of their Champions League tie at Marseille as midfielder Anderson has been ruled out for two months.
Liverpool have warned Juventus they will not allow Alberto Aquilani to leave on the cheap.
Gerard Houllier will try to tempt Barcelona defender Gabriel Milito to join Aston Villa in the summer.
Arsenal are weighing up a move for Feyenoord defender Stefan de Vrij.
Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar is wanted by Russian Premier League side Krasnodar.
Djibril Cisse will seek a return to the Premier League after being beaten up on the pitch by racist thugs.
Jose Mourinho has instructed Real Madrid spies to compile a dossier on Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.
..Jose Mourinho has dropped the heaviest hint yet he would consider a return to Chelsea as he admitted he still loves the club.
Gerard Houllier has no plans to boot Stiliyan Petrov out of Aston Villa despite interest from Galatasaray.
Birmingham are giving a trial to US midfielder Alejandro Bedoya.
..Carlo Ancelotti will leave Chelsea and return to Italy in the summer.
Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade is willing to sell FA Cup hero Jonathan Tehoue - for £1million!
Samir Nasri admits he could quit Arsenal if Arsene Wenger's men win the title.
Yaya Toure reckons Manchester City can become bigger and better than Barcelona.
..John Terry insists that Carlo Ancelotti should not be sacked as manager of Chelsea even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
..John Terry effectively swung open the doors of the Chelsea dressing room last night to declare it was time for the players "to man up and take responsibility".
..John Terry last night warned Chelsea and Roman Abramovich against sacking their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, in an appeal for stability at the club amid their desperate run of results.
Mario Balotelli was frustrated with himself, rather than his manager, when he left the field after an hour of Manchester City's FA Cup win over Notts County, having felt that he should not have missed out on goals.
..John Terry has flung his support behind the Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and urged his team-mates to "man up and take responsibility" to ensure their season does not peter out in a "disastrous" failure to qualify for the Champions League.
..Beram Kayal has urged Celtic powerbrokers to hand Neil Lennon a new contract and let him build up a dynasty of domination at Parkhead.
Fraser Forster insists he's loving life at Celtic so much he hasn't even thought about heading back to boyhood heroes Newcastle.
....







THE INDEPENDENT: John Terry last night warned Chelsea and Roman Abramovich against sacking their manager, Carlo Ancelotti, in an appeal for stability at the club amid their desperate run of results. ALSO: Mario Balotelli was frustrated with himself, rather than his manager, when he left the field after an hour of Manchester City's FA Cup win over Notts County, having felt that he should not have missed out on goals.

THE GUARDIAN: John Terry has flung his support behind the Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, and urged his team-mates to "man up and take responsibility" to ensure their season does not peter out in a "disastrous" failure to qualify for the Champions League. ALSO: The often raucously divided world of Formula One offered up a quiet sigh of collective relief at the news that the Bahrain Grand Prix had been cancelled, even though that could result in the season dragging into December.

DAILY EXPRESS: Jose Mourinho has dropped the heaviest hint yet he would consider a return to Chelsea as he admitted he still loves the club. ALSO: Gennaro Gattuso has been banned for four matches after UEFA ruled he had "assaulted" Tottenham coach Joe Jordan.

DAILY MAIL: Carlo Ancelotti fought his way out of the gloom last night to insist Chelsea were still "alive" and aiming for a Champions League triumph at Wembley that would be the greatest day in the club's history. ALSO: The Bahrain Grand Prix has been called off after the Arab state's rulers admitted it was too dangerous to stage the opening race of the Formula One season on March 13 due to continued political unrest.

DAILY MIRROR: Defiant Carlo Ancelotti came out fighting last night and insisted Chelsea's season is far from dead. ALSO: Andy Carroll could make a dramatic return from injury this weekend.

THE SUN: Arsenal and Barcelona are locked in a bitter bust-up that is souring the relations between the Champions League rivals. ALSO: Carlo Ancelotti came out swinging last night and declared: "Chelsea are not dead."

DAILY STAR: Carlo Ancelotti will leave Chelsea and return to Italy in the summer. ALSO: Carlton Cole fired West Ham into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after sinking Burnley with two goals in two minutes.
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Re: tuesday's gossip 22nd feb includes west ham updated

Post by Muddy »

Cheers CH.
It's good to finnaly read about good news.
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