West Ham United 3 Middlesbrough 0

  • by Matthew O'Greel
  • Saturday, 15th September 2007

West Ham recorded their first home win of the season against a distinctly lacklustre 'Boro side at Upton Park this afternoon.

Second half goals from Lee Bowyer, Dean Ashton and an oggie from 'Boro's Luke Young earned United a second successive 3-0 win.

The win - which lifts the Hammers into fifth place in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal - was never in doubt from the moment Lee Bowyer gave Alan Curbishley's side the lead in the opening minute of the second period.

Carlton Cole - on as a 26th minute substitute for the injured Craig Bellamy - found Bowyer lurking on the edge of the box. The midfielder finished superbly into the bottom right corner despite the close attention of two 'Boro defenders.

Four minutes later and United's lead was doubled. Once again Cole was instrumental, as his attempted pass across the penalty box to Matthew Etherington was expertly diverted into his own net by Luke Young.

Dean Ashton completed the scoring 13 minutes later when he finished a fine flowing move which began with a Hayden Mullins pass to Matthew Etherington wide on the left flank.

Etherington delivered the perfect cross - behind the defence and across the line of the six yard box - and Ashton stole in at the far post to notch his first of the season.

Carlton Cole could have added a fourth late on when put clean through with only Schwarzer to beat, but his weak effort dribbled wide of the mark when it seemed harder to miss - a shame, as his efforts were fully deserving of a goal.

Amongst the goals for the home side were a bunch of humourous efforts by the hapless visitors who had one of those afternoons they would wish to forget - and none more so than new signing Tuncay (Sanli) who missed three absolute sitters, much to the amusement of a happy home crowd.

Next up for the Hammers is the visit to Newcastle next Sunday ...

West Ham United: Green, Neill, McCartney, Collins, Upson, Mullins, Noble, Bowyer, Etherington (Boa Morte 78), Bellamy (Cole 26), Ashton (Ljungberg 81).

Subs not used: Wright, Gabbidon.

Goals: Bowyer (46), Young og (49), Ashton (62).

Booked: McCartney (50), Ljungberg (85).

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Taylor (Davis 83), Woodgate, Boateng, Rochemback (O'Neil 68), Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Tuncay 30), Mido.

Subs not used: Jones, Lee.

Booked: Tuncay (68).

Referee: Steve Bennett.

Attendance: tbc.

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