Premier LeagueWest Ham United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday, 26th September 2010
by Gordon Thrower
Those of you who bother to read these ramblings (and I am assured that somebody once did) might be forgiven for assuming that today's write up is being prepared through a combination of severe headache and other hangover-related symptoms. Not so.
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Robert GreenI think I vaguely recall him coming for one cross in the first half that he didn't look too convinced about. However the four proper saves he pulled off were breathtaking. There were a number of candidates for MOTM this week but given the rubbish that he's had to put up with since the summer, on balance I think I'll give it to our custodian.
Lars Jacobsen
It certainly makes a difference having a proper full-back in that slot. Solid in defence and supports the attack well ?EUR" a nice little right side partnership with Dyer developing there if Dyer can stay fit/well.
Danny Gabbidon
Kept Lennon very quiet with the exception of the one run that ultimately produced Green's wonder save. One might think he'd let him past deliberately so that Green could show off!
Matthew Upson
Benefits immesurably from having a strong partner alongside him. Like Da Costa. I believe that Grant may have, at last, settled upon our best central defensive pairing.
Manuel Da Costa
His absence from the team at the start of the season was something that baffled me a bit. His type of player brings the best out of Upson and he had a fine match in his own right.
Scott Parker
Mark Noble
It wasn't all that long ago that the received wisdom was that Noble and Parker couldn't play together. They look like they work well together to me. Unlucky not to score and sent over some excellent corners ?EUR" including the one that led to the goal.
Luis Boa Morte
Excellent work-rate ?EUR" ran his socks off and, if his distribution was occasionally less than perfect, this shouldn't detract from what was a fine match.
Keiron Dyer
Possibly the unluckiest player in football. Gets back to full fitness, has a decent 40 minutes then succumbs to a stomach bug.
Victor Obinna
Strong candidate for MOTM ?EUR" full of running and a constant worry to the Spurs defence. His corners are a bit variable though.
Frederic Piquionne
I like the look of the Piquionne/Obinna partnership. He was one of the few players to impress in a wretched season at Fratton Park last year and his form has carried over to this term. If only he were a few years younger!
Substitutes
Pablo Barrera(Replaced Dyer, 42 mins) Took over from where Dyer left off. Some fine tricky runs from deep not only relieved what little pressure there might have been but also set up some decent chances.
Carlton Cole
(Replaced Piquionne, 64 mins) Provided a different sort of outlet to Piquionne who he replaced. Very harshly booked for being wrestled to the ground by a defender.
Radoslav Kovac
(Replaced Obinna, 89 mins) Replaced Obinna at the end in an attempt to run down the clock. Not sure if he actually touched the ball.
Marek Stech
Did not play.
Tal Ben Haim
Did not play.
Julien Faubert
Did not play.
Benni McCarthy
Did not play.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Robert Green, Lars Jacobsen, Danny Gabbidon, Matthew Upson, Manuel Da Costa, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Luis Boa Morte, Keiron Dyer, Victor Obinna, Frederic Piquionne.Goals: Frederic Piquionne 29 .
Booked: Luis Boa Morte 38 Carlton Cole 90 .
Sent off: None.
Tottenham Hotspur: Cudicini, Hutton, Corluka, Bassong, Bale, Lennon, Jenas, Huddlestone, Modric, Van der Vaart, Crouch.
Subs not used: Pletikosa, Palacios, Sandro, Kranjcar.
Goals: None.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
Attendance: 34,190.
Man of the Match: Robert Green.