Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Cardiff City 

Saturday, 17th August 2013
by Gordon Thrower

Ah the start of the season. As Roger Waters put it when writing stuff that also involved crossed Hammers “that warm thrill of confusion”, (though to be honest it’s hard to imagine Romford for one ever admitting to “that space-cadet glow).



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Player Ratings

Jussi Jaaskelainen



Guy Demel
Not much to do defensively and he contributed well on the attacking side of things. Some nice signs of a proper understanding with Cole beginning to develop.


Joey O’Brien
He?EUR(TM)ll have tougher afternoons but coped perfectly well with the little that Cardiff gave him to deal with. Roland might have to wait a bit.


Winston Reid
Pick of the defence. Seems to have carried on where he left off after last season. Barely a foot wrong.


James Colins
A typically unfussy display from Ginge. Distribution not his strong point but there again that?EUR(TM)s not what he?EUR(TM)s there for.


Mo Diame
Busy bustling display from the big fellah. Played a major part in both goals.


Mark Noble
A quietly efficient 90 minutes. A couple of needless fouls given away ?EUR" something he?EUR(TM)ll have to watch.


Joe Cole
Fine finish for his goal. Could possibly have added another one or two. Less influential in the second half.


Matt Jarvis
Set up the first goal and looked lively ?EUR" though he can only perform if he gets the service that became less forthcoming as the match progressed in the second half.


Kevin Nolan
Looking back through the match report I barely mention the skipper. This was basically because his work was largely performed off the ball. The closing down, chasing back and generally running his legs off were all a major contribution to the victory, if not an obvious one. I, what was a fine team performance it?EUR(TM)s difficult to single anyone out for MOTM and it?EUR(TM)s a toss up between Nolan and Reid for the honour. It came down heads. Sorry Winston.


Modibo Maiga
Difficult for the lad as, when we play him in on the deck he looks useful. Did a lot of useful chasing down, though he was a little too ponderous in getting back onside on occasion for my liking.



Substitutes

Stewart Downing
Nice little cameo from the new-boy who seems to have a point to prove.


Alou Diarra
Came in to do a holding job for the last ten or so. Did ok.


Ricardo Vaz Te
Might have done better with a late shot but otherwise given little time to have much of an effect.


Adrian
Did not play.


Razvan Rat
Did not play.


James Tomkins
Did not play.


Ravel Morrison
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Jussi Jaaskelainen, Guy Demel, Joey O’Brien, Winston Reid, James Colins, Mo Diame, Mark Noble, Joe Cole, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan, Modibo Maiga.

Goals: Joe Cole 13 Kevin Nolan 76                .

Booked: None booked.           .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Cardiff City: David Marshall, Matthew Connolly, Steven Caulker, Ben Turner, Declan John, Gary Medel, Aron Gunnarsson, Peter Whittingham, Bo-Kyung Kim, Fraizer Campbell.

Subs not used: Mark Hudson, Don Cowie, Tommy Smith, Joe Lewis.

Goals: None.

Booked: None booked..

Sent off: None.

Referee: Howard Webb.

Attendance: 34,977.

Man of the Match: Kevin Nolan.