FA Premiership
West Ham United 4-2 Blackburn Rovers 

Saturday, 28th January 2006
by Gordon Thrower

Right everyone pay attention because we’ve got a lot to get through today. The menu includes no fewer than six goals, including one after 28 seconds, a penalty and an own goal, the lights going on and off at one end of the ground and the mysterious disappearance of 10,000 football supporters. Quite how I’m going to find time to give a mention to CJ, kumb’s official mascot and chief grammar critic I have no idea. I expect I’ll think of something.



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Player Ratings

Shaka Hislop
Early on when we were far from our best he seemed to be very reluctant to leave his line. However he pulled of three really good saves to keep us in the match at crucial moments.


Christian Dailly
Started of a little shakily, possibly not helped by the attitude of those who insisted on jeering his every move during the early exchanges. Happily he settled down and turned in a fine performance and it was noticeable that the applause at his efforts was drowning out the less content elements of the crowd.


Paul Konchesky
Hasn?EUR(TM)t been at his best of late and his part in the early goal suggested that this run of form might continue. Happily, like Dailly, he recovered from his start to put in a decent show.


Danny Gabbidon
Another fine effort. Best buy of the season in my opinion.


Anton Ferdinand
Another one who might be deemed culpable when backing off for the first goal. Played well after that.


Hayden Mullins
A typical Mullins performance. Came in. got his foot in, laid it off. Time and time again. Unfortunate to see Friedel save his early shot and his interception led to the fourth.


Nigel Reo-Coker
Took a while after the early shock to get into things but improved no end as the game wore on.


Matthew Etherington
Probably his best run out of the season. As his confidence grew during the match he became more and more adventurous ?EUR" the goal gave him a big boost as well.


Yossi Benayoun
Some good touches from the freshly-shorn Israeli, whose ball into Zamora for the second goal was the very personification of intelligence. Worked hard off the ball as well.


Teddy Sheringham
Played a useful part in the team?EUR(TM)s link play throughout the match. Lovely penalty though I may have to up the blood pressure prescription if he?EUR(TM)s going to do that too many times this season.


Bobby Zamora
Outstanding run out for one of those who must be looking over his shoulder at the arrival of Ashton. Led the line excellently, set up Matty?EUR(TM)s goal, won the penalty for the first, and capped an all-round fine effort with his first home goal of the season.



Substitutes

Marlon Harewood
(Replaced Sheringham, 71) Looked like a man with a big point to prove during his 20 minute run out. Ashton may find it difficult to break into the side if he has his way.


Yaniv Katan
(Replaced Zamora, 78) Not really on for long enough to contribute to proceedings in a game that was effectively dead by time he got on.


Carl Fletcher
(Replaced Benayoun, 82) Fletch?EUR(TM)s introduction appeared to be more of an exercise in running the clock down than anything else ?EUR" no real time to affect the result.


Stephen Bywater
Did not play.


Shaun Newton
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Shaka Hislop, Christian Dailly, Paul Konchesky, Danny Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Reo-Coker, Matthew Etherington, Yossi Benayoun, Teddy Sheringham, Bobby Zamora.

Goals: Teddy Sheringham 33 Matthew Etherington 37 Zura Khizanishvili og 59 Bobby Zamora 73            .

Booked: Christian Dailly 17          .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Blackburn Rovers: Friedel; Neill, Todd, Khizanishvili, Gray; Mokoena, Reid, Savage, Pedersen; Bentley, Kuqi.

Subs not used: Enckleman, Nelsen.

Goals: Bentley (1), Neill (65).

Booked: None booked..

Sent off: None.

Referee: M. Atkinson.

Attendance: 23,700.

Man of the Match: Bobby Zamora.