Premier League
West Ham United 3-1 Newcastle United 

Saturday, 20th September 2008
by Gordon Thrower

That was fun wasn’t it. The fixtures against Newcastle are particular favourites of mine. In the past the Gnome playing career was partly spent playing for a well-known financial institution in a side that consisted of some players many of whom were winding down their own careers, with the addition of a few youngsters (as I was back then) to do all the running around. It was a fine group of reprobates most of whom remain firm friends nearly 30 years later.



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Barely tested, made two comfortable saves just after they scored but they weren?EUR(TM)t the most testing of shots.


Julien Faubert
A fine game. Not given the hardest of days but looks much better in this position.


Herita Ilunga
Continued on from where he left off at West Brom. Solid defensively and played some fine balls down the line.


Lucas Neill
Mugged by Owen for the goal but otherwise comfortable.


Matthew Upson
Kept Xisco very quiet. A fairly easy afternoon really.


Scott Parker
Best game in ages for the midfielder. Hopefully the knock that saw him withdrawn is nothing serious.


Mark Noble
Revelled in the extra responsibility that a 3-man midfield brought him. Some decent passes too.


Valon Behrami
A lot of hard work ?EUR" much of it un-noticed by most.


Matthew Etherington
Another who enjoyed a new role. It suited him and the goal was deserved.


David Di Michele
A typical West Ham player in that he delights and infuriates in equal amounts. Spot of luck for the first. Good work for the second. Should have had a third.


Carlton Cole
Held the ball up superbly and, whilst he didn?EUR(TM)t score, he worked his socks off throughout.



Substitutes

Hayden Mullins
(replaced Parker, 72) Replaced the impressive Parker but slotted in well and even found time to play some decent passes.


Luis Boa Morte
(replaced Etherington, 73) Ought to have scored but his confidence is clearly at a low ebb at the moment.


Fred Sears
(replaced Cole, 87) Full of running and might have got a penalty had the ref spotted Coloccini?EUR(TM)s sneaky trip.


Jan Lastuvka
Did not play.


Calum Davenport
Did not play.


Walter Lopez
Did not play.


Kyel Reid
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Julien Faubert, Herita Ilunga, Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Mark Noble, Valon Behrami, Matthew Etherington, David Di Michele, Carlton Cole.

Goals: David Di Michele 9 David Di Michele 37 Matthew Etherington 53              .

Booked: Lucas Neill 51          .

Sent off: None.

Newcastle United: Given, Edgar, Taylor, N'Zogbia, Coloccini, Geremi, Cacapa, Butt, Duff, Owen, Xisco.

Subs not used: Harper, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson, Ameobi.

Goals: Owen (67).

Booked: Kim (71).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Phil Dowd.

Attendance: 34,743.

Man of the Match: Carlton Cole.