West Ham United 0 Manchester City 0
Saturday, 21st September 2002
by Graeme Howlett
West Ham put an end to their three match run of consecutive defeats with a goalless draw against Manchester City at Upton Park this afternoon - but it will be the away side who return home much the happier.
The Hammers entered the game with one notable absentee - Christian Dailly, lambasted by supporters and Bertie Vogts alike in the past week or so was dropped competely, not even making the bench.Seb Schemmel, who suffered a similar fate last weekend was back however, with Paolo Di Canio retaining his place up front, leaving Jermain Defoe once again on the bench.
For the visitors former Hammers Kevin Horlock, Eyal Berkovic and Marc-Vivien Foe were on display; Berkovic's every touch was booed and often accompanied by chants of 'there's only one Johnny Hartson', recalling the pairs training ground spat whilst both at the club.
City, who before the game were still looking for their first point on their travels this season seemed quite content to play out for a draw - although their cause was helped somewhat by a Hammers side clearly lacking in confidence in the final third of the field.
On several occasions some excellent interplay led to good chances for Roeder's men, but time after time the Hammers were denied by a combination of solid defending and a tendency to over elaborate in front of goal.
Clear cut chances were few and far between, but the majority fell to the Hammers. Joe Cole was guilty of spurning the first opportunity of the game; after some clever footwork his final shot from 10 yards was weak. Symptomatic of his season thus far, it could be said.
At the other end David James had to be alert to twice deny Nicolas Anelka within the space of 5 minutes; the Frenchman enjoying the better of the early exchanges with the Hammers central defensive pairing Gary Breen - watched by Eire manager Mick McCarthy - and Tomas Repka.
As the first half progressed the Hammers began to take a tighter grip on the game, and with a full voiced Boleyn crowd urging the team on the first goal began to look inevitable. Edouard Cisse should have at least tested Schmeichel after some excellent work on the edge of the City box, but an unnecessary extra touch on the ball meant the chance had gone.
With the scores level at the break, the initiative was on the Hammers to come out attacking. And so they did - but it nearly cost them dear when a quick City counter-attack on the hour mark left Anelka through on goal with only David James to beat. Fortunately James spread himself superbly, and his right foot was strong enough to divert the Frenchman's goalbound shot to safety.
That scare was the last to worry the Hammers - for the remainder of the game Roeder's side were the only one to look like scoring - albeit on all too few occasions.
Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe replaced Edouard Cisse and the tiring Paolo Di Canio on 70 minutes in an attempt to produce a winner, but they too failed to make much of an impact against a resolute City defence.
Even Ian Pearce's late entry as an emergency centre-forward failed to break the deadlock, and the game ended a stalemate much to the disappointment of a frustrated Boleyn crowd, who still await the first home win of the season.
As a result the Hammers remain firmly rooted to the bottom of the Premiership table - with a daunting trip to in-form Chelsea to come next weekend.
Player ratings
David James 7 England's number one made two vital saves which kept the Hammers in the game; first the aforementioned stop from Niclas Anelka, then the save from Wright-Phillips which he dove full length to turn around the post. On the negative side there was still the odd example of 'flapping', but overall it was another competent performance from James.
Sebastien Schemmel 5 Much has been said about Schemmel's unexplained absence from the side which lost 3-2 at Spurs last week, but today only confirmed rumours of a real dip in form. Gone was the swashbuckling style of last season which endured supporters to him, replaced instead today by a nervous performance which, it can be argued embodied that of the whole side. One explanation for his recent run of poor displays may be that he no longer plays directly behind Trevor Sinclair, who, for reasons known only to Glenn Roeder and his coaching staff has been playing mainly on the left side of midfield this season. The two forged a successful partnership - especially at the Boleyn - last season, but this year Schemmel has enjoyed very limited success.
Scott Minto 6 Surprisingly installed as Roeder's latest defensive switch, forgotten man Minto replaced Nigel Winterburn on the left hand side of defence. Overall it can be said that he had a fairly good game, although that may not have been so had City profited on an almost suicidal early defensive error. Urged to press forward whenever possible he may have even notched a goal or two, has he made better of a couple of gilt-edged opportunities.
Gary Breen 7 Breen began his Hammers career with a poor display at Spurs last week, but he was far more solid and commanding today. Yes, there were one or two hairy moments for the Irish international but to dwell on those would perhaps be a little harsh. Particularly impressive was the way he positively encouraged the rest of his defence throughout the game, and his rapport with David James - another well-renowned talker - may well be vital . Breen may not be the world's most cultured defender, but he certainly gives everything he has - and that will only endear him to a Hammers crowd crying out for a bit of passion. Had to be a defender to win Man of the Match on a day like today - and Gary just about edged it.
Tomas Repka 7 Cool, calm and (mainly) collective, this was the burly Czech's perfect answer to the critics who have panned the ??5m defender in recent weeks. After passing a late fitness test (made necessary by the injury sustained at Spurs last week) Repka survived the defensive cull which claimed former partner Christian Dailly - left out of the squad today, and therefore missing his first game since the beginning of last season. As with all his fellow defenders there were glimpses of the kind of defensive frailties which have given rise to recent criticism, but all in all this was a much better performance. Happiest in a 4-4-2, it would appear.
Trevor Sinclair 5 Despite making fleeting appearances on the right, Sinclair spent the majority of the game once again out of position on the left flank. Whatever Roeder and Sven Goran Eriksson may think this is not Sinclair's better side and one wonders why his manager insists on playing him there (could it be that there is nobody else who Roeder believes can?), especially taking into consideration his recent run of unimpressive performances. Despite those problems there were one or two moments of magic, but the cutting edge was clearly lacking.
Joe Cole 7 Buzzed around like the proverbial bee did our Joe, but yet again much promise was spoilt by the end product. Once his first chance - a weak shot after a typically mazy run - had gone begging early on the tone for the afternoon was set, and it was a frustrating afternoon for Cole. As with Sinclair, his playing out of position hinders his natural game and could be another factor in the Hammers disappointing start to the season. However, there can be little argument that pound for pound young Joe has been our most consistent performer so far this season.
Edouard Cisse 6 Another frustrating afternoon for the Frenchman; Cisse once again showed some exquisite skill whilst winning his fair share of tackles against a strong City midfield, but as with many of his teammates there was something missing from the end product. His style is much like that of fellow countryman Freddie Kanoute; lazy, languid and relaxed even at times, offering the impression that he isn't fully committed. Clearly still finding his feet in the Premiership it may be time for Cisse to spend a little time on the bench.
Steve Lomas 6 Clearly up for it against his old side Lomas battled well in the vital midfield battle, but there was little of the end product that earned him many plaudits at the tail end of last season. Another player returning from injury who may be less than 100%, Steve's current lack of form is typical of the whole team, with just one or two exceptions.
Paolo Di Canio 6 Much has been said about the value of Di Canio to the side in recent months, but any fans present at the two games he has played this season would be hard pushed to deny he still has a major contribution to make. Creator of both goals at Tottenham last weekend, there were some unequalled moments of skill which still, after 3 years, manage to raise a collective gasp of amazement from the crowd. One or two penalty shouts could have gone either way, but Di Canio was to eventually share the frustrations of his fellow team mates. Visibly tiring late on he was replaced by Jermain Defoe, much to the unhappiness of a the majority in The Boleyn - which leads us nicely on to ...
Freddie Kanoute 6 Never has a player divided supporters opinion as much. One argument suggests that the Frenchman is almost lazy, with more than a touch of the Paulo Wanchope's about him. Yet another - supported by Glenn Roeder - sees the young striker as an integral part of the side, offering a range of options - such as possessing the ability to hold the ball up - unfound in the rest of the squad. Today those divisions were clear inside the Boleyn, with Kanoute heckled by a large contingent of the crowd. What for? True, it wasn't one of his better games, but some of the abuse aimed at him was astonishing; he must have well and truly felt the ire of his detractors in much the same way as Wanchope, Impey and (dare I say it) Clyde Best have before him, in what can only be described as the Hammers fans unique desire to identify a fall guy, a player to blame for all the teams ills. Quite how this can help Kanoute - who is the club's top scorer this season - and the rest of the team, one can only wonder. Surely it's better to support the lad for as long as he wears claret and blue?
Jermain Defoe 6 Given just twenty minutes or so to make an impact, Defoe had barely warmed up before the final whistle was blown. Restricted to one or two interesting runs the teenager failed to emulate his appearances from the bench last season, which often resulted with a goal to his name. Still yet to get off the mark this season.
Michael Carrick 7 Clearly backed by the supportive Boleyn crowd Carrick showed touches of the kind of football we all know he is capable of after making his entrance midway through the second half as a replacement for Edouard Cisse. Although he failed to get forward he sprayed the ball around beautifully, and must surely have a claim for a starting berth once again, given the ineffectiveness of Cisse and Lomas at present.
Ian Pearce 6 It was like the good old days all over again when Roeder threw big Pearcey on as an emergency striker in an attempt to snatch a dramatic late winner. Of course, Ian used to play up front for Chelsea in his early days, and has scored the odd belter at West Ham. Another five minutes on the pitch and he may well had written the mornings tabloid headlines, as his physical presence clearly worried City.
Titi Camara - Nish, nowt, nothing - where was Titi? Scoring goals for fun in the reserves - and for his country - Camara's claim for a first team slot can never have been more valid than now. But no - not even worth a spot on the bench according to Glenn Roeder. Maybe there is a more reasonable explanation for his absence - if not, one can only wonder why he wasn't involved at all, in a side crying out for an in-form striker.
KUMB Match Facts
West Ham United: James, Repka, Breen, Minto, Schemmel, Sinclair, Lomas, Cisse (Carrick 74), Cole (Pearce 89), Kanoute, Di Canio (Defoe 74).
Subs not used: Van Der Gouw, Winterburn.
Manchester City: Schmeichel, Howey, Distin, Jihai, Jensen, Benarbia (Huckerby 82), Berkovic, Foe, Horlock, Wright-Phillips, Anelka.
Subs not used: Nash, Bischoff, Tiatto, Shuker.
Booked: Cisse, Minto.
Attendance: 35,550
Referee: Graham Barber (6).
KUMB Man of the Match: Gary Breen (7)
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Substitutes
Match Facts
West Ham United: , , , , , , , , , , .Goals: None.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
: .
Subs not used: .
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Sent off: None.
Referee: .
Attendance: 0.
Man of the Match: .