TEDDY Sheringham's 19th goal of the season has earned West
Ham United a battling 1-0 win over Burnley at Turf Moor.
The striker left it late to keep Hammers play-off push on track,
scoring with seven minutes left to earn West Ham another vital
three points.
After the 2-1 win at Wigan, Alan Pardew kept faith with the team
that impressed at the JJB Stadium. Jimmy Walker kept his place in
goal ahead of Stephen Bywater, while Mark Noble was preferred to
Matty Etherington on the left of midfield.
West Ham started the game well and were the first to pressure when
Marlon Harewood powered between Mo Camara and John McGreal but
over-hit his cross.
The tempo was quick right from the kick-off, and at the other end
Ade Akinbiyi broke free in the box but hesitated, allowing Anton
Ferdiand to make a well-timed tackle.
With nine minutes gone the lively Harewood threatened again, his 20
yard shot cannoning off McGreal and looping up awkwardly for
Clarets goalkeeper Danny Coyne, who was forced to tip the ball
over.
By the quarter hour mark Hammers had settled into their rhythm,
with Sheringham finding plenty of space to orchestrate their
attacking movement. The 39-year-old had a great chance after 16
minutes, receiving Harewood's chest down and hitting a rasping
volley that flew just over Coyne's crossbar.
Five minutes later Harewood was too strong for McGreal's
tackle, breaking into the box and shooting across Coyne, who got a
hand to the ball and helped it around the post.
In defence, Elliott Ward and Anton Ferdinand coped easily with the
Burnley attack. It was 26 minutes before the home side had an
effort on goal to cheer, Jimmy Walker making an easy claim from
Graham Branch's downward header.
On the half hour, Nigel Reo-Coker was high and wide with a shot
from all of 30 yards, but Alan Pardew's side continued to
dominate proceedings.
A rare moment of respite for Burnley came from the forward play of
Dean Bowditch and it was his running that forced Hayden Mullins
into the touchline body-check that earned the midfielder a booking.
As the first-half drew to a close the home side began to rise to
the crowd's expectation. In the 39th minute Akinbiyi's
close control set-up a shooting chance for Bowditch, only a
magnificent block by Ward keeping Walker redundant.
Then, a misjudgement by the big defender let Akinbiyi in, but the
striker fired wide with only Walker to beat.
Dropping deep, Sheringham continued to probe the Burnley defence,
but not even the former England star's passing could find a way
through, and the first-half ended 0-0.
HT: 0-0
The atmosphere had been cranked up a notch for the start of the
second-half, and both teams responded.
Burnley showed a lot more purpose in their play, while Sheringham
should have done better with a dead-centre 25 yard free-kick that
was hit straight into the wall.
Chances were still at a premium, but the game was beginning to open
up. Gary Cahill reaped the benefits quite literally, bursting
through the middle before Ferdinand slid in to tackle, while at the
other end Harewood also broke through, but dragged his shot well
wide.
With 70 minutes gone Mo Camara caused panic in the West Ham ranks,
stealing in between Tomas Repka and Shaun Newton on the left and
surging into the box. Thankfully for the Hammers the cut-back was
cleared by Nigel Reo-Coker.
Two minutes later Sheringham came close to giving Alan Pardew's
team the lead. Again Burnley allowed him space outside the box, and
Sheringham didn't need a second invitation, unleashing a
curling drive that had Coyne beaten had it not dipped just wide.
Moments later Sheringham was inches away again, heading narrowly
over from Mark Noble's corner. It would be Noble's last
involvement in the game, making way for Matty Etherington with 15
minutes left. The second half of Alan Pardew's double
substitution saw Carl Fletcher come on for Hayden Mullins.
But it was Burnley who had the next good chance, Dean Bowditch
fluffing his lines from 12 yards out after Akinbiyi had put him
through.
Then, with seven minutes left, West Ham got the breakthrough their
dominance deserved. A mistake in the Burnley defence presented
Harewood with a clear run on goal. He rounded Coyne, but with the
angle against him squared to Sheringham, who made no mistake
slotting home from close range with the 'keeper already beaten.
West Ham's travelling faithful, voicing their support
throughout, were sent into raptures, as Hammers set about securing
their second win in a week.
They almost sealed the points in the 89th minute when
Fletcher's header forced Coyne to tip the ball athletically
over the bar.
Despite four added minutes Hammers never looked like surrendering
the lead and held on to earn a vital 1-0 win and make it six points
from two games on the North West leg of a promotion push that is
now very much alive and kicking.