Hammers V Gunners



HAMMERS face Arsenal for the first time since January 2003 on Saturday at Upton Park and will be aiming to get their first win over the Gunners in the 21st century.

Two goals from Paulo Di Canio stole three points for the Hammers in a memorable match at Upton Park back in October 1999, West Ham United's last victory over their neighbours from North London.

That victory has proved to be West Ham's only home win against Arsenal since the Premiership began, but they have managed to twice emerge victorious from Highbury.

Martin Allen and Trevor Morley struck a goal a piece in 1994 and a lone effort from Don Hutchinson, during his first spell, was enough a year later.

The teams met five times during the 1997/8 season, and the North Londoners certainly had the better of things that year. A 4-0 defeat at Highbury and a 0-0 draw at Upton Park in the league were followed by a 2-1 defeat in the League Cup and a devastating loss via a penalty shootout in the FA Cup Quarter-Final replay.

The first match between the two sides was also in the FA Cup in 1906. It ended in a 1-1 draw and the Hammers consequently lost that replay 3-2. They didn't meet in a league fixture until 1923 when West Ham triumphed 1-0.

In recent years Arsenal's dominance has overcome all else, but West Ham have had the better of their North London neighbours in the past.

In 1927 a team featuring record goal scorer Vic Watson thrashed Arsenal 7-0.

The Gunners were also on the wrong end of a 6-0 scoreline in the FA Cup in 1946, and a Dave Dunmore hat-trick added to goals for John Dick, Phil Woosnam and Andy Malcom to give the Hammers a 6-0 victory in 1960.

No need reminding Hammers fans however, of a certain encounter in 1980 when a Trevor Brooking header stole the show, not to mention the FA Cup for West Ham United at Wembley!