NO goals in this London derby clash at Upton Park, but Hammers more
than held their own against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal and enjoyed
the better of the chances.
Watched by a crowd of 34,742 inside the Boleyn Ground, this game
had everything apart from a goal to settle what was
a brilliantly contested match.
Hammers certainly had the better of the
goalscoring opportunities as they turned in another excellent
performance and continue to impress the Premier League with their
open, attacking style of play.
Pards made one change from the side that beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven
Cottage last weekend, re-calling the experienced Teddy Sheringham
in place of Bobby Zamora in attack.
On the bench there was a place for Welsh international
defender James Collins, his first involvement in the Premier League
since joining the Club from Cardiff in the summer.
On FIFA Fair Play Day this game kicked off amid a magnificent
atmosphere, with both sets of fans relishing the first London derby
of the season at Upton Park.
It was Arsenal that had the first sight at goal, a long range
effort from Robin Van Persie way off target.
Hammers certainly didn't look daunted by their illustrious
opposition though and on six minutes Yossi Benayoun proved it when
he ducked inside Ashley Cole and crossed to the far post, where
Matty Etherington appeared to be leaned on by Lauren as he jumped
for the ball.
On 12 minutes Teddy Sheringham bent a 20 yard free-kick over the
Arsenal wall, but the effort dipped agonisingly wide of Jens
Lehmann's right hand post.
On 20 minutes Sheringham was wide as Hammers began to up the tempo
in front of a brilliant home crowd.
Benayoun was supplying plenty of craft from midfield, and up front
the pace of Harewood looked to have the Gunners defence rattled.
At the other end, Arsenal were reduced to wild long-range efforts,
Cole trying his luck from distance on the half hour and dishing out
a safe catch to a lucky fan in the Centenary Lower.
Jose Antonio Reyes went much closer moments later. With almost no
back-lift he sent a curling effort just wide of Carroll's
right-hand post, with the Hammers 'keeper scurrying across his
goal.
Entering the last 10 minutes of the half Hammers were
still very much on top, but just couldn't find a telling
pass to unlock the Arsenal defence. Harewood did very nearly get on
the end of a Tomas Repka cross though, just failing to get across
the sizeable Sol Campbell.
At the back Danny Gabbidon was excellent, dominating in the air and
sweeping up everything that came his way.
With two minutes left until half-time Benayoun created a great
chance. The diminutive Israeli midfielder shrugged off Kolo Toure
seven yards out, but couldn't regain his balance and fired well
over the bar.
Not many chances, but plenty of derby-day determination as the half
closed with West Ham United and Arsenal locked at 0-0.
HT: 0-0
Hammers began the second-half just as they had finished the first
and four minutes in Benayoun forced Lehmann into a good save,
shooting from 12 yards out only to see the Arsenal goalkeeper make
a safe high catch.
On 54 minutes the game erupted when a West Ham corner from the
right was only half cleared by the Arsenal defence and as Repka
turned the ball back in it looked to be blocked by the arm of a
Gunners defender.
A giant appeal went up around Upton Park, but referee Mike Dean was
unmoved. Both sets of players were suitably animated though and as
a melee broke out in the Arsenal half Teddy Sheringham was booked.
When tempers are frayed the last thing Hammers fans would want to
see is a booking for Tomas Repka. The defender was less than
pleased when Dean brandished a yellow card for the Czech star's
obstruction of Alexander Hleb, but captain Teddy Sheringham was on
hand to restrain the defender.
Tomas and his defensive colleagues then had some work to do as Van
Persie cut a swath across the Hammers box before hitting a shot
that deflected wickedly off a Hammers defender and threatened to
loop over Carroll, before dropping the harmless side of the post.
Hammers were maintaining a steady stream of dominance as the game
began to stretch. With 10 minutes to go Pards called for local hero
Bobby Zamora, who replaced Sheringham to add some more verve
to the West Ham attack.
And with almost his first touch Zamora saw a great chance to
score go begging. A fantastic cross from Etherington picked out the
striker unmarked in the box, but Zamora headed wide of
Lehmann's goal.
Three minutes from time Harewood might have done better with a shot
on the turn from Zamora's knock-down, but he lofted his shot
well over the bar.
Right to the end Hammers were roared on by yet another magnificent
Boleyn Ground crowd, who are rising to the Premier League in just
the same way as Alan Pardew's team.
Indeed, the determination of Pards' team was fantastic, and at
the back Hammers thoroughly deserved another clean sheet with a
superb defensive display as this hard-fought London derby ended
with honours even and the score still deadlocked at 0-0.
Hammers Out Play Arsenal To Earn A Point
24th September 2005