WEST HAM UNITED v NORWICH CITY
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
BOLEYN GROUND
TUESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2014
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM
REFEREE: MICHAEL OLIVER
FULL AUDIO AND TEXT COMMENTARY - WEST HAM TV
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Final score - West Ham United 2-0 Norwich City
95: Norwich kick-off and that's it! West Ham make it three 2-0 wins on the spin - the first three-game Premier League winning streak since 2007. It's four top-flight clean sheets on the trot for the first time since 1985! One look at the table and West Ham sit tenth! What a February so far! Looking back on the game, West Ham had Adrian to thank for keeping them on level terms before the two late goals. Substitute Diame made one and scored the other, although I would say that the Dubious Goals Panel might look at that one! Who cares, in all honesty.
94: GOAL! Diame sprints half the length of the pitch, does a couple of step-overs and sees his shot go into the bottom corner off Martin. Ruddy had no chance! Diame runs off to the corner of the East Stand and Bobby Moore Stand and punches the air.
93: Nocerino catches Pilkington and is booked. Pilkington immediately springs to his feet and is booked!
92: Noble runs the ball to the corner flag but concedes a throw. Norwich come forward. It's heart-in-the-mouth time as there seem to be yellow shirts all over the penalty area. Noble is cool as they come, though, stepping in, keeping the ball in play and being fouled by Snodgrass.
91: There will be FOUR added minutes. There are 31,153 fans inside the stadium tonight. All of them are on the edge of their seats, including me.
90: Diame fouls Van Wolfswinkel on the left corner of the penalty area. Snodgrass... Bassong wins the header and... Adrian collects low down.
89: The Man of the Match, as voted by Match Sponsors NDW Essex Ltd, is Adrian. Collins cannot be far behind in the voting and he makes a superb interception inside the box again. 'There's only one ginger Pele!' sing the home fans.
88: West Ham waste a few seconds down inside the Norwich half before Demel scoops the ball out for a throw to Norwich. I would think we'll have a few minutes of added time. Elmander crosses the ball behind for a goal kick. Good.
86: Norwich attack but West Ham deal with this attack and Demel wins a throw. Tettey is replaced by Norwich's record signing, £8.5m striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
84: GOAL! COLLINS! Noble takes it quickly to Diame, who cuts onto his right foot and curls in the cross for Collins, who runs in and beats his marker to the ball to power the header down and past Ruddy!
84: Diame is fouled as he runs in from the left. It's taken quickly...
81: Redmond is replaced by Pilkington.
80: The final ten minutes approach and both sides will want a winner - obviously. Nocerino feeds the ball wide left for Diame, who takes a touch and swings his right foot at it. The ball flies well over the top.
78: McCartney heads a deep corner behind for a corner to Norwich. Adrian comes and doesn't get there. The ball drops to Yobo, who cushions the left-foot volley onto the roof of the net. The stadium fell silent while that ball was in the air.
77: Great chance. Great save by Ruddy. Nolan flicks the dropping ball from Bassong's header on for Diame, who runs on to it and hits his first-time right-foot shot hard and low. Ruddy is out quickly and diverts the ball over. Corner. Headed over. Goal kick. Nocerino is on for Taylor.
76: Hooper is replaced by Elmander. West Ham have a free-kick on halfway after Tomkins was fouled.
74: This has been pretty poor fare for the last few minutes. Norwich are edging it. Redmond cuts inside this time and drags a low shot a few yards wide.
69: Another fine save from Adrian, this time from Hooper. The striker had got in behind and shot low, but Adrian blocked well with his body. Great stuff from the Spaniard.
67: Another foul by Fer, this time a sliding effort on Taylor. Still no card for Fer. Free-kick 40 yards out. It is cleared. West Ham win it back and Diame gets away down the left. His cross falls to Nolan, whose cross is blocked. Diame is there again - surely offside - and crosses high and behind. No flag, but nothing more than a goal kick.
66: Snodgrass cuts in from the right and shoots wildly from 25 yards. It goes miles wide and into the stand. Snodgrass remonstrates with someone, anyone. Goal kick.
65: This hasn't been the best 20 minutes of football I've ever seen since half-time, I must admit.
61: Borriello is in the thick of it. He tussles with Bassong again and gets a bang on the head, but the referee thinks Borriello committed the initial offence. He may have done. It's physical out there, though.
60: Borriello comes back to help out and is fouled by Johnson as he brings the ball away. Yellow card for Johnson. Diame replaces Jarvis.
59: Demel fouls Redmond. Diame is being readied in the dugout. Snodgrass delivers and West Ham deal with it initially through Tomkins but Norwich are quickly back on it again.
57: Olsson is showing no ill-effects as he runs diagionally into space in front of the West Ham defence before poking a shot from 25 yards that fades well wide in the end.
56: Borriello chases a lost cause and wrestles with Bassong. That gets a cheer from the crowd, even if Borriello is penalised and Norwich have the free-kick on their own byline.
55: Tettey's mis-hit shot falls to Hooper on then edge of the box, but he doesn't make good contact and shoots straight at Adrian.
54: Chance for West Ham as Jarvis cuts the ball back to Nolan, but he cannot get his shot away, then tries to lay the ball off for Taylor. He only manages to prod the ball behind the midfielder and Norwich break. Olsson is on and streaking down the wing...
53: Downing gets a bang on the head from Olsson, who then also goes down holding his face from the same accidental challenge. He is face down and doesn't look too happy for a while, but then gets to his feet.
50: Maybe this Demel run down the touchline. He's like a ballerina skipping along the chalk before winning a corner. Norwich clear it. West Ham are building some momentum now, though, as Jarvis flicks wide for McCartney, who wins a throw. McCartney is penalised for a foul throw...
49: It's been a low key start to the second half for the home side. Borriello wins a flick-on from Adrian's goal kick, but it drops to a Norwich player, who punts into touch.
47: McCartney blocks a Redmond cross behind for a corner. Demel clears Snodgrass's delivery back to him. He runs into the box but his low cross is cleared behind again. The second corner is dealt with and Downing volleys away.
46: Borriello involved shortly after the kick-off, first taking on a defender, then springing the offside trap from Collins' ball forward. Unfortunately, the ball bounces through to Ruddy before the Italian can pounce.
Yes, he is. Borriello is on for his home debut in place of Cole. Exactly the change Big Sam made at Villa Park.
Big Sam made a change at half-time on Saturday and West Ham were 2-0 up within three minutes against Aston Villa. Will he be tempted to make a swap again?
46: Into one added minute and Norwich could easily be in front. A sweeping move ends with Hooper playing a one-two with Tettey and the Norwegian works Adrian with a first-time shot. Great save again from the Spaniard, clawing the ball away for a corner. West Ham clear and that's half-time.
45: The Yobo/Cole battle has been a physical one. The two of them are tussling for every ball forward. This time it is Cole penalised for holding the Nigerian.
44: A Norwich midfielder falls over and Noble pounces. He chops past one defender but is slightly on the stretch as he shoots left-footed and the ball bobbles wide.
43: Olsson is booked for a push on Downing as the winger ushers the ball out for a goal kick.
41: Downing runs into the gap left by Olsson after a Norwich free-kick comes to nothing. Demel overlaps but his cross is horrendous. It flies high and behind for a goal kick. I don't mean to be harsh to Guy, but that wasn't his best delivery.
40: West Ham are really pushing hard here. A free-kick into the box produces some penalty shouts, but nothing is given. West Ham win it back, Noble finds Downing wide left and his left-foot cross is headed on by Nolan. It's on target, but Ruddy can catch moving to his left.
38: Tettey fouls Noble and reacts angrily. The Norwegian is called over for a chat by Mr Oliver, but no card is produced.
36: Comedy moment as Downing wins a throw and the ball loops up into the hands of Jarvis, who has overlapped and is standing just off the pitch!
34: The corner creates havoc and some pinball, but Norwich hold firm despite two or three crosses coming into their six-yard box. Come on West Ham! Let's have one before half-time.
33: West Ham win a free-kick on halfway. It's lifted in and nodded over his own crossbar by a Norwich defender. The initial ball is cleared but worked back to Downing. His second ball in is superb but a foot too strong for Cole to head in. Norwich scramble it behind again through Bassong.
32: West Ham still having the majority of the territory and pressing high. Nolan and Noble combine to win the ball back wide left before Noble finds Downing in space centrally. He runs into space before shooting left-footed from 30 yards. It's high and flies over the top as he loses his balance.
28: Patient build-up involving a number of players. McCartney collects from Noble, but his low cross is hacked out for a throw. Norwich are sitting very deep. They have four defenders and five midfielders, then Hooper alone up front. It's going to be a job to break through them here.
26: West Ham working hard to close down Norwich's space in their own half. Cole battles before Jarvis finds Demel, who lays off for Noble, whose first-time curler is caught by Ruddy at the second attempt.
23: Cole works Ruddy, collecting the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the box before spinning and firing a low effort on target. Ruddy collects low down.
22: Again, West Ham look like they are going to concede on the counter. Norwich work the ball out quickly from Ruddy to Redmond. He crosses and the ball is worked left before the cross comes in. Tomkins works back 80 yards to make a vital challenge on Johnson 12 yards out.
21: Fer is penalised for handball, now. Nothing comes from the free-kick initially, but West Ham win a throw before McCartney forces a corner.
20: An immediate response as Downing's ball causes confusion in the Norwich defence. Cole battles for possession before Noble finds Jarvis, who takes a touch and curls in a shot that Ruddy holds in front of his face.
18: That should be 1-0 Norwich. Taylor's loose header is picked up by a visiting player. Redmond's clever through ball sends Snodgrass clear. Adrian hesitates and it nearly costs the Spaniard. Snodgrass gets his shot away, but Adrian makes a fine save with his arms.
17: It's been a largely played in the Norwich half, this game. However, the Canaries have had the one major chance so far through Hooper's header.
14: Fer catches Taylor again. Still no yellow card for the Dutchman. He must be getting close to his name being taken. Free-kick wide left. It's taken but it low and bouncing and Norwich clear again. The set pieces are not quite clicking as yet.
12: Cole works hard against Yobo and Tettey and wins a free-kick on halfway for handball. Collins lifts the free-kick into the box but it's too high and Ruddy catches.
9: Wow. Redmond is nippy and he ducks and dives past Demel before crossing left-footed. Hooper's header is down and going in until Adrian dives left and pushes the ball away. McCartney clears for a corner, which Nolan heads out and Taylor clears. Noble wins the ball back and tries to play in Jarvis, but the angle is just wrong and Norwich clean that one up.
8: Norwich have their first attack of note and Snodgrass collects in the centre, just outside the D. Collins is out and then Tomkins forces Snodgrass wide right before stealing possession. Superb defensive work from the No5. Downing collects and wins a throw off the Scot.
7: Nolan is putting himself about again. He's given away a couple of free-kicks, but that doesn't matter if he is going to keep letting the Norwich players know they are in for a battle in midfield. Keep it up Nobby!
4: Fer lunges in and brings down Noble about 40 yards out. Maybe he's a bit lucky not to be booked. Noble takes it himself and again there is hesitancy in the Norwich defence, but they are able to clear. When the ball comes back in, Nolan challenges for the bouncing ball, but it won't fall for Cole and Yobo can clear.
3: McCartney is fouled down by the left touchline on halfway. Collins lifts the free-kick into the box, where it clears Bassong but no West Ham player reacts to the bouncing ball quickly enough. Norwich clear their lines again.
1: An early throw leads to Downing crossing from the right, but it's low and cut out.
7.45pm - We're off and running as West Ham kick-off shooting towards the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand.
7.42pm - This is a big game. A win tonight and West Ham can put some breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. It's been a perfect February so far in terms of results.
7.40pm - Here come the two teams! But not before a new musical montage of goals and great Hammers moments has been played on the big screens. It's great stuff - Bonds, Brooking, Moore, Tevez, Di Canio, Cole, Ashton, Sealey... Fantastic.
7.35pm - Sorry for the lack of updates. Slight technical issues in the Press Box. The great boxer and West Ham fan Lennox Lewis has been pitchside to be interviewed. The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world recalled his childhood in east London and revealed he offered his services to Big Sam tonight! The big man dropped into the home dressing room to meet the players and coaching staff a short while ago. Kevin Nolan presented Lennox with a shirt with his name LEWIS and the knockout No10 on the back!
6.50pm - The team news is in. West Ham are unchanged for the first time since the trip to Swansea City on 27 October. Diame replaces Johnson on the bench. Norwich make one change from their 0-0 home draw with Manchester City, with Snodgrass in for Pilkington.
West Ham United: Adrian, Demel, McCartney, Collins, Tomkins, Taylor, Noble, Nolan (c), Jarvis, Downing, C.Cole
Subs: Jaaskelainen, Armero, Reid, Collison, Nocerino, Borriello
Norwich City: Ruddy, Martin, Olsson, Bassong (c), Yobo, Snodgrass, Tettey, Fer, Johnson, Redmond, Hooper
Subs: Bunn, Whittaker, Garrido, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander
Good evening and welcome to the Boleyn Ground. The Tubes are running and the rain has stopped - for now! So, get yourselves down to the Academy of Football if you possibly can!
West Ham United entertain Norwich City this evening aiming to extend their Barclays Premier League unbeaten run to four matches.
The Hammers scored a goalless draw at Chelsea before notching 2-0 wins at home to Swansea City and at Aston Villa. A clean sheet tonight would be West Ham's fourth in succession for the first time in the Barclays Premier League and fourth-in-a-row for the first time since November/December 1985, when the Boys of '86 kept five on the trot.
Captain Kevin Nolan has been in outstanding form, scoring twice in each of West Ham's victories against Swansea and Villa. Those goals have taken the skipper's recent run to five in six matches and make him the Club's leading scorer in 2013/14.
West Ham have not lost at home to Norwich in any of their three previous home Premier League meetings, drawing two and winning one. The Hammers have not lost at home to Norwich since 27 March 1989 - a span of six matches in all competitions.
Norwich have won just two of their 12 away league matches this season, scoring eight goals and conceding 26. The Canaries have gone three matches without a win in the Premier League, their last success coming against Hull City in a 1-0 win on 18 January. Chris Hughton's side will be looking to win on their travels for the first time in four matches since they overcame West Bromwich Albion in December 2013.
Team news-wise, Andy Carroll serves the second match of his three-game ban tonight, following his red card versus Swansea City.Joey O'Brien is the Hammers' only long-term injury casualty with the full-back having undergone an operation on the shoulder he dislocated against Chelsea. Ricardo Vaz Te is continuing his comeback to full fitness after a dislocated shoulder and minor knee problem, but is not available this evening. However, Joe Cole (calf) and Mohamed Diame (gashed leg) missed the trip to Aston Villa but could be fit.
The Canaries are waiting on the fitness of Robert Snodgrass, after he missed Saturday's game against Manchester City with a groin injury. Gary Hooper will be fit after picking up a kick to the foot in the same game, but Jonas Gutierrez is out.
We will have the confirmed team news at just after 6.45pm. In the meantime, you can enter our matchday Twitter competitions #WHULINEUP and #WHUGOAL.
Welcome to our Sponsors
West Ham United would like to welcome tonight's Match Sponsors NDW Essex Ltd and Matchball Sponsors Bears Bowling, Bar and Grill.
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