West Ham United Club

Champions League star set for West Ham?

2007-02-08T02:48:00.000-08:00

The FC Copenhagen defender, who starred in a 1-0 win over Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League this season, claims to have been the subject of Hammers interest during the winter transfer market. "The agents talked, but that was all," Hangeland is quoted in The Independent. "It never ended in anything concrete. I'm in no hurry (to leave), but playing against Manchester United was a great experience." It is now being suggested that Alan Curbishley will renew his interest in the 26-year-old at the end of the season, regardless of which division the Upton Park club find themselves in. .

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West Ham to face points deduction?

2007-02-06T02:47:00.000-08:00

Today's Daily Mail carries a report on a Premier League investigation into the possibility that West Ham and Portsmouth have fielded ineligible players this season. It is believed Wigan are questioning whether Tevez and Mascherano for the Irons and Pompey's Manuel Fernandez have been used in breach of Premier League rules. The Mail reports: Breaking Rule U18 can result in a points reduction because the League will not allow England`s top-flight clubs to sign players who are owned by a 'third party' who would have the 'ability materially to influence its policies or the performance of its teams'. It suggests fellow relegation strugglers would be willing to launch legal challenges. Javier Mascherano's loan deal to join Liverpool is awaiting Premier League approval - apparently due to a lack of paperwork.

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We can cope with relegation, says West Ham chairman

2007-02-02T02:44:00.000-08:00

Eggert Magnusson, the West Ham United chairman, insisted yesterday that his Iceland consortium considered the possibility of relegation before completing its £85m takeover of the club in November and has promised to make funds available for a quick return to the Premiership should the "worst case scenario" occur. Alan Curbishley's side remain three points adrift of safety and, having won just two of their last 14 games, the prospect of Championship football looms. The signing of Matthew Upson on Wednesday took spending in the January transfer window to £18m and relegation this season would see West Ham miss out on a share of the Premiership's new £625m television deal. .

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West Ham United boss remains hopeful

2007-01-31T02:49:00.000-08:00

A 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool leaves the Hammers rooted firmly in the bottom three, two points adrift of safety and seven behind Premiership new boys Sheffield United who lie in seventeenth place. "We have to start winning. We've got into some winning positions but not won games of late, said Curbishley. "There's still hope, we've got some big games coming up against teams that are above and around us and it's vital we win those. The Londoners face a trip to Aston Villa next weekend before welcoming fellow strugglers Watford to Upton Park for their single home game of February, and then travel to Charlton Athletic for a real six-pointer. .

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Benitez Focused On West Ham

2007-01-29T02:47:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez was delighted with Liverpool's performance in last weekend's 2-0 victory over Chelsea but claims it will have been all for nothing if they lose at West Ham on Tuesday. 'All of the players and fans enjoyed the score against Chelsea,' Rafa told the clubs official site. 'The game was good, we showed character and quality and I was really happy. 'It`s always good to win against the top sides but at the end of the day it was only three points. We had confidence before that game because we were winning and doing the right things, but now we have won I think we have more confidence. 'As always, our idea is to take things one game at a time. You can't beat Chelsea and then lose to West Ham otherwise the position will be similar to what it was.

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Steinhausen - The Original Steinhausen Money Grip Clip, Silver color,Nickel-plated Stainless Steel ,TM288

2007-01-23T03:22:00.000-08:00

Once you've tried the Money Grip, you won't ever go back to that bulky wallet! Forget about fumbling for your credit card when the dinners over, or searching your pockets for those bills you tucked away somewhere. The Money GripM holds your bills safely and securely, and gives you instant access when you need it most. In one easy-to-carry unit, it holds all your essential valuables comfortably and neatly-up to 30 bills and five cards. Unlike cloth or leather wallets, the Money Grip is built solid for a long and durable life. Our simple, contemporary-styled Money Grip and credit card holder is constructed of nickel or gold-plated stainless steel, and the all-metal construction means it won't wear out, rip or break. Lightweight, compact it slips easily into your pocket, bag or briefcase, it's a great way to get (and stay) organized and uncluttered, because it's designed for practicality and everyday life. Size: 3" x 2.25" Weight: 3 oz. Nickel-plated Stainless Steel

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West Ham United win Blanco race

2007-01-23T02:58:00.000-08:00

The Hammers have staved off competition from a number of Premiership rivals for Sevilla striker, who will spend the rest of the season on loan at Upton Park with the view to a permanent deal. "Sevilla centre forward Kepa will play on loan for the remainder of the season for the English team West Ham," read a statement on Sevilla's website. "The agreement between the Nervion outfit (Sevilla) and the Londoners, which was closed early this afternoon (Monday), includes an option to buy which the Premier League team must exercise before June 30, the date that Kepa's loan ends." Story by Paul Meadows for FansFC Comments? Mail fansfceditor@googlemail.com .

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Hope for Mascherano at West Ham

2007-01-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

Alan Curbishley has told Javier Mascherano that he may still have a future at Upton Park. Liverpool have been trying to sign the player during this transfer window(as we reported earlier this month) and are currently looking for a loan deal. However FIFA rules are unlikely to allow such a scenario and Curbs has offered an olive branch, of sorts, to the Argentine International. 'I have looked at my team selections and he hasn't featured in them. I felt that if there was an opportunity for him in this window we would let him go,' the West Ham manager told reporters 'If it doesn't happen he is a West Ham player, I have not dismissed him at all.' Curbishley also made reference to the fact that he inherited this situation. Personally I'd like him to stop harking on about the hardships of taking over the reigns at the Boelyn and get on with leading the current squad out of trouble; something I am sure he is capable of.

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Newcastle v West Ham

2007-01-19T02:58:00.000-08:00

NEWCASTLE UNITED entertain lowly West Ham desperate to regain some pride after Wednesday night's 1-5 humbling by Steve Bruce's Championship leaders Birmingham in the third round replay - their biggest home defeat in the FA Cup since 1914 and second heaviest ever on home turf in the competition. The busiest of all Premiership clubs go into their 39th match of the season against one of manager Glenn Roeder's former clubs, in search of a ninth Premiership victory which could see them in the top half of the table, having been languishing in the relegation zone just over two months ago. The Magpies are unbeaten in six Premiership games against West Ham. They've won four and drawn two and are bidding to make it three wins in a row against the east Londoners. The Tyneside club are also aiming to 'double' the Hammers for the third time in the Premier League, and first since the 1994-95 season.

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Upson asked to be central character in West Ham's battle for survival

2007-01-17T03:03:00.000-08:00

West Ham United have launched a bid to sign Matthew Upson, the Birmingham City centre half, with an offer believed to be £4 million. Birmingham appear to have increased the valuation of a player who has 18 months left on his contract by £2 million to £8 million. West Ham are keen to sign a centre back after losing James Collins and Danny Gabbidon to groin injuries. Collins may need an operation. .

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Curbishley learns more bad news about West Ham but keeps faith in ...

2007-01-15T03:04:00.000-08:00

Alan Curbishley, the West Ham United manager, gives the impression that he is experimenting with his new club. On Saturday the experiment was called “How do West Ham deal with taking the lead?” The team failed the test and Curbishley learnt something else about the character of a club who are in serious danger of relegation. “I did think, if we did get into a winning position, what will happen then because they’ve not been in a winning position for so long,” Curbishley said. What did happen was that with seven minutes left of the match and the score at 3-2, his players tried to waste time when awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. It was their decision to cling on and when they learnt that there would be five minutes of added time, that decision looked a very poor one. .

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England Prem Preview: West Ham United-Fulham

2007-01-13T02:48:00.000-08:00

It's East London versus West London as West Ham and Fulham square off at Upton Park on Saturday in Premiership action. Both these sides are in the running to sign Russian midfielder Alexei Smertin during the January transfer window, however the three points are what each club will be looking for this weekend. Home Comforts After being destroyed by Reading last weekend, West Ham will be glad to return to the comforts of home. The club's collective belief in avoiding the drop would not have been helped by the 6-0 defeat to Steve Coppell's side, but even though they must improve on their away form, Alan Curbishley must believe now that West Ham's survival will depend on their home form as much as anything else. This weekend's fixture represents a huge opportunity for the three points.

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West Ham United to pursue Viduka

2007-01-11T02:51:00.000-08:00

Alan Curbishley remains keen on Mark Viduka, despite Gareth Southgate insisting he will keep the player at Middlesbrough Football Club. Mail The FansFC Editor Send This Article To A Friend Post Your View on The Msg Board The Australian international is out of contract at the end of the season and hasnt of yet begun talks over a new deal to keep him at the Riverside Stadium for a fourth season. It is believed that West Ham United boss Curbishley wants the former Celtic and Leeds United man to add more firepower to his struggling Hammers side, and he remains keen despite Southgate insisting he is not for sale. "I've spoken to Mark Viduka and made it clear I want him to stay at Middlesbrough, and we are not interested in listening to offers from other clubs." Despite this, West Ham will test Boros resolve with a bid in the region of 2.5million.

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Quashie joins West Ham relegation battle

2007-01-09T03:20:00.000-08:00

West Ham United have signed Nigel Quashie, the Scotland midfield player, from West Bromwich Albion in a 3½-year deal worth £1.5 million plus a further £250,000 if West Ham retain their top-flight status. Alan Curbishley, the West Ham manager, said: “Nigel is an experienced player who will add competition to our central-midfield positions. He comes in here — like Luis Boa Morte — knowing full well the position we are in, and he is convinced that we will be able to get out of the bottom three.” .

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West Ham take note: true grit doesn't always mean true Brit

2007-01-07T02:58:00.000-08:00

As West Ham rounded off a thrilling first season back at the top level with a desperately narrow defeat in the FA Cup final, much was made of their Britishness. And not without reason, for Alan Pardew had gathered an unusually indigenous group. Of the 14 who did duty against Liverpool in the Millennium Stadium, only Yossi Benayoun and Lionel Scaloni were foreigners. Of the 12 Britons in the squad (to narrow it further), only Danny Gabbidon and Christian Dailly came from outside England. And (to narrow it even further than that) no fewer than eight of Pardew's unlucky heroes were London-born. So what a substantial number of critics were saying, basically, is that here were a bunch of close-knit lads who knew what English football was about — come to think of it, Pardew kept saying it as well — and could be relied upon to stand shoulder to shoulder when the going got tough.

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Juventus admit defeat in bid for West Ham's Mascherano

2007-01-03T03:11:00.000-08:00

Juve coach Didier Deschamps has admitted he would like to add the Argentinian star to his squad as the fallen giants look to return to the top flight of Italian football after being relegated for match-fixing. However, Juve sporting director Alessio Secco told an Italian newspaper that the deal was too complicated, apparently due to the fact Mascherano is owned by investment group MSI. Secco told La Stampa: "The Mascherano deal will not be possible. "We have pursued this until the day the market opened, but we have had to renounce because of the complicated contract situation." Related Links: Crouch denies angling for Liverpool exitDistin hints at Man City staySpurs clinch deal for Sunderland keeper AlnwickNo one has commented on this article, be the first to comment on it! .

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West Ham United striker out until February

2006-12-30T02:57:00.000-08:00

Alan Curbishley doesnt expect to see Dean Ashton in the starting eleven for West Ham United Football Club until February. Mail The West Ham United Journo Leave A Comment On Our Message Board Send This Article To A Friend Much of the Hammers plight this season has been put down to the absence of star striker Ashton, who broke his ankle in August and has yet to make a single appearance this term. The Londoners were hopeful of getting Ashton back for the beginning of the New Year, yet Curbishley has revealed February is a more likely target for a comeback. "I've not put a timescale on it - I don't think I'm in a position to do that - but he won't be rushed. He will be fit when he's fit, although I think January is a bit too soon, the former Charlton Athletic boss told Sky Sports.

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West Ham, Fulham draw 0-0 in duel of US players.

2006-12-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

(Sunday, December 24, 2006) -- Three Americans were in the lineup when West Ham United visited Fulham yesterday for a 0-0 draw in the London derby before 22,452 at Craven Cottage. All 20 English Premier League clubs were in action yesterday as the league started the busiest two weeks of the season. Every team will play four matches over the next nine or 10 days in the traditional busy holiday calendar. The fog that shut down London's Heathrow airport for three days was still in evidence, but did not affect any of the games. As usual, United States striker Brian McBride started on the front line for Fulham and American defender Jonathan Spector was in his regular spot in West Ham's back-line. However, American Carlos Bocanegra was a surprise starter in the center of Fulham's defense, replacing England national defender Zat Knight, who fractured his jaw following a clash of heads with his brother in a family game at home Friday.

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WEST HAM UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED - FERGUSON DEMANDS KILLER TOUCH

2006-12-17T02:59:00.000-08:00

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has urged his team to find the killer touch if they are to secure their Barclays Premiership title dream. Although United have dropped points in only three of their 17 league outings so far, Ferguson is growing increasingly concerned about their failure to take chances. The Red Devils chief points to a series of away fixtures - at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough in particular - where his side have made life unnecessarily hard for themselves, while against Reading a weakness in front of goal cost them two precious points. Probably the most glaring example of their inadequacy came in the Champions League encounter at Celtic, when United dominated and earned themselves a last-minute penalty, yet still ended up on the wrong end of a single-goal defeat.

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West Ham United vs Manchester United

2006-12-15T02:54:00.000-08:00

As per last season we line up on a dark December winters afternoon to join the robocops in welcoming Man Yoo to East London. The kick off time is 4pm, Sky TV are providing the beam back to the public house as a newly installed Alan Curbishley attempts to stop the rot by clawing points from the league leaders. United have managed to sidestep their usual slow start to the campaign by getting off to a flyer and they currently lead the table by 5 points over that small team from Fulham. Their home form has been decent and they have seen seven home wins including a satisfying 3-1 in the Manc derby last week, a 2-0 win over hated rivals, the Mickeys and a 5-1 thrashing of the real team from Fulham on the opening day. The only points dropped have been to Chelsea in a 1-1 draw and an October defeat by LArse.

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Wanderers 4, West Ham 0: The Big Match Verdict

2006-12-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

SAM Allardyce got a lot more than he had bargained for when he told his misfiring strikers it was time to deliver. Not being greedy, he would have settled for just a win, but he got a goal feast, with all three of his frontline attackers getting in on the act for the first time. Two smart opportunist strikes from Kevin Davies and a couple of crackers from El-Hadji Diouf and Nicolas Anelka gave Wanderers their biggest Premiership win for a year and lifted them back into the top six. .

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England Prem Preview: Bolton Wanderers-West Ham United

2006-12-09T03:10:00.000-08:00

Bolton welcome West Ham to the Reebok Stadium this Saturday. Both teams are going through a lean patch and would look forward to the game hoping to find some form and points. Time To Bounce Back Bolton, who started their season in a brilliant fashion, have struggled lately. Barring the sensational victory over Arsenal, Bolton have failed to show the kind of form which made them one of the contenders for Europe at the start of the season. The Trotters have managed just one victory in their last eight games in all competitions. After the loss against Reading Sam Allardyce himself admitted that his side were in a slump. Bolton 's major concern has been their inability to find the back of the net. If we take the Arsenal game out, Bolton have scored just twice (both of them in the same game against Sheffield United) in their last seven games.

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Chelsea Need Wright-Phillips Says Mourinho Ruling-Out West Ham ...

2006-12-07T03:06:00.000-08:00

West Ham are ready to sign the 25-year old Shaun Wright-Phillips, England International, who once again came from the bench and sent his fizzling drive in the 83rd minute which landed into the bottom left corner of the nets, beating Levski Sofia keeper Mitrev, hands down. Ultimately the Blues went out to win the match 2-0, in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening. The Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who bought 25-year-old Wright-Phillips for £21m from Manchester City in July 2005, has hardly featured the England international, since his arrival at Stamford Bridge. So far Blues boss Mourinho has started him only in twelve league matches, where on 23 occasions he has started from the bench. Yet Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has a future at the club.

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The first exit since Eggert Magnusson's takeover of West Ham has ...

2006-12-03T03:04:00.000-08:00

West Ham are shuffling around their boardroom, with Magnusson succeeding Terry Brown as chairman, while also serving as executive chairman and chief executive. Scott Duxbury has being promoted to deputy chief executive while Nick Igoe is the new finance director. Aldridge was offered a position on the new West Ham board, but he declined the offer, and instead left the club by mutual consent. "It was a very difficult decision to decline the opportunity to join the new board of West Ham United under the chairmanship of Mr Magnusson," confirmed Aldridge. "It has been a privilege to have been part of such a wonderful time in the club's history. I wish Eggert and his new board the very best of luck, I am very confident that the club is in very good hands and that the future for all involved in the club is extremely exciting." Magnusson paid tribute to the role played Aldridge at the club over the years.

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West Ham takeover raises the stakes

2006-11-27T03:18:00.000-08:00

IN AN act that was either fatuous or farcical, the FA Premier League ran fit-and-proper persons checks over the Icelandic bankers and biscuit makers before sanctioning their £85m purchase of West Ham United last week. The deal was approved before David Richards, the Premier League chairman, knelt before the Queen for his knighthood. Sir David has risen as his former club Sheffield Wednesday has fallen into debt. His way of muddling through club chairmanship was perhaps typically British, but as buyers from Iceland to Siberia to the Americas and the Far East come to buy our clubs, who is fit and proper to judge their means or intentions? Who can tell whether Roman Abramovich pouring in Russian roubles is good for Chelski, let alone for England in the long term? Who knows exactly why Randy Lerner acquired Aston Villa for £63m, why the Glazers took on £500m of debt to buy Manchester United, or what attracts foreign investment in Portsmouth, Fulham, Hearts, and coming shortly Liverpool and possibly Newcastle United? Six Premiership clubs are totally bankrolled from abroad.

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West Ham Vs Sheff Utd

2006-11-25T03:10:00.000-08:00

The Blades travel to Upton Park on Saturday for a crucial match against Alan Pardew's West Ham side. The game takes on extra significance as only one point currently separates the two teams. Both teams will be desperate of the points as defeat could see either side cut adrift at the bottom of the table. .

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West Ham keeper Carroll checks into rehab

2006-11-23T02:49:00.000-08:00

The Daily Mail says the Northern Ireland keeper admitted himself into the Capio Nightingale Hospital in Marylebone on Monday following crisis talks with Hammers manager Alan Pardew at the weekend. It is understood that the former Manchester United star, who has been restricted to 10 first-team appearances this season, has been bitten by the betting bug staking up to £5,000 on any given event and has succumbed to binge drinking after weekend games. Pardew said yesterday: "We are aware that Roy has problems and we are fully supporting him in any way we can. He has gone about tackling the issues in the right way and is seeking expert help to sort him out. "I understand he will leave the clinic today and will be back in training with us on Thursday." Related Links: Sheffield Utd boss Warnock keen on Man Utd's SmithMan Utd's Pique fancies Zaragoza stayChelsea give Bridge time offThere are 8 comments .

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Magnusson Buys West Ham Soccer Team for $161 Million (Update2)

2006-11-21T02:53:00.000-08:00

Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- West Ham, the London soccer club that supplied three members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team, accepted an 85 million-pound ($161 million) takeover offer by Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson. Magnusson and banker Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson offered 421 pence in cash per share and gained ``irrevocable undertakings'' for about 83 percent of the stock, the Premiership team said in Regulatory News Service statement today. West Ham, which hasn't won a trophy in 26 years, stands to become the sixth Premiership team to fall into foreign hands. Malcolm Glazer last year bought Manchester United for 790 million pounds and fellow U.S. billionaire Randy Lerner in August took over Aston Villa. ``The Premiership has developed into something so massive and, because of the scale of media interest, it's particularly attractive to wealthy businessmen,'' Nigel Currie, director of sponsorship adviser BrandRapport, said in an interview.

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West Ham United's Under-18s held London rivals Chelsea to a 0-0 ...

2006-11-19T02:48:00.000-08:00

Tony Carr's youngsters travelled to Cobham today after the match was brought forward 24 hours, and gave a very good account of themselves. In a closely-fought encounter, Hammers more than matched their elite opponents and had the best chance of the game midway through the second half when Freddie Sears cut the ball back for Jack Jeffery, who hooked the ball wide from close range. Czech Under-21 goalkeeper Marek Stech made his first appearance in a Hammers shirt after recovering from an ankle injury sustained following his arrival at the Club in August, while the afternoon didn't go so well for Irish midfielder Lorcan Fitzgerald, who was sent off in the final minute for a second bookable offence. Hammers: Stech; O'Neill, Spence, Ngala, Widdowson; Stanislas (Harvey 70), Hales, Collison, Fitzgerald; Sears (Bowes 88), Jeffery (Hunt 75).

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Chelsea v West Ham

2006-11-17T02:58:00.000-08:00

CHELSEA go into this London derby with West Ham, trailing Premiership table toppers Manchester United by three points, and an inferior goal difference of seven. But in their 4-0 demolition of Watford last Saturday, there were signs of a blossoming lethal strike partnership of hat-trick hero Didier Drogba and record 30 million signing Andriy Shevchenko, which could be sending warning signals in the direction of Old Trafford ahead of next weekend's clash. That comprehensive victory over the Hornets brought up a half century of unbeaten home Premiership games for the reigning champions. But they're still 13 shy of Liverpool's English top flight record of 63, set between February 1978 and January 1981. The Blues 'doubled' West Ham last season with a 7-2 aggregate, but only lead them in the Premiership head-to-head standings by 10 wins to nine.

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Middlesbrough 1 West Ham 0: Maccarone regains hero status at Boro

2006-11-15T02:57:00.000-08:00

HAVING been reminded of the days when they played together at Crystal Palace, and how Alan Pardew used to rib him about everything from his nose to his taste in clothing, Gareth Southgate came up with an insult in return. A late goal by the substitute, Massimo Maccarone, in a match that scarcely deserved one, was the height of cheek. Like Southgate’s nose, it wasn’t pretty, but in the circumstances, he didn’t care. After two straight defeats, Maccarone’s first goal since April lifted Middlesbrough five points clear of the relegation zone, and put a stop to the sequence that was slowly eroding their self-belief. “It was a big win for us,” said the manager. “We knew it would be a bit tense after the last two performances, and we were a bit short of confidence early on, but we were brave enough to play our way through it.” .

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Kia wanted £15M knocked off West Ham price

2006-11-09T04:01:00.000-08:00

The Sun says it is claimed the Iranian-born businessman wanted around 15million lopped off the original asking price of 75m. After going through the club's accounts, the consortium fronted by Joorabchian insisted debts are as much as 15m greater than the official estimate of 23.5m. They claim money is also owed on transfer deals, including the record-busting 7.25m arrival of Dean Ashton from Norwich. On top of that, bonus payments are due to players related to performances and league position. It is understood debts or 'liabilities' approach 40m and Joorabchian wanted that reflected in a reduced asking price. The Hammers, who held a board meeting yesterday, have refused to budge and it looks as if Joorabchian's long-running battle to get control at Upton Park is finally over.

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Bolton v West Ham

2006-11-06T04:00:00.000-08:00

Allardce's side kept pacee with the top two with a scomewhat fortuitous 1-0 victory over Blackburn. Nolan's deputy Fortune also looks set to be ruled out after picking up a thigh injury in traning which leaves Allardyce with a midfield selection dilemma on his hands. Meanwhile defender Faye could also be sidelined following the concussion he picked up in the weekend victory against Blackburn. The Wigan boss admits he gave his side a severe talking to in the wake of their defeat at home to Man.United and his reprimand drew immediate rewards last few weeks with a 4-0 thumping of Man.City. Strikers Heskey and Camara were on the scoresheet,as was Valencia for the first time in Wigan colours, Plus, with the Athetic defence suddenly discovering how to keep a clean sheet. Bolton have been great recently with 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats in the last 10 matches and seem focused for a European berth next season.

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Doubts grow over West Ham bidders

2006-11-06T03:58:00.000-08:00

Whenever Terry Brown was asked about his intentions for his West Ham shareholding, he would explain that only a "Roman Abramovich character" could persuade him to sell. What would the point be of handing over his 36.6% stake in the club to anyone with resources that are not significantly greater than the group of families currently at the helm? It was this rationale that the West Ham chairman employed in refusing even to listen to the overtures of the Icelandic bidder, Eggert Magnusson, and that also motivates his obliging accommodation of the Israeli hotelier Eli Papouchado. At close of business yesterday the latest of at least three "deadlines" to have been imposed on Papouchado and his interlocutor, the Anglo-Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian, expired. .

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West Ham rode their luck last season but the day of reckoning has ...

2006-11-06T03:56:00.000-08:00

I’VE always had a soft spot for West Ham United. My mum (total lifetime betting, £3) put a pound on them to win the 1980 FA Cup Final against Arsenal and we all (believe it or not) went out to dinner on the winnings. I am afraid, however, that last season they spoilt it somewhat. I still love them, but last season they did something unforgivably annoying — they defied the Fink Tank. Or at least they appeared to. And it is important you understand that before you read what follows. .

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West Ham's life saving donors

2006-11-06T03:55:00.000-08:00

WEST Ham United players are throwing their weight behind a campaign to inspire young men to register as bone marrow donors. Bobby Zamora, Anton Ferdinand and Hayden Mullins all took time out after training at Chadwell Heath recently to join the Anthony Nolan bone marrow register and are hoping to persuade potential donors to follow their lead. Zamora said: "I strongly encourage any person eligible to join the Anthony Nolan register, as every individual is a potential lifesaver. "There are not enough men and not enough people from ethnic minorities on the register, which is quite worrying as any one of us or members of our family could need the help of organisations like the Anthony Nolan Trust at any time, so we hope that, by showing our support, we can encourage more people to join the register." .

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Nice Win But No Rest For Roeder

2006-11-06T03:54:00.000-08:00

TV and its need to get matches involving Sheffield United out of the way early in the season, perhaps police considerations for West Ham v Arsenal), the fact is that the must-win of these two matches for Roeder is the Premiership fixture. After Charlton's visit ended goalless, he cannot afford to fail to take all the points in successive home matches against teams from the bottom three. All credit to Newcastle for their win in Sicily. The victory will be good for morale. But now they must build on it. All the British teams have 100 per cent records from two games. They can all look upon qualification as likely - the top three go through - and group leadership, with the resulting seeding, is on the cards. Teams who top groups play those who came third elsewhere. Teams who come second must face a Champions League reject, a team that finished third in the senior competition's groups.

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COE ASKS WEST HAM FOR MILLIONS

2006-11-06T03:52:00.000-08:00

LONDON -- London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe says West Ham will have to pay at least 100 million pounds ($190 million US) if it wants to use the city's Olympic stadium as a soccer ground. The Hammers have been looking at the possibility of making use of a slimmed-down version of the stadium in East London after the 2012 Olympics. SERBIAN OUSTS TOP CANADIAN Power-spinning Aleksandr Karakasevic of Serbia beat Canada's top player, Wilson Zhang Peng, in six games Sunday to win the TMS Canada Cup table tennis finals at BCIT in Burnaby. The pair split the first four games, but Karakasevic, who earns his living in the German Bundesliga, won the next two 11-9, 11-7. Zhang Peng, who trains out of Ottawa, is hoping to acquire Canadian citizenship in time to compete for Canada at the 2008 Olympics.

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West Ham beat Arsenal

2006-11-06T03:50:00.001-08:00

A Marlon Harewood goal in the final minute of Sunday's game gave West Ham a 1-0 victory and left Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger fuming. Wenger had good reason to be annoyed when referee Rob Styles didn't give his team a penalty after Hammers right-back Jonathan Spector brought down Alexander Hleb in the 68th minute. The French manager also refused to shake hands with West Ham counterpart Alan Pardew at the end of the game after being involved in a pushing match with him following the goal. Wenger didn't attend a press conference after the match, while Pardew tried to put the incident in the past. "It's a pity if this overshadows the game,'' Pardew said. "I was celebrating the goal, that's all I was doing. I will apologise if I offended him.'' And what a goal it was in the 89th minute.

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West Ham and Villa take the points

2006-11-06T03:50:00.000-08:00

05/11/2006: Premiership round-up: Marlon Harewood came off the bench to score a late winner as West Ham beat Arsenal 1-0 at Upton Park. But tempers then frayed when rival managers Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger were involved in a shoving match on the touchline. Robin van Persie also appeared to be hit by a coin thrown from the crowd during the first half of a bad-tempered game, which ended with Wenger refusing to shake Pardew's hand. Tomas Rosicky and Van Persie had the visitors' best opportunities but, like their Champions League clash the previous Tuesday, could not find the finishing touch. Van Persie, who was constantly jeered by home fans, appeared to be struck by a coin just before the break and he was eventually substituted in the second half. When a draw appeared likely, Harewood finished from close range after Matthew Etherington had won the ball in midfield, earning West Ham back-to-back Premiership wins.

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Wins for Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa

2006-11-06T03:49:00.001-08:00

In premiership football, Tottenham Hotspur have recorded their first home win over Chelsea in sixteen years with a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane. Chelsea led through Claude Makelele's 30 metre strike on 15 minutes but Tottenham defender Michael Dawson levelled the match with a glancing header 10 minutes later. Aaron Lennon won the match for Spurs with a goal early in the second half. Chelsea's attempt at a come back was hindered when captain John Terry was sent off for holding. The result means Manchester Utd go 3 points clear at the top of the table. West Ham United have recorded a surprise 1-0 win over Arsenal at Upton Park. Substitute Marlon Harewood struck two minutes from time to hand the East London club the points.

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West Ham United v Arsenal - Player Ratings

2006-11-06T03:49:00.000-08:00

Not taking anything away from a gutsy West Ham performance & yet another 90 minutes of powder puff in front of goal by Thierry & co but yet again we have been robbed by the inadequacies of a poor referee, last week "old mother Riley" this week "Knob" Styles! Apart from not awarding the most blatant penalty you will see this season when Hleb was taken down in the box, ironically committed by a player that was allowed to stay on the pitch after going in studs up into Robin Van Persies knee in the first half, but he also mysteriously booked Clichy failed to book a dive by the dirty foreigner Bowyer & just about got every crucial decision wrong. Although I am sure the boss will put this result down to a combination of poor refereeing and the exertions of mid week the truth is we are not being anywhere near ruthless enough in front of goal.

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West Ham's Ferdinand faces scan

2006-11-06T03:48:00.000-08:00

West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand will have a scan on his Achilles tendon after picking up an injury during the Hammers' dramatic 1-0 win over Arsenal. Ferdinand, 21, was forced off a minute before half-time after blocking a shot by Gunners striker Thierry Henry. The England Under-21 defender was left hobbling in pain and had to be replaced by Northern Ireland's George McCartney. West Ham rose to 15th in the Premiership after Marlon Harewood's 89th-minute goal gave them the spoils. .

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