West Ham United Squad

Carlton Cole

 

Date of Birth : 12th November 1983

Place of Birth : Surrey

Signed : July 2006 (Chelsea)

Position : Centre-Forward

Height : 6.3

Weight : 12.13

Appearances: 59

Goals : 25

International Appearances : 1 (0)

 

 

 

Team (2008-09)
KB HM ST SE SM OB DM GU TM HD SK DE BC
                             
Wigan (16/8)
6
8
6
5
6
7
7
7
5
6
8
 7
7
6.53
3
6
-
-
-
-
5
5
-
4
5
 3
5
4.50
7
7
7
5
7
7
6
7
6
5
8
 7
7
6.61
WBA (13/9)
6
7
6
7
6
6
7
7
7
-
5
 8
6
6.50
7
8
7
7
-
7
8
8
6
9
8
 6
7
7.33
Fulham (27/9)
7
8
7
6
-
7
8
8
7
-
6
 6
7
7.18
Bolton (5/10)
6
6
-
-
-
-
7
6
7
7
7
 7
6
6.55
Hull (19/10)
-
6
-
-
-
-
6
6
7
-
6
 6
6
6.28
Arsenal (26/10)
-
6
-
-
-
-
6
7
7
-
5
 8
6
6.14
Portsmouth (15/11)
5
6
5
5
5
6
5
6
6
4
6
 5
6
5.38
Sunderland (23/11)
-
5
-
-
-
-
7
6
-
6
6
 5
6
5.85
Liverpool (1/12)
-
7
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
6
5
 -
6
6.00
Spurs (8/12)
-
5
-
-
-
-
5
-
-
5
6
 -
5
5.20
Chelsea (14/12)
-
7
-
-
-
-
6
6
5
6
4
 6
7
5.87
Aston Villa (20/12)
-
5
-
7
6
5
6
5
4
5
6
 6
5
5.45
Portsmouth (26/12)
-
7
-
-
-
-
7
6
6
-
6
 -
7
6.50
Stoke (28/12)
6
7
-
-
-
-
7
7
5
6
8
 7
7
6.66
8
6
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
-
7
 7
7
7.08
Fulham (18/1)
8
9
-
-
-
-
9
8
7
9
9
 8
8
8.33
Hull (28/1)
8
8
-
-
-
-
8
-
-
8
8
 -
8
8.00
Arsenal (31/1)
6
6
5
7
6
6
5
5
5
6
7
 6
6
5.76
7
7
-
-
-
7
6
6
7
9
7
 7
7
7.00
Bolton (21/2)
7
7
6
7
7
6
5
6
6
-
7
 7
7
6.58
-
6
-
-
-
-
6
6
7
8
7
 7
7
6.75
Wigan (4/3)
-
5
-
-
4
7
4
-
-
7
6
 -
7
5.71
7
7
-
-
-
7
6
7
6
7
7
 -
8
6.88
                   
Average Rating
6.55

 

KB: KUMB; HM Hammers Mad; ST Sunday Times; SE Sunday Express; SM Sunday Mirror; OB Observer;
DM Daily Mirror; GU Guardian; TM Times; HD Hammers Diary; SK Sky; DE Daily Express BC BBC

 

KUMB: The first goal came on 33 minutes and it was a thing of beauty. Cole fed Boa-Morte who held the ball up well. LBM’s ball inside the full back was a joy to behold and Ilunga’s first-time low cross across the box found Cole totally unmarked at the back post for a fine finish. Excellent goal, and one of the sort we like to see at the Boleyn. (Gordon Thrower)

The Guardian: An overlapping Herita Ilunga duly fizzed a centre across the six-yard box for Carlton Cole, unmarked at the far post, to steer his 10th league goal of term back across two Boro defenders and their floored goalkeeper to establish the hosts' lead. (Dominic Fifield)

Sky Sports: The opener came in the 33rd minute. Luis Boa Morte held the ball up and played Herita Ilunga down the left. The full-back's cross went between Justin Hoyte and Huth, then Cole sent the ball back in the direction it came - between the two defenders but this time into the corner of the net.

KUMB: The first goal came on 33 minutes and it was a thing of beauty. Cole fed Boa-Morte who held the ball up well. LBM’s ball inside the full back was a joy to behold and Ilunga’s first-time low cross across the box found Cole totally unmarked at the back post for a fine finish. Excellent goal, and one of the sort we like to see at the Boleyn. (Gordon Thrower)

The Times: Even if Carlton Cole, eager to impress the watching Fabio Capello, gave Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic the odd awkward moment, there was always a United player willing to get a foot to the ball to divert it to safety. If there was a criticism of West Ham, it was that their devotion to neat, one-touch football at times bordered on the overelaborate — a case of Arsenal syndrome, as it might be known. Cole is in such a rich vein of form, with six goals in eight matches before yesterday, that he seemed at times to be afflicted by overconfidence. That would apply to his unsuccessful attempt to chip Van der Sar in the twelfth minute, after he had wrestled his way past Ferdinand, and to his belief that he could beat Ferdinand for a second time in a crowded penalty area after he was set up well by Behrami soon after. (Oliver Holt)

Daily Mirror: In the claret and blue pantheon of cult hero centre forwards, Carlton Cole’s name may not yet be as revered as Hurst and Di Canio, or McAvennie and Cottee. But England’s latest contender for the No.9 shirt, called up by Fabio Capello on Saturday night, could not be faulted for his industry, even if his finishing ultimately lacked finesse. Under the watching Capello’s gaze, Cole came closest to ending Edwin Van Der Sar’s record lockout after just 12 minutes, but the flying Dutchman scooped the danger out of thin air one-handed. And as Jack Collison, the latest young thruster to graduate from the academy of football, enjoyed a showcase for his expansive talents, Edwin Star was extended again by Hammers skipper Lucas Neill’s speculative curler. For all Cole’s energy and Collison’s promise, however, Van Der Sar’s box has become an unprecedented no-go-zone and West Ham’s enterprise petered out around the final third. (Mike Walters)

The Guardian: Opponents now worry, with good cause, that they are merely delaying a United goal. West Ham wished to offer more than that but openings were scarce. When, with 13 minutes gone, Cole was released by Mark Noble, the striker attempted a fanciful chip despite the fact that the Dutchman was not very far from his line. The save was simple. The uncapped Cole, who is in the squad for Wednesday's friendly with Spain, was among those being watched by the England manager, Fabio Capello. It is a stiff test, all the same, for any striker to make a good impression against United. West Ham still took a degree of pride in their showing. It has to be borne in mind that this side were until quite recently viewed as relegation candidates. (Kevin McCarra)

Hammers News: Di Michele and Cole caused the Hull defenders problems all night. After the game Phil Brown claimed that “the front two were the difference between the two sides.” Brown might want to believe this but in reality West Ham were better than Hull all over the pitch... West Ham had three good opportunities to take the lead before Di Michele curled a lovely shot against the post in the 16 th minute. Soon afterwards a mazy run by the Italian resulted in him being heavily tackled in the area. Di Michele's claims for a penalty were turned down but three minutes later Cole was brought down by Ricketts . Cole made the most of the challenge but Howard Webb clearly made the right decision by awarding a penalty. After going almost a year without a penalty, this was Mark Noble's fourth spot-kick in as many weeks. The previous three had been successfully directed to the left of the goalkeeper but it seems that Duke had done his homework and was able to get his hand to the ball. As recent games have shown, West Ham no longer get disheartened when things go against them. The team continued to press forward and first Cole and then Di Michele missed good chances. In the 33 rd minute Cole found himself on the edge of the area and tried to curl the ball behind Duke. This time the Hull goalkeeper got a hand to the ball but only managed to push the ball to the feet of Di Michele and at last we had our deserved lead.

KUMB: In the 51st minute Di Michele fired against the upright but the ball came out straight to Cole who reacted quickly and it was 2-0. Although his finishing still leaves a lot to be desired, Cole was scoring in his fifth consecutive league game, equalling the record previously held by Tony Cottee, who scored in successive games against Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United in the 1985-86 season.

The Times: After 17 minutes, David Di Michele curled the ball off the inside of the far post. Five minutes later, Carlton Cole tried to turn inside the area and was tugged back by Sam Ricketts. As he fell, Cole spun like a tombola on raffle day, and Howard Webb, the referee, gave a penalty. After going almost a year without taking a spot-kick, this was Mark Noble’s fourth such effort this month. The previous three found the net but this one was mediocre and saved by Duke, selected ahead of Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal. No need to fret with Hull defending so badly. After 33 minutes, Duke parried Cole’s cross-shot into Di Michele’s path, seconds after making a fine save from the Italian, who bundled in the loose ball. (Tom Dart)

Hammer's Diary: There wasn’t a single weakness in this performance, but the best part of it was the burgeoning partnership between Di Michele and Cole. Who’d have thought it? Their interplay tonight had to be seen to be believed. Defensively we were almost perfect. They barely had a shot on goal. Ilunga was able to rampage down the left at will and once Lucas Neill realised he could do the same from time to time, we had the perfect attack. In midfield both Parker and Noble had stormers. Parker got forward a lot more, with Behrami filling in at the back, but Parker is the one who is developing into a massive player for us. It is inconceivable that we sell him. Behrami had his quietest game for a long time but was still impressive. Noble sprayed the ball around well, but his penalty was poor. It’s the third one in a row he has put in the same place. Third time unlucky. It was fantastic to see Di Michele on fire. Amazing what the arrival of a new player can do! He had a couple of superb shots which should have resulted in goals but just clipped the post. The curler in the first half looked a dead cert. He was definitely man of the match. Carlton Cole had another brilliant game too. He had two one on ones and was unlucky with both of them. He held up the ball very well, won a penalty and scored a goal. Fantastic performance.

Hammer's Diary: My three nominations for MOTM would be Valon Behrami, Jack Collison and Carlton Cole. Although Cole had a quiet start to the match, in the second half he was almost unplayable. He won the penalty and his goal was sublime. He had another two spectacular efforts. Amazing what a bit of confidence can do, isn’t it? That makes it 5 goals and 5 assists in 5 matches. We shouldn’t forget that he has scored more goals this season than Craig Bellamy, and has 9 goals in 21 appearances - a respectable ratio by any striker’s standards.

Hammers News: The second-half was more open and although Fulham attacked more often, they never posed a real threat and Green did not have to make a save. The same could also be said of Mark Schwarzer but it was the Fulham defence that always looked like they would make a mistake that would give the home side an opportunity to score. This is what happened when Konchesky dwelt on the ball on the hour mark and Cole robbed him and headed for goal. A few weeks ago the defender would have allowed Cole to go on and shoot over the bar or into the midriff of the goalkeeper. Given his recent form, Konchesky decided he could not take this risk and brought him down from behind. Noble coolly dispatched the penalty and West Ham had a lead that they never looked like loosing. Dickson Etuhu was the next Fulham defender to make a serious mistake. He sliced the ball to Collison who provided a nicely weighted pass to Di Michele, who slipped it through to Cole, who applied a confident touch past the goalkeeper. (John Simkin)

The Times: “Who needs Craig Bellamy?” was the question sung with gusto by the Upton Park crowd as West Ham United hit three goals against a defence that, until yesterday, had been one of the most miserly on its travels in the Barclays Premier League. The answer is that West Ham, like most teams, probably do need a player with Bellamy’s pace – but the fans simply do not want him after the Wales forward announced on Friday that he would not train or play for the club again in the wake of their apparent refusal to sell him to Tottenham Hotspur. And if Carlton Cole’s confidence continues to grow by the week, Bellamy could find that he will not be missed. Cole, well supported by a sharp and quick-thinking David Di Michele, scored his ninth goal of the season and his fifth in as many games, won the penalty from which West Ham took a 2-1 lead and put two shots just wide from outside the penalty area. In the past, those efforts might have brought derision from supporters in the Bobby Moore Stand, but Cole has deservedly won over his critics. “I knew his potential because I can recognise a player,” Gianfranco Zola, the West Ham manager, said. “Today the difference between us and Fulham was Carlton Cole. He made it happen. In the second half, he turned the game around, although he was supported by ten other fantastic players. (Nick Szczepanik)

BBC Sport: The away team's dominance was rewarded when Herita Ilunga's through ball was controlled by Cole with his first touch and smashed into the roof of the net with his second for his fourth goal in as many games.

Sky Sports: West Ham then dominated immediately after the interval and deservedly had their reward on 55 minutes as Carlton Cole collected a long ball from Herita Ilunga to fire into the top corner. Carroll, though, ensured the points were shared as he met a Damien Duff cross to head Newcastle level with 12 minutes remaining.

KUMB: We took a deserved lead on 55 minutes and, once more, the ill-advised Newcastle offside trap played a part in the proceedings. As an attack broke down the ball only made it as far as Ilunga. Cheri played a ball over the top to Cole who was clearly onside. Cole took one touch to control the ball, turned and buried an unstoppable shot past Given into the roof of the net. It was a fine finish and he seemed to forget some of the stick he’s received of late in actually celebrating the goal with the crowd rather than the muted efforts we’e seen from him of late. (Gordon Thrower)

Hammers Mad: Given had to be at his best to deny Mark Noble before the half was up, stopping his low shot with his legs, and Bellamy struck the loose ball into the side-netting. Cole, however, was bang on target 10 minutes after the break when a lofted ball forward from Herita Illunga dropped at his feet in the box, with his shot leaving Given with no chance.

The Sunday Times: West Ham were irate that the referee had turned down a strong case for a penalty when Bassong stretched out his left arm and blatantly felled Bellamy but they channelled their fury in the right way and Cole deservedly shot them into the lead in the 55th minute. He controlled Ilunga’s ball over the top with his thigh and delivered a stunning strike into the roof of the net. (Brian Doogan)

BBC Sport: West Ham snatched a late win over a Stoke side that was reduced to 10 men after striker Ricardo Fuller was sent off for fighting with a team-mate. Abdoulaye Faye's free header which put Stoke ahead was the highlight of a scrappy first half. Carlton Cole turned Andy Griffin to level for West Ham and some fiery Stoke recriminations saw Fuller dismissed. Stoke looked to be heading for a draw until Cole's shot was deflected off Diego Tristan into the net late on.

Sky Sports: There was an element of fortune as Cole controlled Scott Parker's chip into the box, the ball bouncing off a defender, but there was nothing lucky about the finish. Too often criticised for his profligacy in front of goal, Cole swivelled on the loose ball to curl a shot past Sorensen into the far corner... West Ham continued to pressurise with Boa Morte's scuffed shot cleared off the line by Danny Higginbotham and Parker screwing a shot wide from outside the box. In a rare foray forward, Delap tested Green with a low shot, but a minute later West Ham finally breached the defence-minded Stoke when substitute Diego Tristan deflected in Cole's shot for the winner.

Hammers Mad: On 52 minutes, Scott Parker's chip forward found Cole, who got the better of the tumbling Griffin and, as the Stoke skipper languished on his backside, the Hammers' striker spun and lashed a curling 12-yarder wide of Thomas Sorensen's outstretched left palm... Sure enough when Di Michele invited Cole to shoot goalwards with just two minutes remaining, the ball deflected off substitute Tristan's shin to give West Ham three scrappy points.

KUMB: But then things got a whole lot better on 51 minutes as Parker made an awesome chip forward into the box which Cole brought down, shrugged off the unwelcome attentions of Griffin, turned on a sixpence or its decimal equivalent and curled a beautifully controlled shot into the net.... Agony around the Boleyn Ground followed on 65 minutes after Cole did well to grab a ball in the box and slide it over to LBM whose shot spun across the goal. It was one of those will it won’t it go in moments but it was just cleared off the line.... But the pressure finally told with just 4 minutes left after the usual melee in and around the box saw Di Michele slot a nice pass through to Cole who hit it first time with a little helping toe from Tristan to divert past the keeper. (East Stand Martin)

Hammer's Diary: Carlton Cole was largely anonymous in the first half and only really came to life after he scored. Confidence is a wonderful thing. The truth is he should have scored immediately after the Stoke goal. A poacher would have tucked away Collison’s cross without thinking twice. Cole blasted wide. But for all that, he was miles better than the totally ineffective David di Michele.

The Times: It came after 51 minutes when Scott Parker played the ball towards the left where Cole was up against Griffin. The West Ham forward charged down Griffin’s attempted clearance, turned on the loose ball and curled it home.... Only two minutes remained when David Di Michele, receiving the ball from Tristán, waited for his moment before finding Cole 15 yards out with his back to goal. Cole turned and shot and the ball hit Tristán, who had continued his run, and was deflected past Thomas Sorensen to give the former Spain forward his first goal in English football. (Nick Szczepanik)

Daily Mirror: West Ham finally broke Stoke's resistance in the 51st minute when Scott Parker's ball found Cole. City defender Griffin failed to clear and Cole curled home a perfect shot on the turn... West Ham laid siege to the Stoke penalty box, Cole fired in a low shot which deflected off Tristan's boot and into the net to gift the Spanish striker his first goal for the club and a priceless three points for Zola. (John Cross)

The Guardian: They had been especially profligate in the first half when Cole, in particular, wasted the impishinvention of Parker and Valon Behrami by continually misdirecting his shots. (Paul Doyle)

BBC Sport: Pompey's Jermain Defoe missed a penalty before Carlton Cole tapped in a second for West Ham after another Bellamy run.

Sky Sports: Collison's shot minutes later was deflected wide, but the midfielder made no mistake with West Ham's equaliser midway through the half. Cole latched on to Scott Parker's quick free-kick on the left and crossed low to Collison, whose first-time shot went through the legs of an unsighted David James.

Daily Mirror: Carlton Cole scored following his one-on-one striking tuition with his Italian manager after Jack Collison's equaliser had cancelled out Nadir Belhadj's opener for Pompey. And the Hammers fans even had the added pleasure of witnessing former player and permanent boo-boy Jermain Defoe miss a first-half penalty right in front of them before he was subbed. (Neil Mcleman)

The Times: It helped the visiting team that West Ham’s two best chances fell to Carlton Cole, one of those tall centre forwards who seems to become shorter when he jumps. With Dean Ashton not close to a return from injury and Craig Bellamy spending much of his time on the flanks, the burden of goalscoring weighs on Cole’s shoulders like an obese elephant. He has only three goals this season — but that still makes him the club’s top scorer. As a player, Gianfranco Zola could find the net from anywhere, so it is not surprising that the West Ham manager was left frustrated. “I’m going to be working on finishing every single day from now on until he’s fed up with it,” he said. With 12 minutes left, a cross by James Milner deflected off Lucas Neill and looped with cruel inevitability into the far corner to settle an even contest, with Villa creating the better chances, but West Ham exerting more pressure. The final whistle signalled that it’s time to start describing West Ham as “too good to go down”. (Tom Dart)

The Guardian: Potential buyers may hardly regard a club in this situation as a snip at the £250m which Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, West Ham's Icelandic owner, feels is the asking price. Upton Park supporters may be rueing the day their team was sold to a geezer from the geysers. While the home fans were cheered by a performance which echoed the spirit of the 1-1 draw West Ham had forced at Chelsea, the old failings in front of goal were still there. Carlton Cole, having missed a late sitter which would have won them the game at Stamford Bridge, wasted a free header at the far post on the hour when his team were in control. It was not the best of days for the match programme to let on that Cole possesses a Batman costume, risking the odd invitation to take a running jump off a tall building. (David Lacey)

Hammer's Diary: Oh Carlton Cole! You could have been a hero, yet as so often you scuffed your shot. But let’s not be too pernickety. This was a battling performance of the highest order. To play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and emerge with anything is a credit to the team. To nearly emerge with three points was perhaps asking too much. When Bellamy put us one up so early on, I don’t think many of thought Chelsea wouldn’t score at least one goal, and so it proved. Under this amount of pressure far better teams than West Ham have cracked. We didn’t and it is a tribute to the central midfielders and central defenders that we managed to maintain out discipline. Up front Bellamy battled and harried as if his life depended on it. He took his goal brilliantly. Cole was useless in the first half and lost possession almost every time he got the ball. In the second half he somehow discovered some controlled aggression and managed to hold the ball up well and had a couple of chances he should have done better with.

Daily Telegraph: West Ham were unfortunate, having convincingly played Arsenal at their own dazzling game, and their sense of injustice was magnified when Carlton Cole was harshly shown a straight red card for sliding in on Alexandre Song in the dying seconds. Gianfranco Zola indicated the club would ask referee Phil Dowd to review the incident but they are unlikely to have the possibility of appeal. "It would be easy for me to have a go at the players but their attitude was fantastic," Zola said. On Cole’s challenge he argued: "It was not worth a three-match ban."

BBC Sport: West Ham handed a first start to Craig Bellamy for nearly a year and he showed flashes of being back to his dangerous best. He got away down the left side and picked out Cole, only for the in-form forward to fire straight at Myhill... West Ham could have levelled almost immediately when Behrami burst down the right and picked out Cole in the area. He turned and as he fell to the ground he managed to get a shot in from inside the six-yard box, but his effort came back off the underside of the bar. West Ham threatened in patches, with Matthew Etherington having their best chance of earning a point when he volleyed into the side-netting after strong play down the left side by Cole.

Sky Sports: The opener almost came from Bellamy, who blazed high and wide from a tight angle after Cole's clever knock-down in first-half injury time. But in the end it came for the home side six minutes into the second half, when Turner out-jumped Matthew Upson to head home Dawson's impressive corner from the right. The Hammers had a golden chance to equalise two minutes later when Valon Behrami got round the back of the Hull defence and set up Cole on the edge of the six-yard box, but the striker scythed his shot against the underside of the bar.

Hammers Mad: Carlton Cole then missed a great opportunity for the visitors when Craig Bellamy raced down the left and played in a neat ball into the feet of the striker, but the ex-Chelsea man could only place the ball straight into the arms of keeper Boaz Myhill... The home side took the lead on 51 minutes when Turner rose to thump in a Andy Dawson corner from six yards out with a pin-point header. Gianfranco Zola's men nearly equalised within seconds when Valon Behrami played a neat ball into the feet of Cole who managed to turn his man and fire in a right-footed shot from close range, but the ball slammed against the crossbar allowing the Hull defence to clear.

The Times: Despite Hull’s rugged defending, West Ham created and missed three decent openings in the first half alone. After 16 minutes, Carlton Cole hit a first-time shot from Matthew Etherington’s cross into Boaz Myhill’s hands, Hérita Ilunga put a free header well wide from Etherington’s corner after 26 minutes and Craig Bellamy, making his first start of the season, shot high from Cole’s headed pass.

The Guardian: Given that the Hammers' front line saw Craig Bellamy and Matthew Etherington featuring on either side of Carlton Cole, it seemed unlikely that the ball would spend too much time in midfield, an impression which proved accurate in an opening quarter during which, if City had the majority of possession, much the better football was played by the visitors. It should have been rewarded after 15 minutes when Bellamy followed a run down the left with a cross which found Cole unmarked eight yards from goal, only for the striker to steer his shot straight at Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill, who saved with ease.... Having already put the ball in the net illegitimately, though cleverly, after nipping the ball off Myhill in mid-clearance - and having been booked for his pains - left-back Herita Ilunga timed his run to meet Mark Noble's corner perfectly, only to head wide from little more than six yards. West Ham should still have gone in ahead though, after Cole headed Noble's cross neatly into the path of Bellamy... Cole followed a muscular run down the left with a cross which Etherington volleyed into the side-netting and Noble's free-kick from 20 yards failed to beat the wall as the visitors struggled to unlock Hull's resilient defence.

Sky Sports: The first decent opening came after 12 minutes. Cole, the Hammers main attacking threat following injury to England striker Dean Ashton, collected the ball 25 yards out and made space for a shot, which flew just over the crossbar... Cole reduced the arrears on 69 minutes when he headed home in off the underside of the crossbar. West Ham looked to find an early way back into the match following the restart, but despite continued possession, the home side again lacked ideas in the final third. However, only a stunning save from Jussi Jaaskelainen prevented them from pulling a goal back on 50 minutes. Cole made space for himself to turn some 25 yards out and sent in a looping shot which flew over the Bolton keeper - but he somehow got his trailing hand to the ball and pushed it onto the post.

Hammers Mad: Gianfranco Zola tasted success in west London once more as his West Ham side recorded their first away victory of the season after a 2-1 win at Fulham. The former Chelsea star watched his players produce a smash and grab raid to give the little Italian his second consecutive league win since taking over from Alan Curbishley. Fulham have not tasted league success against West Ham at the Cottage since 1966 and, despite dominating for long periods, Roy Hodgson's men rarely looked like breaking their hoodoo. Carlton Cole and Matthew Etherington struck in the final three minutes of the first-half to condemn Fulham to a harsh defeat, while the hosts were also reduced to ten men after Andy Johnson was sent off. Danny Murphy's penalty had given Hodgson's men a glimmer of hope of snatching a point from a fiery contest, but their failure to convert a whole host of goalscoring opportunities ultimately cost them dear.

The Times: A bad week for Carlton Cole ended on a high note after the West Ham United forward scored a crucial goal to help his team to win in front of Fabio Capello, the England manager. Cole was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving last week, but he reminded Capello at Craven Cottage that he can become an understudy to Emile Heskey at international level. “It hasn’t been the best of weeks but I will take my punishment,” Cole, who has been fined for breaking club rules, said. “I’ve learnt my lesson. I have apologised for being stupid. I am normal. I am not an alcoholic.” Cole gave his team the lead against the run of play during a mad three minutes near the stroke of half-time. Fulham had been running the show, but Cole’s goal — a close-range strike after Mark Schwarzer had failed to deal with a low cross — changed the game. West Ham’s lead was increased two minutes later when Matthew Etherington beat Schwarzer with a cool chip after the Fulham goalkeeper had rushed off his line to intercept a through-ball. Fulham’s problems were compounded when Andrew Johnson was shown a second yellow, for fouling Lucas Neill, and sent off. (Kaveh Solhekol)

Daily Mirror: West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola says Cole has been full of remorse after his arrest for being over the limit at 4.30am after a night out last week and was full of praise for the striker's response at Craven Cottage. It left Zola claiming that Cole is an "unbelievable" talent and deserves an England call-up as well as another night out after scoring West Ham's opener in front of Fabio Capello. Zola said: "It was fantastic. It was the perfect way to respond. He scored a goal, he helped the team so much... "He's a player who wants to improve and if he carries on like this he's going to be important, and not just for us. I believe that if he plays like this all the time he can have a lot of opportunities. Yet Carlton Cole is not playing at his best. If he improves his finishing, and the way he works for the team, he will be an unbelievable player." England Under-21 striker Cole insists he is ready to grasp that chance and his apology seemed genuine. Cole said: "It hasn't been the best of weeks, but I will take my punishment. I've learned my lesson and I won't make a mistake like this again. I let the club down and I am sorry to the fans. I let my family down, too. The club has been very supportive. The manager saw me as a kid at Chelsea. He knows what I can do. He knows I have changed as a man and a player. I have had a discussion with him and the board and I have apologised for being stupid. I am just a normal person and I'm not an alcoholic. Everyone will tell you that usually I am the first one in for training and the last one out." Cole was terrific in a pulsating London derby in which Fulham were desperately unlucky to lose, but striker Andy Johnson was the villain for getting himself sent off. (John Cross)

The Guardian: The low centre with which Di Michele set up Etherington to score eight minutes after half-time looked as if it might have been a miscued attempt at a shot but the Italian had done enough to earn the crowd's approval, although Cole's selfless running and willingness to take on defenders in batches were equally crucial to West Ham's victory. Zola was careful to mention this amid his praise for the win, the team, the performance, the crowd and life in general. "Cole was occasionally up against two defenders today and he was unbelievable." he said. "He started playing with me when I was at Chelsea and I feel he can become much better. There are things he can improve on but he has all the qualities to play for the national team." (David Lacey)

The Guardian: Every West Ham player who spoke at The Hawthorns enthused about the prospect of working under the former Italy international and none more so than Carlton Cole, who knows Zola better than any at Upton Park having played with him at Chelsea. "I was just chuffed to hear he (Zola) was in the running for the job so of course I'm really happy he has now joined West Ham," said Cole. "I've always looked up to Franco, he was one of those guys that if he saw something wrong in your game he'd give you advice on how to improve it. He was always out on the pitch after training doing extra work and he'd tell me to do the same thing, which I did. There's no doubt he's had a big impact on my life." Having helped Cole, Zola may well now ask the 24-year-old to assist him in making the tricky transition from Chelsea legend to West Ham manager. Cole knows first-hand the difficulties of moving between the local rivals, having struggled to win over the Upton Park supporters following his arrival from Stamford Bridge in July 2006. He is sure, though, that Zola will not suffer the same problems. "The fans will take to Franco straight away, he's such a nice guy, you can't hate him," said the forward. "He's got so much passion for football and its obvious he is going to put 100% into this job. He's a good man and he doesn't talk any rubbish." (Sachin Nakrani )

 

Team (2007-08) KB HM ST SE SM OB DM GU TM HD SK DE AVE
                           
Reading (01/9)
6
6
7
7
6
8
6
6
4
-
7
6
5.3
6
7
7
6
5
7
6
-
6
-
7
7
6.4
-
5
-
-
-
-
5
6
4
-
7
6
5.3
Aston Villa (6/10)
6
6
6
7
-
4
-
-
4
-
5
5
5.4
Sunderland (14/10)
-
7
-
-
-
-
6
6
6
7
7
6
6.3
Portsmouth (27/10)
-
7
6
6
5
8
8
7
8
-
6
8
6.9
Bolton (4/11)
6
6
-
-
-
-
7
6
6
7
6
6
6.2
Derby (10/11)
8
8
8
8
8
9
7
7
7
-
7
7
7.7
Spurs (25/11)
-
6
-
-
-
-
7
8
-
8
8
8
7.3
Chelsea (1/12)
7
7
6
7
6
8
6
7
6
8
5
8
6.9
Blackburn (9/12)
-
6
-
-
-
-
7
5
6
7
6
6
6.3
Everton (15/12)
5
5
5
5
5
6
5
6
6
-
5
6
5.4
Reading (26/12)
-
5
-
-
-
-
5
3
-
5
5
-
4.3
7
7
8
6
6
7
7
7
8
9
7
8
7.3
Arsenal (1/1/2008)
7
7
-
-
-
-
6
7
-
-
7
-
6.4
Fulham (12/1/2008)
6
6
5
6
5
7
6
6
4
7
7
6
5.9
Manchester City (21/1/2008)
-
7
-
-
-
-
7
7
6
8
8
7
7.2
Liverpool (30/1)
6
7
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
-
9
6
6.8
Wigan (2/2)
5
6
5
5
4
6
4
5
6
-
5
4
5.0
5
5
7
7
7
4
6
6
6
-
6
6
5.9
Fulham (23/2)
6
6
7
6
6
6
7
7
6
-
6
7
6.3
Chelsea (1/3)
5
5
6
5
6
5
7
6
6
8
6
5
5.8
Liverpool (5/3)
-
6
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
-
6
-
6.0
Sunderland (29/3)
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
5
-
6
6
5.9
Portsmouth (8/4)
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
-
6.0
Bolton (12/4)
-
5
5
6
5
5
5
-
-
5
6
5
5.2
Derby (19/4)
6
-
-
6
7
-
-
-
-
-
7
6
6.4
6
5
-
6
5
6
6
-
5
7
7
6
5.9
5
5
5
6
5
5
5
-
4
-
5
4
4.9
5
-
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
-
5
6
5.5
               
Average Rating
6.05

KB: KUMB; HM Hammers Mad; ST Sunday Times; SE Sunday Express; SM Sunday Mirror; OB Observer;
DM Daily Mirror; GU Guardian; TM Times; HD Hammers Diary; SK Sky; DE Daily Express

 

 

Sunday Mirror: Upton Park has become the byword this year for impatient fans and yesterday they booed off Alan Curbishley and his players - even though they'd won. The Hammers boss had already had a chorus of "you don't know what you're doing" when he took off 18-year-old striker Freddie Sears with 17 minutes left. And even though his replacement Carlton Cole hit the winning goal less than 200 seconds after coming on to prove the West Ham manager did know what he was doing it didn't spare Curbishley from more stick off the fans. "I'm disappointed by the crowd's reaction to be honest," admitted a bewildered Curbishley. "I know it's the trend. Last week I heard Gary Megson getting the same chants from Bolton fans and he's just won two games on the trot. I can't remember a time when one of my teams has been booed off for winning before but I'm sure it must have happened. I understand that if this crowd isn't happy they will let you know. It's happened to previous managers and it will happen to whoever comes after me. The flipside is if you can start winning games and playing some decent football they will be just as ferocious in their support.We saw that last season. But I just don't know why they don't recognise the depth of the problems we've had with injuries, and how well we've done to have got the results that we have." (Ralph Ellis, 20th April 2008)

Sunday Times: Alan Curbishley, West Ham’s manager, had the unpleasant experience of being booed off the field at the end by his own supporters. He was, he admitted, philosophically “a bit disappointed” but pointed out the significant fact that no fewer than 14 of his first team squad were injured. Of these, such major figures as Craig Bellamy, Matthew Etherington and Lee Bowyer were long-term casualties. On Friday, he learned that three more of his first-choice men, among them his centre-forward Dean Ashton, were for one reason or another unfit to play. This led inevitably to a patched-up side that included two teenagers in the centre-back James Tomkins, with whom Curbishley was pleased, and the striker Freddie Sears. It was somewhat ironic that the crowd should chant: “You don’t know what’re doing!” at Curbishley when he substituted Cole for Sears 28 minutes into the second half, since Cole it was who eventually scored the deciding goal. In retrospect, you did wonder why he, with his experience and physical power, had not been on from the beginning.

KUMB: With 73 minutes on the clock came the first substitution with Sears going off to be replaced by Cole. This prompted chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing.” This seemed a tad unfair to me under the circumstances. Sears had struggled to make much of an impact and was clearly tiring. On the other hand Zamora’s touch had been poor throughout and my own preference would normally be for a little and large combination up front so I wouldn’t have been too surprised to see Zamora being the one to go. Either way the front pairing needed freshening up so the change had merit. The move paid dividends within a few minutes. In one of the few examples of decent football of the game, Noble played a lovely return pass inside the full-back to Ljungberg whose cross across goal was turned into the roof of the net from close range by Cole. A couple of minutes after the goal Solano came on to replace Faubert. Solano got a few interesting looking crosses in over the remaining ten minutes or so but at the end it was the visitors who had a couple of chances to equalise, a Savage free header going harmlessly over as the three minutes of stoppage time started. At this point Boa Morte replaced Ljungberg to a chorus of boos. Now I understand the principle that states you have a right to boo a player because you’ve shelled out your hard-earned to watch a match but booing someone before they’ve actually stepped onto the pitch seems stupid to me... On the bright side, Tomkins continued to show promise which, given the number of defenders we have on the treatment table, is no bad thing. (Gordon Thrower, 21st April 2008)

The Times: West Ham, though, stole the points when Carlton Cole, who took the field to jeers after replacing Freddie Sears, converted Ljungberg’s cross from close range three minutes later. Cole is one of the players who has had increased first-team opportunities thanks to the many bumps and bruises in the East End, not that the locals have been impressed. The owners, too, have hinted that Alan Curbishley’s squad may have to be trimmed in the summer and Cole knows that he and others face a more strenuous battle for their futures at the club, let alone for playing time. “Do we have to fight for our futures? Definitely,” Cole said. “We have to fight all the time. We’ve had a lot of injuries and a few of the players have not played much. They’re going to want to get in the team next season. There’s going to be a lot of competition in terms of who’s going to stay and who’s going to go. There could be a few worried people this summer. But that’s how football is.”

BBC Sport: In the first half, Cole saw three scoring opportunities go begging. First, the striker's dipping shot was saved by Niemi. Then Boa Morte, under pressure from Brede Hangeland, put Cole clear through, but his right-footed shot was diverted to safety by Paul Konchesky. Cole conjured another chance, meeting Julien Faubert's cross in the air and firing the ball towards the goal, only for it to clip over the bar. Boa Morte wasted another decent chance for the visitors when his header from close range looped over the woodwork.

Daily Telegraph: Only two players, one on each side, emerged from this mishmash with any real credit. Jimmy Bullard, gaining in confidence with every game since he came back from his long injury lay-off, prompted Fulham's attack assiduously without being able to produce the final pass that would have brought a shot at goal, which his team did not have until the 38th minute. But Bullard was matched, particularly in the second half, by Mark Noble, who drove West Ham on at every opportunity. If Carlton Cole had responded more clinically to the service he received from Noble and others, he might have had a hat-trick. Cole's worst miss was a header straight at Niemi from a Freddie Ljungberg cross midway through the second half. (Colin Malam, 25th February, 2008)

Sky Sports: West Ham controlled much of the opening exchanges and it came as no surprise when they took the lead inside seven minutes. George McCartney's long throw from the left was flicked on by Carlton Cole and Freddie Ljungberg ghosted in at the back post to bundle the ball home from close range.

BBC Sport: The Londoners looked bright and inventive while the Blues appeared sluggish and defensively disorganised, and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead. Cole showed great strength at the front post to flick on George McCartney's long throw and Ljungberg reacted quickly to fire the ball into the roof of the net. It was no more than West Ham deserved, and they had chances to extend their lead.

Daily Mirror: For West Ham, a point on their travels may be considered reasonable given they still have a game in hand. Yet they will know all too well they wasted a glorious chance of victory... even if they did manage to score against their jinx side. There seemed little danger even after the usually immaculate Richard Dunne played a howler of a pass out of defence straight to Mark Noble. A swift exchange and Freddie Ljungberg delivered his cross to Carlton Cole, heavily marked, and back to goal. Even worse the ball jumped on him as it arrived, but the West Ham striker launched a wonderful overhead kick that squirmed into the corner of the net. It was a thing of beauty that transcended everything that had gone before it. (David Maddock, 21st January, 2008)

Daily Telegraph: In the aftermath of a game salvaged by two superlative saves from Joe Hart, one with his boots from Mark Noble, the other a stoppage time tip-over from Carlton Cole, Dietmar Hamann stood, hands on his hips, admitting that a point was all Manchester City could have hoped for. "We didn't play well. In the second half we could not create anything and West Ham always looked dangerous," the midfielder said. "We cannot complain about a point. There have been a few sloppy performances in the last few weeks and we have got away with it. The defence has kept our position in the League but we have got to be better going forward." (Tim Rich, 21st January, 2008)

Sky Sports: Ljungberg's pinpoint delivery picked out Ashton, who had escaped Hughes on an angled run towards the near post and the England prospect glanced his header past Niemi. The goal injected some confidence into the West Ham side and after Carlton Cole escaped the Fulham defence to earn a corner Niemi needed to be alert to hold onto Ferdinand's header. West Ham had their tails up and controlled the last 15 minutes of the first half - but found Niemi in inspirational form. The Finn produced a spectacular save from Ashton, whose left-foot volley from 15-yards seemed a certain goal until it was deflected up and onto the bar. Cole's flick then found Ashton who checked, cut back inside and curled a left-foot strike which forced Niemi into an acrobatic one-handed stop. Cole worked a golden chance for himself, holding off Hughes to find himself one-on-one with Niemi but only managed to poke his shot straight at the keeper.

The Observer: Sadly for Hodgson, Fulham still have a predilection to lose leads and it was no surprise when in the 28th minute Dean Ashton brilliantly glanced in Freddie Ljungberg's cross past Antti Niemi. And, but for the Finn, Ashton could have had a hat-trick and Carlton Cole two. (Philip Dorward, 13th December, 2008)

KUMB: A clever header from Cole saw Ashton bring Etherington into play. Matty’s first low cross was low and blocked. His second effort found Ashton who had the time and space to chest the ball down and volley goalwards only for him to find Niemi in fine form, the ‘keeper’s tip onto the bar being well worth the generous applause it got from all four sides of the ground. Damn him! We started to play fairly well and, for once, we were actually looking to use the flanks and both Etheringon and Ljungberg were getting involved. Cole & Ashton were beginning to link well as well. A Cole flick on sent Ashton wide of the goal. There didn’t seem to be too much danger as Ashton manoeuvred himself back to the corner of the box but suddenly he found the space to send a curling effort that brought another fine save from Niemi who tipped the goalbound shot over the bar. Damn him! The resulting corner from Noble caused a few problems but Fulham scrambled clear. (Gordon Thrower, 14th December, 2008)

The Guardian: The match changed before that; the cross swung in from the right by Freddie Ljungberg, from which Dean Ashton equalised, was by some way the best thing any West Ham player did in an abject opening half-hour. Suddenly, something clicked. For Ljungberg it might have been a familiar feeling, his recent hamstring troubles ending only after a masseur took extreme action on his back. "There was a massive crack," he said. "That did the trick." The only massive cracks from then on were in the Fulham defence. Twice Antti Niemi saved well from Ashton while Carlton Cole wasted a wonderful chance from Ljungberg's pass. In the second half Paul Konchesky cleared Cole's header off the line before Mark Noble slid in a low cross and Ferdinand shot into the roof of the net. "He's probably the best finisher at the club," said Cole, who certainly is not. (Simon Burnton, 14th December, 2008)

Sunday Times: West Ham, who played with five in midfield and the excellent Carlton Cole as a lone striker, played the neater and more industrious football. Cole has been a revelation this season, his confidence boosted by a prolonged run in the side, his strength a constant threat to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic at the centre of an unusually hesitant United defence. (Andrew Longmore, 30th December, 2007)

The Times: Rarely have United been so tormented and looked so lifeless. West Ham’s five-man midfield was so effective that Ferguson was forced to reshape his formation midway through the first half. The rangy Carlton Cole gave Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, pillars of the meanest defence in the Premiership, more trouble than they could handle, while Carlos Tévez could deliver no hammer blows on his emotional homecoming after his exploits for West Ham last season. (Gary Jacob, 31st December, 2007)

Hammers Diary: I am sure I am not alone when I say how proud I was of our performance against Chelsea. We deserved at least a point, and defensively we were awesome. It givesd me real hope for the future if we continue to play with that level of total commitment and skill. We were never going to have a huge number of goalscoring opportunities, and so it proved, but again, Carlton Cole worked his dogs bits off and Luis Boa Morte had his best game in a Hammers shirt. Scott Parker was terrific in midfield, with Upson the star of a superb back four. I really cannot praise them too highly. Let’s hope this kind of form is carried forward into the two Everton matches and beyond. (Iain Dale, 2nd December, 2007)

Daily Telegraph: Following the stirring examples set by Danny Gabbidon and Carlton Cole at either end of the field, West Ham ruffled some famous feathers and tried the patience of their hosts to near breaking point. (Clive Tyldesley, 3rd December, 2007)

Sky Sports: West Ham's frustration was their inability to build on an encouraging first half, sparked early when the hapless Younes Kaboul dawdled in possession then had his clearance charged down by Luis Boa Morte. The Portuguese slipped an over-lapping Nolberto Solano free down the right with the Peruvian's unselfish centre tapped into an unguarded net by a rejuvenated Carlton Cole. The striker was excellent, with this a workaholic display of strength to suggest potential is at last being realised, though he was not victorious... Cole has been much maligned, but worked tirelessly here to unsettle the visitors' back line. His late shot from outside the area, saved by Robinson, might have yielded a win. Despite a bright start from Spurs, Alan Curbishley's men took the initiative on 20 minutes when Luis Boa Morte capitalised on a Younes Kaboul error to release Nolberto Solano who crossed for Cole tap home. (25th November, 2007)

Daily Telegraph: Kaboul's casual defending was a liability right up until the moment he was replaced soon after the interval, and when Luis Boa Morte charged down his attempted clearance, Tottenham were undone. Nolberto Solano arrived at Boa Morte's shoulder to square the ball for Carlton Cole to side-foot into the empty net. Cole was outstanding throughout, troubling Spurs both upstairs and downstairs with his heading and running ability. (Clive Tyldesley, 26th November, 2007)

Daily Mirror: Kaboul has endured a nightmare since arriving from Marseille for £7.8million in the summer after being billed as one of the best defensive prospects in Europe. The bungling centre-back was caught in possession as Luis Boa Morte charged down his attempted clearance, then played a clever reverse pass to Nobby Solano and his cross was fired into an empty net by Carlton Cole... Carlton Cole is equal top in assists this season. The striker has laid on six goals, the same as Cesc Fabregas. (John Cross, 26th November, 2007)

The Guardian: West Ham's frustration was their inability to build on an encouraging first half, sparked early when the hapless Younes Kaboul dawdled in possession then had his clearance charged down by Luis Boa Morte. The Portuguese slipped an over-lapping Nolberto Solano free down the right with the Peruvian's unselfish centre tapped into an unguarded net by a rejuvenated Carlton Cole. The striker was excellent, with this a workaholic display of strength to suggest potential is at last being realised, though he was not victorious... Cole has been much maligned, but worked tirelessly here to unsettle the visitors' back line. His late shot from outside the area, saved by Robinson, might have yielded a win. (Dominic Fifield, 26th November, 2007)

Sky Sports: Luis Boa Morte went close to opening the scoring, bursting clear down the right side and leaving Marc Edworthy - making his first appearance of the season - on the deck in the area. The Portuguese's left-foot finish was blocked but only to Carlton Cole, whose follow up was saved by Stephen Bywater. West Ham were looking increasingly threatening as the half wore on, their best move of the match almost releasing Cole but still resulting in a free-kick inches outside the box. It looked too close for a direct strike but Solano did his best to prove otherwise with a delightful effort against the crossbar. With half-time approaching, the visitors finally took the lead they deserved. Solano's cross found Cole in the box and his nod down allowed the criminally unmarked Bowyer to sweep the ball through Bywater's legs and into the net.

Hammers Mad: Nolberto Solano had hit the bar with a superb 20-yard free-kick before man-of-the-match Lee Bowyer gave West Ham the lead they richly deserved. Solano's cross was headed down by Carlton Cole and Bowyer ran unmarked into the box to slide the ball home. The opening minutes of the second half was a nightmare for Derby as West Ham created chances at will. Luis Boa Morte was unlucky not to score in the 46th minute and from the resulting corner Matthew Upson rattled the Derby woodwork. Then three goals in just eight minutes put the game beyond doubt. Kenny Miller had missed Derby's best chance, squandering a free header, before West Ham put the matter beyond doubt. John Paintsil found Matthew Etherington in the box and after a clever one-two with Bowyer, Etherington swept the ball home. A minute later Jonathon Spector saw his goalbound shot carried over the line by the unfortunate Eddie Lewis for an own goal. Bowyer then ran through unmarked on the hour to score number four after Solano played in Cole, who neatly crossed into the midfielder's path. With the game won West Ham indulged in some passing football as Derby desperately tried to salvage some pride. But there was worst to come on 68 minutes when Solano curled another delightful free-kick into the net, beating both the wall and the keeper from 20 yards out.

Sunday Times: Having flirted with a solitary striker in recent weeks, Curbishley introduced Jonathan Spector into the centre of midfield for the first time in his career, started with Luis Boa Morte alongside Carlton Cole and reverted to the ever-trusty 4-4-2. Derby, who used three different attacking combinations at Villa Park last week, chanced a fourth, with Giles Barnes deployed just behind Kenny Miller. They were still getting to grips with their formation five minutes in when Spector ploughed through a defence so uncertain of just who should pick him up, that nobody did, setting a template for the afternoon. With Matthew Etherington unmarked in the penalty area and screaming for a simple pass, the American selfishly shot wide. The early skirmishes were full-blooded but whenever West Ham strolled over the halfway line, panic coursed through the home ranks. Soon Cole’s cute headed flick was enabling Boa Morte to charge through on Edworthy. The makeshift centre-half promptly fell over. Boa Morte’s shot was blocked and erstwhile Hammer Stephen Bywater expertly pawed aside Cole’s follow-up. (John Aizlewood, 11th November, 2007)

Sunday Mirror: Solano thought he had opened the scoring when his beautifully struck free-kick curled around the wall, but it hit the underside of the crossbar. The inevitable opener came just before half-time. Luis Boa Morte found Solano, whose chip was headed down by Cole to the unmarked Bowyer. He took his time before slotting the ball through Bywater's legs. Soon after the restart Matthew Upson met a corner with a first-time half-volley which crashed against the bar. But West Ham's' second was not long in coming. When Boa Morte played the ball in, Etherington exchanged passes with Bowyer before sliding it past the sprawling Bywater. It was 3-0 when Derby failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to Jonathan Spector, whose shot deflected in off Lewis. The farcical defending got worse as Solano put Cole through and his first-time cross was slid in by an unmarked Bowyer. Solano then struck home a 25-yard free-kick to complete Derby's misery. (Anthony Clavane, 11th November, 2007)

KUMB: The ineffectual Miller was taken off on 74 minutes for Fagan, and the latter did make a good run and shot a couple of minutes later which Green held well down low. The rest of the half was really uneventful apart from Fagan fouling Matty and Neill and getting away with it. The match fizzled out with the travelling fans taunting Billy Davies with a chorus of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. It took a time to get out and we saw a few West Ham players do their ‘warm-down’. Limping along in slow motion was a spent Nobby Solano who had played a highly influential role in the game along with the tireless Carlton Cole. I now ask all those who were berating this player just a few weeks ago to send in their apologies c/o Chadwell Heath. You know who you are. (East End Martin, 11th November, 2007)

The Observer: he match had been slumbering when Carlton Cole came close to winning it. His swivel and shot unluckily hit the bar in the 65th minute. This presented Solano with the easier of his chances, though the rebound that came to him at speed. Still, the Peruvian will hate to see replays of his insipid stooping header. An earlier opportunity for West Ham's full debutant came in the 24th minute. Again the improving Cole was the provider. Playing in the middle off Craig Bellamy - who went off at half time with a groin strain - and Solano, the big striker dribbled expertly down the left. His cross came back and this time Cole found Solano, who had drifted superbly from his central midfield position into the area. But the header again was just too weak.

Daily Express: The point West Ham clawed from the fortress of Fratton Park was as much a tribute to Carlton Cole as it was to goalkeeper Robert Green. The unstinting workload Cole took on in the new system Alan Curbishley tried out was matched only by Green's last-minute penalty save. And it could yet see Cole finally accepted by the demanding Upton Park fans who have never really taken to the England Under-21 striker. At times they have made his life a misery, come close to driving him out of the club and even left him wondering if he had any future in the game. But asked to play the lone role up front, Cole was immense and while Green was rightly garlanded with praise for his spot-kick heroics, with Portsmouth failing to score for the first time in six matches, the Hammers showed again they are well equipped to be successful away from home. Curbishley has often debated the best way to utilise Cole's talents and at last appears to have found the way to satisfy the young striker, too. Cole said: "I finished the match exhausted, I was in a different role doing the hold-up play with two wide men linking. It put Portsmouth under pressure and I know I gave Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin plenty to think about. "The manager asked a lot of me and I'd like to think I gave two central defenders as good as them a hard time. It meant putting myself about and I enjoyed it. Perhaps I have done enough now to stay in because I've never really had a run of games in any side in my entire career. I've always been under pressure to come in and make an instant impact instead of trying to establish myself as a proper player." (Nigel Clarke, 29th October, 2007)

The Times: Carlton Cole tries the patience of West Ham United fans, but he is also trying his hardest. For the critics on internet messageboards such as these and those in the stands who have jeered him, trying is not enough. Cole knows it and it torments him. “They have been on my back,” the striker said. “I got booed a lot. It hurts. It’s in my hands to try to get them on my side. I know when I get on I try my utmost. In the past, I’ve never been match fit and I’m trying to do something special. And if it didn’t work out I got stick. But I’m trying to establish myself as a proper player.” Cole, nearly 24, began his career at Chelsea and scored in only his second match, in April 2002. But he went on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Charlton Athletic and Aston Villa before signing permanently for West Ham in the summer of 2006. Since then he has made only 12 appearances. “I’ve had people around me off the pitch. I train well,” he said. “I have got a sports psychologist. He is with me every day. He talks to me; he does a lot – mental things you don’t think about as a footballer. Some people have it naturally, some don’t.” Given a chance because of his club’s injury problems, Cole scored against Sunderland last week and impressed against Portsmouth on Saturday, hitting the bar and leading the line with effort and strength. ITom Dart, 29th October, 2007)

The Guardian: West Ham had the two best chances from open play. In the 24th and 65th minutes Nolberto Solano missed open headers from inside the box after good work on both occasions from Carlton Cole. Cole has endured a difficult time since his arrival to West Ham last year. But he put in a mature performance against Portsmouth's robust central defensive partnership of Distin and Sol Campbell which suggests the 23-year-old will soon add to his one goal this season. He will certainly have to take on more goalscoring responsibilities after Craig Bellamy joined Dean Ashton on West Ham's injured list. The Welshman had to be substituted at half-time with a persistent groin injury. "Carlton Cole was excellent today," said Curbishley. "He's hopefully won over a few people, including West Ham fans." (Sachin Nakrani, 29th October, 2007)

Daily Mirror: Hammers boss Alan Curbishley's Icelandic paymasters are unlikely to be appeased by mid-table consolidation, and he was grateful for the reassurance of Carlton Cole's first goal since January. Former Sunderland defender George McCartney's deep cross, from near the left corner flag, took a deflection and Cole headed firmly beyond Craig Gordon after just eight minutes.... West Ham's back four were adrift in their own post code again when Leadbitter's rising left foot shot was brilliantly tipped against the woodwork by Robert Green. Both managers highlighted Green's save as a turning point, with Keane conceding: "Sometimes you can be critical of your own strikers when they miss chances, but you have to take your hat off the to keeper, it was an unbelievable save." (Mike Walters, 15th October, 2007)

Sky Sports: West Ham then enjoyed the majority of possession and were unfortunate not to be awarded a second half penalty when Zat Knight hauled down Carlton Cole in the 18-yard box, but they looked blunt in attack and failed to muster an equaliser... Another member of McClaren's latest England squad, Dean Ashton, had a quiet afternoon and picked up a knee injury which could rule him out of the forthcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers with Estonia and Russia... The first decent opening fell to the home side after five minutes when Young turned past Gabbidon and sent over an inviting low cross, but Luke Moore failed to connect with a volley. West Ham tried to retaliate and Freddie Ljungberg ran at full tilt to meet a deep centre by Matthew Etherington but his flying header was well saved by Carson who was perfectly positioned... Villa, though, almost gifted West Ham an equaliser after 55 minutes when a poor clearing header by Mellberg went straight to Cole just outside the six-yard box, but he failed to make proper contact and Carson was able to save. (6th October, 2007)

BBC Sport: Young, showing flashes of inspiration, was prominent as Villa continued to create and waste chances. The winger had shouts for a penalty before sending in a cross that Agbonlahor could only head straight at Robert Green. But their pressure paid off on 23 minutes. Gabbidon tripped Agbonlahor 20 yards out and paid the ultimate price as it was his deflection that sent Gardner's free kick past Green... West Ham's chances were sporadic, but Cole should have done better when the ball fell to him 10 yards out after a weak clearance in the 56th minute. Villa had shouts for a penalty turned down on 75 minutes as Young tormented the defence once more. His cross after cutting in from the left appeared to brush Neill's arm, but referee Steve Tanner was unmoved. Temporarily awoken from their slumber, West Ham briefly threatened as Cole volleyed narrowly over from 15 yards. But the chance failed to spark any concerted pressure and even the introduction of Mark Noble and Luis Boa Morte failed to lift the disjointed Hammers. (6th October, 2007)

Hammers Mad: Within 20 seconds of the restart, man-of-the-match Hayden Mullins found Cole, who picked out Bowyer with the perfect pass. The midfielder, who had scored his first-ever Hammers goal in the previous home game against Wigan Athletic, got the better of his former Leeds United team-mate, Jonathan Woodgate, before rifling a low 18-yarder past the groping left arm of Mark Schwarzer to break the deadlock. Cole was in creative mood five minutes later, too, when he sent an unplayable cross into the heart of the Boro defence, only for the sliding Luke Young to divert the ball beyond the helpless Schwarzer to double the deficit. Having taken that commanding lead, the Eastenders almost paid for their complacency at the back, where Tuncay was twice foiled by Green's brilliant point-blank stops and, when Fabio Rochemback sent the Turkish star racing clear, his chip over the advancing Hammers' keeper bounced agonisingly onto the crossbar. A Boro goal would have set up a nervous ending but, on the hour mark, the red-booted Ashton steadied the nerves when he beat Andrew Taylor at the far post and slid Matthew Etherington's telling, deep, low left-wing cross into the net, to seal what proved to be an emphatic Hammers victory. (15th September, 2007)

KUMB: Little had been going right for sub Cole though he did have a part to play in one of our better chances of the half. Noble played the ball out left where Cole gathered. His cross was poor really – Boro’ had the choice of two defenders and the ‘keeper to deal with it. Schwarzer’s call was loudest but, instead of catching the ball which is something he seemed to have time and space to do with ease, he elected to do a rather girly flap which found Noble on the edge of the box. The youngster should have made a better effort of the shot which went a yard or so wide with Schwarzer stranded. That was effectively the last action of the half.... We needed a sharper, more incisive start to the second half – and, thankfully we got it. Within 30 seconds. Bowyer started the move with a nod-down to Mullins who fed Cole. Cole’s subsequent pass was as good as his first half efforts had been poor and he played a smashing little ball into Bowyer who had continued his run from deep to bury a first time volley home inside the post. It was a fine goal – good build-up and an excellent finish that reminded one of how Bowyer had played back in the days when he had been playing European football for teams like Leeds. It was also probably the first bit of direct and pacy football that we’d seen from the home side all match. It was a lesson well-learned. We only had to wait another five minutes for the lead to be doubled and Cole again was involved. The move started deep in home territory with Collins feeding Neill whose ball inside to Mullins looked a bit risky in all honesty. However, Mullins found Matty who played the ball wide right to Cole. There seemed little danger at first as Cole had no support out on the right but the Boro’ challenges were week bordering on the non-existent as Cole was able to advance to the edge of the box. His attempted pass to the unmarked Mullins found Luke Young in the “Corridor of Uncertainty” and the full-back could only divert the ball past the stranded ‘keeper'.... Much better was his contribution to the move that should have seen us go four up. Combining well on the break as Boro’ pushed forward in search of consolation, Freddie found Cole totally unmarked with just the keeper to beat only for him to screw the ball wide when he ought to have scored. It was a similar miss to that performed by Darren Bent for Spurs against Arsenal with the possible consolation for us that ours had been about £14m cheaper. It was a shame as Cole had had a poor first half but had got into the game in the second period through sheer bloody-mindedness and, on the whole, had probably deserved a goal for his efforts. (Gordon Thrower, 17th September, 2007)

The Guardian: Goals change games and can sometimes change minds. By half-time, after a routine mix of the bright and the banal, West Ham United supporters had clearly got it in for Carlton Cole but within half a minute of the second half his was the inspired touch that had the place rejoicing. For the fickle fan Cole is a natural fall guy. Lanky, loping footballers are obvious targets when things go awry. Chelsea were forever loaning him out - to Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa - and since joining West Ham he has still seemed to be living on borrowed time. His arrival against Middlesbrough was precipitated by the loss of Craig Bellamy, who departed midway through the first half with a sore groin, and for a while he did play as if he was wearing the wrong feet. Maybe West Ham are employing a half-time hypnotist. The first-time ball that Cole played through to Lee Bowyer, who completed a sweet movement which saw West Ham take the lead after 23 seconds of the restart, would not have disgraced Pele. Five minutes later Cole, easily riding a half-hearted challenge from Stewart Downing, spotted Hayden Mullins unmarked beyond the far post and tried to find him with a low cross which he mishit, only for Luke Young to divert the ball into his own net. Cole could now do no wrong, although the hypnosis appeared to have worn off in the closing minutes when he put the ball wide with only Mark Schwarzer to beat. (David Lacey, 17th September, 2007)

BBC News: According to the News of the World the Turkish club Besiktas have lodged a £3m bid for West Ham misfit Carlton Cole. (15th July, 2007)

 

 

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