25th November, 2007

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

JS John Simkin GL Gary Loughran RD Rendog BN Boleyn NX Nox DE Dicksie MA Iron Mark
BB Butterfly Boy CK Chip Korea WH West Ham Rob SA Sanchoz PO Polar CO Coxy LA Law

West Ham v Spurs: Video Highlights

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. Minutes before half time referee Mike Riley chose to wave away strong penalty appeals when Green felled Robbie Keane in the box. The visitors increased their tempo in the second period and were rewarded when Green was caught in no-mans land when he attempted to claim a free-kick, allowing Dawson to head into an empty net. In the dying minutes Lucas Neill was adjudged to have fouled substitute Defoe in the area, however a stunning dive from Green denied the former West Ham striker. (25th November, 2007)

BBC Sport: Spurs had dominated the early stages but found themselves behind after a mistake from centre-back Kaboul, whose poor clearance was charged down by Boa Morte. He charged towards the Spurs goal and slipped a clever pass to Solano and, after he drew Robinson and Dawson towards him, intelligently crossed for Cole to slot into an empty net. The home side grew in authority after the goal, while Spurs struggled to recover from the blow as their play lacked punch. Boa Morte was worked into a promising position only to power an angled shot straight at Robinson before the visitors were denied a penalty on the stroke of half time. Keane, who appeared offside, chipped the ball over Green and was caught by the keeper as he tried to round him to slot in. (25th November, 2007)

Hammers Mad: West Ham United were indebted to goalkeeper Robert Green for a late penalty save in their 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park. Jermain Defoe saw his stoppage-time penalty kick saved by Green to leave Spurs still looking for their first away win of the season. On their last visit to Upton Park back in early March, Spurs had left the heartbroken Hammers rock-bottom of the Premiership thanks to a dramatic injury-time winner, but this around Green's third successive penalty save of the season earned the East Enders the point that they so easily deserved. (25th November, 2007)

Daily Telegraph: Spurs settled the quicker and Aaron Lennon would have given them a flying start but for a marginal offside decision. Green parried a stinging shot by Jermaine Jenas, and Lennon pounced on the loose ball only to find a linesman's flag cutting short his celebrations. But the same official surprisingly kept his flag down just before the interval when Keane ran clear on to a lofted pass by Younes Kaboul and lifted the ball over the onrushing Green. The Tottenham captain went sprawling as Green's legs made contact with his own, but referee Mike Riley dismissed his furious penalty claims. It was a crucial call made more difficult by the suspicion that the bouncing ball was eluding the chasing Keane, but West Ham could count themselves fortunate to escape without a penalty award, let alone the loss of their keeper. Tottenham had already conceded their early initiative and a 20th-minute goal besides. 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... Defoe, who quit West Ham in 2004, was jeered louder than any of the other England players on duty yesterday. But it looked as if Defoe would have the last laugh when Lucas Neill's clumsy challenge and shirt pull on the Spurs striker this time warranted a penalty award from referee Riley. With regular penalty-taker Keane already having been substituted, up stepped Defoe to fire a low spot-kick to Green's left, but the Hammers keeper pushed the ball on to the post. Green had never saved a penalty before this season but yesterday was the third time he has stopped a spot-kick and none have been sweeter for the West Ham fans. (John Cross, 26th November, 2007)

The Times: Other than the penalty appeals this was a tale of two goalkeepers, with Paul Robinson withstanding the predictable booing to begin the process of restoring a reputation that has been blemished by his England errors. This was one of Robinson’s better days, with two smart saves at his near post from Scott Parker and Dean Ashton keeping the visiting team level as West Ham pushed for a late winner. Green eclipsed him in the final seconds with his third penalty save of the season after Lucas Neill had pushed Defoe, although it was his error that had enabled Tottenham to equalise. He rushed from his line to try to punch clear Jermaine Jenas’s 67th-minute free kick but got nowhere near it, with Michael Dawson heading into an empty net. Although it was a soft goal to concede, Ramos deserved to preserve his five-match unbeaten run after making a bold switch to 3-4-3 in the 54th minute, a move that confused Curbishley. “I don’t know exactly what they did, but that got them back into the game,” he said. With such tactical acumen, it is just as well Curbishley is not being touted as the saviour of English football. (Matt Hughes, 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)

.

.