Zola desperate for McCarthy to boost relegation battle
January 31, 2010
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola hopes South African forward Benni McCarthy will provide a major boost to his struggling side’s bid to avoid relegation.
Zola’s team drew a blank in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Blackburn at Upton Park and remain too close to the Premier League’s bottom three for comfort.
With new co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold willing to back Zola in the transfer market, the Italian has lined up a 2.5 million pounds move for McCarthy, who is out of favour at Blackburn.
Zola expects the deal to be done before Monday’s transfer deadline and is confident the former Porto forward will fire the 15th placed team away from the drop zone.
“It looks like it is done and next week he should be coming to train with us,” Zola said.
“I do not know the terms yet, but they have told me the deal is done. He should be available for the next game.
“Benni will be a threat in the last third. He is a player who can score goals and he will be a very good help for us.”
Sullivan and Gold are both life-long Hammers fans and their buy-out of a controlling interest from Icelandic bank CB Holding settled what has been a turbulent period.
Zola added: “They have given us stability and maybe some more players to strengthen the team, and that is a good thing.”
Blackburn had the better chances of a drab game, with Morten Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick hitting the crossbar before substitute Jason Roberts failed to beat Robert Green when clean through with 15 minutes left.
Green also pulled off a brilliant save to deny Martin Olsson, while Mark Noble appeared to handle Gael Givet’s shot before it was cleared off the line by Carlton Cole.
Zola added: “I was expecting us to create a bit more quality, but we were not able to do that.
“The tension caught us a little bit, everybody was nervous and we could not express the quality we needed to break them down.
“But I take it as a good day, because this point means we step up the table.”
Rovers boss Sam Allardyce added: “We are disappointed we have not turned a very, very good second-half performance into a victory.
“We feel a little hard done by, but in the main we should have been a bit more clinical in front of goal and would have won.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: blackburn, controlling interest, crossbar, david gold, david sullivan, drab game, drop zone, free kick, gianfranco zola, jason roberts, london, Martin Olsson, Morten Gamst, morten gamst pedersen, PORTO, premier league, robert green, turbulent period, upton park, west hamRelated posts
Blackburn frustrate West Ham
January 30, 2010
Blackburn earned a gritty 0-0 draw against struggling West Ham on Saturday to frustrate the east London club’s hopes of kick-starting the new era at Upton Park.
Gianfranco Zola’s side were playing at home for the first time since co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold finally completed their takeover of the Hammers, but there was precious little for the watching duo to get excited about.
Blackburn, who have scored just eight times in 12 away league matches, would have won with better finishing and West Ham – in 15th place – remain precariously close to the relegation zone.
Sullivan and Gold are well aware of West Ham’s troubles and have been attempting to sign several new players before Monday’s transfer deadline.
A deal for Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy is still in the pipeline but Zola may need more than that to save his side from the drop.
Rovers started well and appealed for a penalty when Nikola Kalinic went down under pressure from Jonathan Spector, but referee Peter Walton waved away their protests.
After 35 minutes, an inswinging corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen forced West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green to tip over the crossbar at full-stretch.
Rovers came agonisingly close to taking the lead just before half-time when Pedersen’s free-kick flashed past Green and cannoned back off the bar.
Zola sent on England forward Carlton Cole, in action for the first time since November following a knee injury, with 30 minutes to play but even he couldn’t spark West Ham into life.
Green was called into action again to push Pedersen’s goal-bound drive away, then Cole cleared Gael Givet’s shot off the line after it appeared to hit Mark Noble on the arm.
Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson had barely been troubled all game but he was finally forced to save in the final minutes as he pushed Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick over to preserve the draw.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, benni mccarthy, Carlton, Cole, crossbar, david gold, david sullivan, diamanti, east london, England, free kick, gael givet, gianfranco zola, jonathan spector, knee injury, london, london club, Mark Noble, Morten Gamst, morten gamst pedersen, Nikola Kalinic, paul robinson, Peter Walton, playing at home, relegation zone, robert green, transfer deadline, upton park, west ham, ZolaRelated posts
Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham
December 6, 2009
Paul Scholes sent Manchester United on their way to a comfortable 4-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park as Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions kept up the pressure on English Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Scholes fired the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time before Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney completed the victory.
United’s win meant Chelsea started Saturday’s late kick-off match against Manchester City knowing defeat would leave them just two points clear of the defending champions.
Scholes, 35, had spoken this week of his growing frustration at his failure to influence games in the manner he once did and hinted that he may consider retirement at the end of this season.
His goal, though, proved a timely reminder that the former England midfielder still possesses the quality to conjure something out of nothing and remains an invaluable member of manager Ferguson’s squad.
Prior to Scholes’s strike at the end of the first period, United had failed to create clear-cut chances against Gianfranco Zola’s struggling side despite being in almost total control of the game.
Before kick-off it is likely that Ferguson may have had some concerns about fielding a patched-up back four that was weakened by the late withdrawal of Nemanja Vidic with a bug.
With Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans also injured, Ferguson was forced to partner Gary Neville and Wes Brown in the centre of defence with Darren Fletcher slotting in as a makeshift right-back.
However, with Carlton Cole missing until well into the new year with a knee injury, Zola’s team are desperately lacking up front and they simply didn’t have the strength to unsettle the visitors.
Experienced Mexican striker Guillermo Franco battled hard but he was lacking in support and the only real opening that fell the home side’s way during the first period came from a careless back pass from the normally reliable Ryan Giggs.
Giggs presented Zavon Hines with time and space in the United box but the veteran midfielder recovered to deny Jack Collison when Hines delivered a low cross in front of Tomasz Kuszczak’s goal.
That chance came after just ten minutes and the Hammers would have to wait until well into the second period until they created a second opportunity.
In between, the visitors took total control with Giggs showcasing the more positive side of his game with a series of darting runs down the left that continually stretched the home defence.
A Giggs corner presented Valencia with the chance to flick a header onto the roof of the net.
And the same two players combined again in the build-up to Scholes’s goal when Valencia recovered the ball following a Giggs cross to keep alive a move that exposed West Ham’s defensive weaknesses.
Three times West Ham failed to clear the ball and when Danny Gabbidon’s weak defensive header fell to Scholes, the midfielder took the ball down expertly on his chest and lashed in a fierce left-foot shot.
The half-time introduction of Alessandro Diamanti added some urgency to West Ham’s play but there was never any chance of them getting back into the game once Gibson struck United’s second.
The young Irish midfielder is fast developing a reputation for his powerful shooting and he showed why in the 61st minute when he capped a Giggs-inspired break with a powerful 20-yard drive that gave Robert Green no chance.
West Ham simply wilted at that point and nine minutes later Valencia made it three when he turned home Anderson’s low cross from inside the six-yard box.
The Ecuador international then turned provider sixty seconds later when he delivered a carbon-copy ball, this time for Rooney to finish with ease.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, alex ferguson, Anderson, Antonio Valencia, Carlton Cole, Danny Gabbidon, darren fletcher, darron gibson, Ecuador, England, English Premier League, first period, gary neville, gianfranco zola, Guillermo Franco, invaluable member, jack collison, league leaders, london, Manchester, manchester city, paul scholes, Rio, rio ferdinand, robert green, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, something out of nothing, timely reminder, upton park, Valencia, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham, ZolaRelated posts
Scholes strike sets up United´s win over West Ham
December 5, 2009
Paul Scholes sent Manchester United on their way to a comfortable 4-0 victory over West Ham at Upton Park as Sir Alex Ferguson’s champions kept up the pressure on English Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Scholes fired the visitors ahead on the stroke of half-time before Darron Gibson, Antonio Valencia and Wayne Rooney completed the victory.
United’s win meant Chelsea started Saturday’s late kick-off match against Manchester City knowing defeat would leave them just two points clear of the defending champions.
Scholes, 35, had spoken this week of his growing frustration at his failure to influence games in the manner he once did and hinted that he may consider retirement at the end of this season.
His goal, though, proved a timely reminder that the former England midfielder still possesses the quality to conjure something out of nothing and remains an invaluable member of manager Ferguson’s squad.
Prior to Scholes’s strike at the end of the first period, United had failed to create clear-cut chances against Gianfranco Zola’s struggling side despite being in almost total control of the game.
Before kick-off it is likely that Ferguson may have had some concerns about fielding a patched-up back four that was weakened by the late withdrawal of Nemanja Vidic with a bug.
With Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans also injured, Ferguson was forced to partner Gary Neville and Wes Brown in the centre of defence with Darren Fletcher slotting in as a makeshift right-back.
However, with Carlton Cole missing until well into the new year with a knee injury, Zola’s team are desperately lacking up front and they simply didn’t have the strength to unsettle the visitors.
Experienced Mexican striker Guillermo Franco battled hard but he was lacking in support and the only real opening that fell the home side’s way during the first period came from a careless back pass from the normally reliable Ryan Giggs.
Giggs presented Zavon Hines with time and space in the United box but the veteran midfielder recovered to deny Jack Collison when Hines delivered a low cross in front of Tomasz Kuszczak’s goal.
That chance came after just ten minutes and the Hammers would have to wait until well into the second period until they created a second opportunity.
In between, the visitors took total control with Giggs showcasing the more positive side of his game with a series of darting runs down the left that continually stretched the home defence.
A Giggs corner presented Valencia with the chance to flick a header onto the roof of the net.
And the same two players combined again in the build-up to Scholes’s goal when Valencia recovered the ball following a Giggs cross to keep alive a move that exposed West Ham’s defensive weaknesses.
Three times West Ham failed to clear the ball and when Danny Gabbidon’s weak defensive header fell to Scholes, the midfielder took the ball down expertly on his chest and lashed in a fierce left-foot shot.
The half-time introduction of Alessandro Diamanti added some urgency to West Ham’s play but there was never any chance of them getting back into the game once Gibson struck United’s second.
The young Irish midfielder is fast developing a reputation for his powerful shooting and he showed why in the 61st minute when he capped a Giggs-inspired break with a powerful 20-yard drive that gave Robert Green no chance.
West Ham simply wilted at that point and nine minutes later Valencia made it three when he turned home Anderson’s low cross from inside the six-yard box.
The Ecuador international then turned provider sixty seconds later when he delivered a carbon-copy ball, this time for Rooney to finish with ease.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: Alessandro Diamanti, alex ferguson, Anderson, CHELSEA, Danny Gabbidon, darren fletcher, darron gibson, Ecuador, England, English Premier League, first period, gary neville, gianfranco zola, Guillermo Franco, invaluable member, league leaders, london, manchester city, paul scholes, Rio, rio ferdinand, robert green, ryan giggs, sir alex ferguson, something out of nothing, timely reminder, upton park, Valencia, vidic, wayne rooney, wes brown, west ham, ZolaRelated posts
Zola looks for hammer blow against struggling Everton
November 8, 2009
Gianfranco Zola may be a relative novice in the managerial trade, but already the Italian has experienced more dizzying highs and stultifying lows than many of the most grizzled veterans.
In the space of just over a year, he has led West Ham to a top-half finish in the English Premier League, been forced to contend with myriad off-field financial problems and, most recently, negotiated a slump in form which put his own job prospects on the line.
That Zola has met all these scenarios with equanimity speaks volumes for his character and serves as confirmation of why he is still considered one of the brightest managerial prospects in the top flight.
Even during the most recent crisis – a nine-match winless streak which dumped West Ham in the relegation zone – Zola remained unflappable, insisting his team’s fortunes would take a turn for the better, sooner rather than later.
His faith was justified by a last-gasp victory over Aston Villa last Wednesday and the former Chelsea striker can now confront Sunday’s meeting with Everton, who are locked in their own dangerous downward spiral, with genuine enthusiasm.
“Football is about confidence,” he reflected.
“We know we have been playing well but not picking up the points we needed. That victory (against Villa) will give us a lot. The rest is all there.
“We know we have the qualities, we know that we can compete at high levels. The mood has been very positive and everybody has been lifted.”
Zola’s squad might be on the thin side but at least he can call upon genuine quality along the spine of his side in Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole, all England internationals.
There were signs before the Villa victory that West Ham were a team on the rise.
Arsenal were held to a draw courtesy of a stirring fight-back in the dying minutes and the Hammers raced into a two-goal lead at Sunderland before flaky defending cost them two points in the second half.
A three-match unbeaten run might not be cause for jubilation in east London but Zola believes it could be the start of a more sustained recovery.
“The team needs some personalities and they need those personalities to step in at the right moment, which is what they have been doing recently,” Zola added.
David Moyes’ Everton team are in the midst of an appalling run, having not tasted victory in seven games in all competitions thanks to a combination of a crippling injury list, nose-diving confidence and poor form from key players.
The gloom enveloping Goodison Park is a far cry from the halcyon days of spring, when Everton achieved a second successive fifth-place finish in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup final.
Moyes’ meagre squad appears to be struggling to cope with the gruelling schedule provided by the Europa League where they have suffered back-to-back defeats against Benfica.
“As a manager it is down to me to put things right, to find a winning formula from the ranks that I have here,” Moyes said.
“In the past I have tended to do that, I feel it is probably one of my strengths. I have tried not to have any regrets about it (playing in Europe).
“But the more and more games you play in it, the more and more times you realise that some other managers have talked a lot of sense about the number of games in the Europa League.
“With the squad we have got it is very difficult to win Premier League games when you have got so many midweek games.”
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: aston villa, Carlton Cole, CHELSEA, David Moyes, downward spiral, east london, england internationals, English Premier League, Europe, genuine enthusiasm, genuine quality, Goodison Park, grizzled veterans, hammers, jubilation, last gasp, london, matthew upson, premier league, relative novice, relegation zone, robert green, Sunderland, thin side, top flight, west ham, winless streak, ZolaRelated posts
Rooney out of England´s final qualifier
October 12, 2009
England striker Wayne Rooney will miss Wednesday’s final 2010 World Cup qualifier against Belarus after the Manchester United forward picked up a calf strain in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat away to Ukraine.
The news is a surprise as Rooney got through the entire game, turning in a decent performance for an England side that was reduced to 10 men after 15 minutes following the dismissal of Robert Green.
Rooney, however, must now undergo treatment in the hope of being fit for United’s Premier League encounter with Bolton.
He will also be making the reverse journey to Ben Foster, who was named as Green’s replacement given the West Ham keeper is now suspended for the Belarus encounter, one of only three remaining before manager Fabio Capello has to name his squad for next summer’s World Cup.
Unless injury hits one of his other four strikers, Capello is unlikely to call in a replacement.
The Italian has the option of pushing Steven Gerrard into a more advanced position, which he plays in so successfully for Liverpool.
Alternatively, he could pair Carlton Cole with Emile Heskey, or possibly Aston Villa’s Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was an unused substitute on Saturday.
England, with wins in their first eight matches, had already ensured automatic qualification to the world Cup before the defeat to Ukraine as Group 6 leaders.
LONDON (AFP)
Tags: calf strain, decent performance, Emile Heskey, encounter, england side, gabriel agbonlahor, Liverpool, manchester united, premier league, robert green, Steven Gerrard, striker, strikers, wayne rooney, west ham, world cup qualifierRelated posts
England call for Foster
October 11, 2009
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster has been called into the England squad for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Belarus as a replacement for the suspended Robert Green.
Foster originally missed out on selection after being sent for scans on bruised ribs sustained in Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League encounter with Sunderland last weekend.
However, at the time it was viewed by many as little more than a convenient excuse for England boss Fabio Capello to sideline the 26-year-old, who had been blamed for Kenwyne Jones’ second-half header for the Black Cats, just two weeks after he was held responsible for two Manchester City goals in the pulsating 4-3 derby win at Old Trafford.
But, with Green ruled out of Wednesday’s game following his dismissal in Saturday’s defeat to Ukraine, Capello has opted to show faith in Foster, who has been cleared to join up with the England camp after scans revealed nothing untoward.
It is ironic that Foster should benefit from someone else’s absence, given the number of times he has had to pull out of international squads himself as a result of various inuries.
For Green, serving a one-match ban will be a painful experience after he started the last seven internationals under Capello.
Eager to make an impression following the recall of David James, the West Ham goalkeeper lasted just 15 minutes at the Dnipro Arena before he brought down Artem Milevskiy after a mistake from Rio Ferdinand.
Initially, it seemed Ferdinand would take the punishment when he was shown the red card by referee Damir Skomina, which frustrated Capello intensely.
However, after consultation with fourth official Darko Ceferin, the decision was eventually reversed with Green the man correctly dismissed.
Abhimanyu Rajput
Tags: barclays premier league, belarus, ben foster, black cats, bruised ribs, city goals, damir, David James, England, england camp, england squad, fabio capello, Ferdinand, international squads, internationals, Jones, kenwyne jones, Manchester, manchester city, manchester united goalkeeper, old trafford, painful experience, premier league, robert green, Sunderland, ukraine, west ham, world cup qualifierRelated posts
Ferdinand ´not to blame´ for England defeat: Capello
October 11, 2009
Fabio Capello insists England defender Rio Ferdinand should not be held responsible for his side’s 1-0 qualifying defeat against Ukraine.
Capello saw England’s unblemished record in Group Six come to an end on Saturday as Serhiy Nazarenko’s deflected first half goal in the Dnipro Stadium sunk his 10 men.
The turning point of a fiery encounter, which was marred by Ukraine fans repeatedly throwing flares onto the pitch, came when Ferdinand made a woeful misjudgement that led to England goalkeeper Robert Green being dismissed.
Ferdinand allowed a long ball to bounce past him to Artem Milevskiy, who was brought down in the penalty area by Green as he tried to save.
After initially appearing to send off Ferdinand, Slovenian referee Damir Skomina showed Green a red card, making him the first England goalkeeper to be sent off.
Andriy Shevchenko missed the penalty, but England never really recovered and Ukraine pushed home their one-man advantage through Nazarenko’s strike.
Ferdinand’s blunder wasn’t the first by the Manchester United centre-back in an England shirt recently. He was also at fault for a goal in England’s friendly draw in Holland in August.
But Capello preferred to point the finger of blame at the referee rather than Ferdinand, who has also been below-par for United during an injury-hit start to the season.
“He made one mistake, that is all, and that was for the penalty,” Capello said.
“Normally I don’t speak about referees. This time I am changing my mind. It was a big mistake.
“Rio was running, the goalkeeper is diving. I need someone to explain to me how he can get that wrong.
“I spoke with the fourth official when the referee showed Rio the red card. He said he would tell the referee it was not Rio.
“The referee thought Rio had fouled the player but it so obviously was not him.”
Capello confronted Skomina after the final whistle heralded his first defeat in a competitive game as England coach.
But the Italian’s frustration didn’t extend to his team despite their spluttering display.
In the first half they could have been several goals behind as the defence creaked after Green’s dismissal.
Wayne Rooney led a more spirited second half effort but England rarely went close to an equaliser as their eight-match winning run in qualifying came to an end.
At least Capello could take heart from the fact that his team’s place at next year’s World Cup in South Africa had already been secured in convincing fashion.
“I am proud of my team. In the second half we played very well and created a lot of chances, right until the very last minute,” he said.
With Green suspended for Wednesday’s final qualifier against Belarus at Wembley, Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, who came on for the West Ham stopper when he was sent off, is likely to regain his position between the posts.
Capello may also have to pick a replacement for Steven Gerrard after the Liverpool midfielder was substituted at half-time with a groin injury.
Ukraine coach Alexiy Mikhailychenko saluted his team’s performance as they defeated England for the first time.
The victory moved them above Croatia into second place and a victory in Andorra on Wednesday should guarantee a play-off place.
“I am really pleased to get this result,” Mikhailychenko said. “We still have a game to win but we have given ourselves the best possible chance.”
DNIPROPETROVSK, Ukraine (AFP)
Tags: Andorra, andriy shevchenko, belarus, blunder, changing my mind, croatia, David James, dnipro, Dnipro Stadium, England, england coach, england goalkeeper, england shirt, fabio capello, Ferdinand, Holland, Liverpool, man advantage, Manchester, manchester united, nazarenko, Portsmouth, referee, referees, Rio, rio ferdinand, robert green, South Africa, spl, Steven Gerrard, throwing flares, ukraine, unblemished record, wayne rooney, Wembley, west ham, whistleRelated posts
James faces up to World Cup battle
October 8, 2009
As David James watched his England team-mates celebrate qualifying for the World Cup finals on his television, an unpleasant thought crossed the Portsmouth goalkeeper’s mind.
What if he was still be watching from the sidelines by the time England kick off their campaign to win the World Cup in South Africa next year?
In the five games James had missed as a result of a series of injuries, West Ham’s Robert Green had performed well enough and, more importantly for England coach Fabio Capello, the team had kept on winning.
James only had to look at the treatment handed out to Michael Owen – banished from the squad entirely – and David Beckham – reduced to a bit-part substitutes role – to know that experience and reputation are no guarantee of selection under the Italian.
Now James is fit Capello faces a tough choice between him and Green and the former Liverpool star acknowledges that he may not regain his place for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.
“I don’t even know if I’m going to start on Saturday. Mr Capello, from here until the World Cup, will be making the right decisions,” James said.
“If I’m not the one who starts the game and it’s for the benefit of England, that’s fine.
“The process, my whole existence here, is for England to be successful. That doesn’t necessarily include playing because, at the end of the day, it’s the squad that will be victorious, not just the eleven players on the field.”
The 39-year-old, once dubbed “Calamity James” for a series of mistakes made during his time at Liverpool, is never mentioned as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, yet he has rarely let his country down.
Manchester United’s Ben Foster, who will miss the Ukraine game through injury, was regarded as James’s main rival going into this season, but the youngster has produced enough nervous displays for his club to suggest he may not be ready for the pressure of the World Cup just yet.
James believes the scrutiny of being England’s number one can prove too much for younger goalkeepers and he said: “It’s a difficult job playing for England, period, whether you’re a goalkeeper or a centre-forward.
“You have to go through these experiences. If you have criticism it’s a cliche to say you’ll come out right in the end. You don’t always.
“Most people won’t. But it’s a part of the process. I’m sure that, come the World Cup finals, we’ve got enough months ahead of us to ensure that the three goalkeepers in the squad will be well tuned and prepared.”
However, James expects Foster to emerge intact from his current malaise.
“I’m sure he’s in the right place to get the right advice at Manchester United,” James added. “The longevity of any career is going to have ups and downs.
“Depending on who you play when you’re having a down will depend upon how much scrutiny you’ll be under. You don’t get any higher scrutiny when you’re playing for Manchester United and England.
“There are things you can improve on and work on, rather than just analysing that you lost the game. Sometimes you lose good games. You play well but come up against a better side and they beat you. You can’t win every game.
“For every game that I’ve played, I’ve been under scrutiny anyway. The way the manager is, there’s no guarantee – even though I’d started every match – that that would continue, as far as I was concerned.”
WATFORD, England (AFP)
Tags: ben foster, best goalkeepers, bit part, calamity james, coach fabio capello, David Beckham, David James, england coach, fabio capello, Goalkeeper, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, michael owen, Mr Capello, Portsmouth, qualifying for the world cup, robert green, South Africa, time england, west ham, world cup finals, world cup qualifier, youngsterRelated posts
Manchester City´s apologetic Tevez sinks West Ham
September 29, 2009
Carlos Tevez refused to celebrate as his double-strike inspired Manchester City’s 3-1 win over his former club West Ham on Monday.
While Tevez won’t win any popularity contests at Manchester United after his acrimonious switch to City, he is fondly regarded at West Ham after almost single-handedly keeping them in the Premier League during a loan spell three years ago.
The Argentina striker acknowledged that the Hammers still have a place in his heart as well as he waved an apology to West Ham’s travelling supporters after opening the scoring at Eastlands.
Carlton Cole equalised for Gianfranco Zola’s team but Martin Petrov restored City’s lead before half-time and Tevez settled an entertaining encounter with his second goal after half-time.
Again he hardly acknowledged the goal that left West Ham stuck in the bottom three and lifted Mark Hughes’s side, who have won five of their six league matches, into fifth place.
Hughes handed Petrov his first start of the season after Stephen Ireland was ruled out with an illness.
Just as significant from West Ham’s point of view was Matthew Upson’s absence with a calf injury.
With their England centre-back out of action, West Ham were unable to stem City’s early onslaught and the hosts took the lead after five minutes.
Petrov was played in down the left wing and his low cross found Tevez in acres of space four yards from goal. Tevez easily converted the chance to claim his first league goal for City but there was no celebration in front of the West Ham fans at that end of the stadium.
Unlike his team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor, who had raced the length of the pitch to taunt Arsenal’s fans when he scored against his old club earlier this month, Tevez held out his arms in apology to the Hammers supporters and they responded by clapping their former idol.
City were rampant and Wayne Bridge forced a smart stop from Robert Green before Tevez turned onto a wayward effort from Gareth Barry and sent his shot narrowly wide.
Tevez threatened again as he fizzed his strike just past a post. He then picked out Petrov with a superb pass but Green was equal to the winger’s shot.
Remarkably, just as a second City goal seemed inevitable, West Ham punished slack defending from the hosts to snatch an equaliser in the 24th minute.
Alessandro Diamanti’s free-kick was only cleared to Radoslav Kovac and his shot was deftly flicked in by England striker Cole with his back to goal.
Parity for Zola’s team was short-lived however as Petrov marked his return to action with a clever strike eight minutes later.
Luis Jimenez fouled Nigel de Jong and Petrov stepped up to drive a low free-kick around the West Ham wall and past Green.
The Hammers had an equaliser ruled out when Cole barged Joleon Lescott before setting up Scott Parker for a tap-in, but Green had to be alert to keep out Craig Bellamy and Petrov before half-time.
But Tevev put the result beyond doubt in the 61st minute. Bellamy, another former Hammer, curled over a free-kick and Kovac played Tevez onside, allowing the Argentina star to head past Green.
There was still time for Barry to bring a fine save from Green before Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz came on for his City debut after a lengthy spell on the treatment table following his move from Blackburn.
MANCHESTER (AFP)
Tags: calf injury, Eastlands, emmanuel adebayor, gianfranco zola, hammers, left wing, manchester city, manchester united, Mark Hughes, martin petrov, matthew upson, onslaught, robert green, team mate, west ham fansRelated posts
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- WC Qualifying Concacaf
- WC Qualifying Europe
- WC Qualifying South-Africa
- WC Qualifying South-America
- World Cup
