DREAMS MEANS HINES; WEST HAM 2 ASTON VILLA 1 BARCLAYS PREM FROM UPTON PARK.Byline: DARREN LEWIS
NEVER let it be said the Hammers are not up for a fight. It could have been a crippling blow when left-back Herita Ilunga and leading scorer Carlton Cole Carlton Michael Cole (born November 12,1983,[1] in Croydon, London, England) is a football player who currently plays for West Ham United. Background Cole was brought up in West London and attended Chiswick Community School. limped off in the first half. And after taking a shock lead, the Hammers had to rely on a penalty save from Robert Green This article is about the English footballer. For other people with the name "Robert Green", see Robert Green (disambiguation). Robert Paul Green (born January 18, 1980 in Chertsey, Surrey) is an English professional footballer who currently plays for West Ham after a spotkick was wrongly awarded against them. Even after that the culprit from 12 yards, Ashley Young Ashley Simon Young (born 9 July, 1985 in Stevenage, England) is an English professional footballer of Jamaican origin who currently plays as both a midfielder and a striker for Aston Villa. , fluked an outrageous equaliser. His attempted cross somehow found the top corner to take the wind out of West Ham's sails. Yet still Gianfranco Zola's side refused to give up. In fact it was Cole's replacement, Zavon Hines, who managed to smash the goal - in the last minute of injury time - that could well prove to be the turning point for the club's season. Because if West Ham Coordinates: West Ham is a district in the London Borough of Newham, in east London, England, located 6.1 miles (9.8 km) east of Charing Cross. From 1889 to 1965 it formed part of the County Borough of West Ham. play like this, they will not go down. No chance. Even without leading scorer Cole - now doubtful for England's game against Brazil on Saturday week - 10-man Villa had no answer to West Ham's attacks. Zola said: "It was unbelievable. The way we started was perfect. We were playing the right way and we were confident. Then we lost Herita and Carlton and the atmosphere went flat. "But the second half was a different story, we stuck together and got the reward. "This could well be the turning point. We gave a demonstration of our desire, our belief, and that's what we wanted because everything else was there. The difference was that we believed. "As for Zavon, I would have been delighted with a finish like that. "It was an incredible goal, he kept his composure. The boy deserves the spotlight." This was a compelling contest from start to finish. West Ham made a storming start but were then hit by that injury to Ilunga, who tweaked a hamstring. Jonathan Spector Jonathan Spector (born March 1, 1986[1] in Arlington Heights, Illinois), is an American soccer (football) defender. He currently plays for West Ham United in the English Premier League. Background Spector played high school soccer at St. replaced him. Worse was to follow as Cole pulled up on the half-hour as he chased a pass from Julian Faubert. He was replaced by eventual hero Hines. Still, however, West Ham heads would not go down. And they won a penalty on the stroke of half-time. When Habib Beye Habib Beye (born October 19, 1977 in Suresnes (France), is a Senegalese footballer, who currently plays for English Premiership club Newcastle United. He made substitute appearances in Senegal's matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, against Denmark, Uruguay and Sweden, and is a tackled Hines in the box, referee Steve Bennett The name Steve Bennett refers to more than one person:
The second period began in explosive fashion as Bennett inexplicably handed a Villa penalty on 48 minutes. The Kent official claimed, ludicrously, that rookie centreback Manuel Da Costa For the football player of the same name, see . Manuel da Costa (1541–25 February 1604[1]) was a Jesuit from Lisbon. After teaching humanities and theology at several schools, he was chosen rector of Braga, then missionary to the Azores; he was distinguished by had kicked Hammers old-boy James Collins James Collins may refer to:
But justice was done when Green dived low to his left to palm away Young's awful spot kick in front of England boss Fabio Capello Fabio Capello (born June 18, 1946 in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia) is an Italian football manager and former professional player who most recently coached Real Madrid. in the stands. Young atoned for that miss just minutes later with his bizarre strike. Zola added: "I saw only one penalty - the second one I didn't understand. I watched the video and I still can't understand it. "It was a great challenge. Da Costa jumped high and unfortunately found James Collins on his way down but come on! It was a bit much." Even then, West Ham refused to give up. Beye was sent off five minutes from time for his foul - a second yellow - on Spector who had been rampaging forward. And in the last minute of injury-time Hines struck, collecting Scott Parker's pass, jinking past three defenders and beating Friedel. Upton Park went ballistic. Zola punched the air but Villa boss Martin O'Neill turned away in disgust. He said: "We did enough to get something out of the game. I'm disappointed." WEST HAM: Green 9, Behrami 7, Upson 7, Faubert 8, Ilunga 5 (Spector 8, 7), Da Costa 7, Parker 7, Noble 8, Collison 7, Franco 8 (Jimenez 88), Cole 6 (Hines 32, 8). ASTON VILLA: Friedel 6, Beye 6, Dunne 7, Collins 6, Warnock 7, Agbonlahor 6, Petrov 6, Sidwell 7, A. Young 8, Heskey 5 (Reo-Coker 46, 6), Carew 6 (L. Young 86). REF: Steve Bennett ATT ATT ammonia tolerance test. : 30,024 Mirror Football For the best of last night's action from West Ham v Villa, visit mirrorfootball.co.uk/pictures CAPTION(S): IT'S COLE OVER West Ham's Carlton Cole hobbles off in the first half UPTON SPARK Midfielder Mark Noble shoots West Ham into the lead from the penalty spot WINNER Zavon Hines celebrates with Julien Faubert LAST-GASP Zavon Hines strikes for West Ham as the clock runs down |
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