Hammers Champions League Hopes Clattered By Ref Again!
For the fourth game in a row West Ham have been denied the success they deserved by dubious refereeing decisions, on this occasion step forward Mark Clattenburg in the starring role.
For the fourth game in a row West Ham have been denied the success they deserved by dubious refereeing decisions, on this occasion step forward Mark Clattenburg in the starring role.
West Ham : Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Noble (c), Kouyate, Emenike, Lanzini, Payet, Sakho
Substitutes: Randolph (GK), Song, Tomkins, Carroll, Valencia, Obiang, Moses
Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Zaha, Puncheon, Jedinak, Ledley, Sako; Bolasie.
Substitutes: McCarthy, Mariappa, Kelly, Mutch, Lee, Gayle, Campbell.
Arsene Wenger is lining up a huge £45 Million offer to take Dimitri Payet from West Ham to Arsenal, Wenger is hoping his 'french connection' will help swing the deal in his favour.
According to Spain based Radio Taronja and a whole stack of media outlets, West Ham United have agreed a deal to sign Valencia youngster Toni Martinez this summer, the 18-year-old will reportedly move to East London for a fee between £1.9 million and £2.3 million with Valencia insisting on a comprehensive first option buy back clause and a sell on fee believed to be as much as 25% should they decide not to exercise the buy back.
Mr West Ham, Mark Noble the ex England U-21 skipper shamefully ignored by Roy Hodgson, will be filed with pride as he steps out in front of a full Boleyn Ground for his well earned testimonial. Once upon a time the ten year testimonial was a vital financial preparation ahead of a player's retirement, but times have changed and Mark, like others who now enjoy a very comfortable wage has elected to donate all the income received to three charities, the DT38 Foundation, Help for Heroes and Richard House Children's Hospice.
Apart from the Mark Noble for England debate, turbo charged by BT Sport and other TV shows, there has been little of substance to report. The increase in capacity at the Olympic Stadium had been on the horizon almost as soon as Slaven Billic took over, his first steps on the pitch for the Europa League match against Lusitans seem a long long time ago, West Ham's subsequent success has ensured a vast over subscription for season tickets.
During this coming week end westhamfans.org will be having a system upgrade in order to speed the site up and remove certain annoying anomalies, these upgrades are long overdue but a 'quiet' period was necessary. As Roy Hodgson has deemed fit to ignore the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Mark Noble and Mikael Antonio for the England squad, we thought it would be a good time to do the upgrade. Perhaps the opportunity to recharge the batteries will actually benefit West Ham United's home grown players enabling them to take on the remaining fixtures with renewed energy and vigour.
Loan signing Manuel Lanzini has completed his permanent transfer to West Ham United from Al Jazira, Lanzini has signed a four year deal with the option of a two year extension, the fee involved is just under £10 Million including fees and add ons. The 'little jewel', as he is known by Lionel Messi and his Argentina team mates, has pledged his future to a team that has also just renegotiated and extended Check Kayoute's contract along with that of the mercurial Dimitri Payet.
To have been denied victory by incorrect refereeing decisions once in a week is bad enough, but twice in a week is almost too much for fair minded fans and observers alike, it seems like the football authorities are unwilling to add West Ham United to Leicester city in it's pantheon of Barclays Premiership achievers!
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Kenedy; Remy
Subs: Begovic, Baba, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Traore, Pato
West Ham: Adrian, Antonio, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Kouyate, Noble, Lanzini, Payet, Valencia, Sakho
Subs: Randolph, Oxford, O'Brien, Obiang, Song, Emenike, Carroll
Streams to follow at 14:55 -Ed