Sunday, October 02, 2005

 

Hammers Get Lucky

West Ham scraped a 1-1 draw at Sunderland overnight and will be feeling very fortunate to get away with anything at all.

Despite dominating most of the match, Sunderland were unable to score more than one goal. West Ham managed to mug the Mackems in the second half thanks to a deflection that left Yossi Benayoun one-on-one with the keeper, and he finished cleanly to help the Irons bring their point home.

It was one of about three chances the London club managed: Teddy Sheringham controlled a pass magnificently only to spoil the moment by lifting the ball over the bar, while Marlon Harewood had an earlier shot saved. Late in the second half Shaun Newton put in a couple of brilliant crosses but none of the West Ham forwards were able to make anything of them - Bobby Zamora once neglecting to pressure the Sunderland keeper. The Hammers were guilty of wasting possession and giving the ball away far too easily, while the Black Cats were far more composed under pressure, and rarely looked threatened. They were unlucky with a shot that would have found its way into the net but for a deflection off an offside player, and Carroll was in good form to deny them on several occasions.

Quick player ratings:
Carroll 7
Konchesky 7
Gabbidon 6
Ferdinand 6
Repka 5
Etherington 6
Mullins 5
Reo-Coker 6
Benayoun 7
Sheringham 7
Harewood 6

Zamora 6
Newton 7
Dailly 6



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