West Ham Claim Boro Are Favourites for Cup

Both Alan Pardew and Teddy Sheringham admitted that Boro have the psychological advantage over West Ham going into the semi-final. Teddy said, "Middlesbrough have probably got a slight psychological advantage after this result, but I'm sure it will be a very different game at Villa Park."

Pardew spoke about Boro's success in Europe this year in his claim that West Ham go into the game as underdogs. After West Ham lost to a Boro second eleven he might have a point.

However Sheringham pointed out that yesterday's result could have been very different if the Hammers had put away their chances,

"Their keeper made an excellent save from Marlon in the first five minutes and if that had gone in, I think it would have been a different story. We then had some good chances to get back in it - I missed a header and Deano had one right at the end - and I suppose the finishing made the difference today. It hasn't been going great for the strikers lately but it's just one of those spells that pops up every now and then - hopefully it will go for us on Sunday."

The veteran player also pointed out that, "We've also got other players to come back for the semi-final - Matty, Yossi and hopefully Anton, so everyone is still optimistic and looking forward to the game."