West Ham 2 Sunderland 0

Stephen Wright was sent off in the 22nd minute for two yellow cards. Anthony Le Tallec was replaced by Nyron Nosworthy as Sunderland tried to readjust to ten men. Sunderland continued to battle hard and finished the half with one red card and two other payers booked. West Ham failed to capatilise on having the extra man.

In the second half West Ham had lots of possession but created few chances. Ashton came closest with a header that was tipped over the bar by Kelvin Davies.

Everything changed however with the introduction of Harewood who added some aggression to West Ham's play and who brought the crowd to life. After Harewood had a perfectly good goal disallowed West Ham continued to push forward and in the 80th minute Harewood shot and Ashton scored from Davis' parry. In the 86th minute Reo-Coker put Konchesky through to make it 2-0.

Six wins in a row now! Come on you Irons!!

Ashton in for Harewood

Harewood is rested today as Ashton is set to make his full debut.

West Ham v Sunderland

Lionel Scaloni (El Toro) looks like making his debut at right-back. Christian Dailly is also available after serving his suspension.

Yossi Benayoun picked up an injury against Arsenal and may be a doubt for the game. Roy Carroll is still out with back problems so Hislop remains in goal.

Sunderland captain Gary Breen could be out with a groin problem. Defenders George McCartney and Stephen Wright are available after long-term injuries and could start. Both players were taken off 15 minutes before the end of this week's reserve match in order to keep them fresh and Mick McCarthy has said that after recent perfomances none of his regular players has a right to automatic selection.

Listen Live

Noble to go on Loan to Hull

Mark Noble is to join Hull City on loan for the rest of the season when the loan window re-opens on 8 February.

Roeder Appointed to Save Newcastle from Premiership Football!

After the not very shocking sacking of Graham Souness, Glenn Roeder was appointed caretaker manager of Newcastle United. After Roeder's previous managerial successes with Watford and West Ham many are saying that he is just the man to take Newcastle into the Championship. On his appointment today Roeder hit back at some of his detractors,

"With the talent available to me at West Ham some people doubted that I could take them into the then first division but I think I proved them wrong. In fact if you look at my record you will see that I nearly achieved relegation with both Watford and West Ham, unfortunately I was sacked from both jobs before I could realise my dreams. At Newcastle I have the full backing of the chairman and I think I can guarantee Newcastle fans that this time next year they will be watching football in the English Championship."

Arsenal 2 - West Ham 3

Arsenal dominated for the first 20 minutes. Reo-Coker however scores on the break for West Ham on 25 minutes. Zamora then puts West Ham 2-0 up. West Ham then looked comfortable until just before the break when Konchesky fluffs an easy clearance and Henry scores a deflection off a Pires shot.

Campbell is taken off at half-time and storms out of Highbury!

Arsenal dominate most of the second half. Anton superb in defence. Etherington scores on 80 mins from a Newton cross. In the last ten minutes West Ham have a couple of more chances. Anton remains superb in defence. Hislop makes an excellent save. Pires score on 88 minutes but West Ham hang on for the win!!!!!!!!

Tonight's Side

Harewood and Zamora start up front. Clive Clarke at right back. Arsenal start with recent signing Vasiriki Abou Diaby 19, (who rejected advances from Chelsea) in central midfield. Come on Nigel!

Scaloni apparently was signed too late to play. Ashton starts on bench. Roy Carroll is still injured. Dailly is suspended.

The West Ham site has reopened after its redesign. Still looks too cluttered to me.

Scaloni Signs

Scaloni has signed on loan for the rest of the season. Official. Alan Pardew said today, "I targeted Lionel because, in my view, he is very similar to Tomas Repka. He is strong and aggressive and I am sure our fans will enjoy seeing him play.

It was important to me that we retain the equilibrium of the team, and that is why I have signed a player of Lionel's style ... Initially, I didn't want to take anybody on loan, but when the opportunity arose to sign a player of this quality, I simply couldn't turn it down. Hopefully, it will be a success for us, and a success for him, and it is something that may turn into a long-term deal if all goes well."

It sounds that Scaloni will be expected to play at right back despite his apparent skills as a right-winger.

Sky Sports Back-Track on Scaloni Deal

Sky Sports are now quoting West Ham as saying that they have not yet signed Scaloni, but he is one of two players they are pursuing. No bets on the other being Kelley (Spud).

Lionel Scaloni - Player Profile

From a Deportivo-La-Coruna fans site, (sorry more plagairism, but its a busy day)

"Lionel Scaloni has been adding fighting power to Deportivo for seven seasons already, and is nicknamed “The Bull” for that. He’s both an emotional and determined player who has been a popular figure among supporters since he first arrived at Deportivo from Argentinian club Estudiantes in the middle of the 1997/98 season. But Irureta has not been particularly impressed with his performances, as the player never played a full season as a starter.

Scaloni was a member of the Argentina team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in which he scored the best goal of the tournament, against Brazil in the Quarter Finals. Lionel Scaloni was also the scorer of the last-minute goal which gave Deportivo their first ever victory in the Champions League, when they beat Hamburger SV 2-1 in September 2000.

Scaloni has only been playing between 14 (1999/2000) and 32 (2002/2003) Liga matches per season, indicating that he has problems finding a regular spot in the team. It will make this season important for him as he’s close to the most important phase of his career. He earned his first call up for the Argentine national side in 2002. "

On the web Scaloni is variously described as a defender or a right winger, so I guess he can play in either position. I think that he is/was also Deportiva's club captain depite not being a regular this season.

Lionel Scaloni a Done Deal According to Sky

I have no problems plagairising this from Sky Sports as they seem to have nicked this directly from the Spanish website I mention in the post below.

"West Ham are to sign Deportivo La Coruna star Lionel Scaloni after missing out on Barcelona's Gabri.

The Argentine will join The Hammers on loan until the end of the season, although there will be no option to make the transfer permanent.

Alan Pardew thought he had won the chase for Gabri on Monday, but the player ultimately opted to stay at Camp Nou leaving the West Ham chief to switch his sights to another Liga performer.

Scaloni is club captain at Depor where he has been for eight years, but has found opportunities hard to come by since Joaquin Caparros took charge last summer.

His father confirmed the news Scaloni is now to play the second half of the season in England and, using less than complimentary terms, admitted the move had come as a bolt from the blue for his 27-year-old son.

"Everything is arranged with West Ham," stated Angel Scaloni.

"They confirmed it with us at midday, although we already knew about the negotiations.

"The truth is that is was a not a completely pleasant surprise, but that's football.

"After being here eight years it was just another offer, but the president (Augusto Cesar Lendoiro) was convinced by this particular offer and it satisfies the player on a sporting level as he will have the chance to play.

"He is going on loan with no option to buy as long as there is no change in the conditions of the transfer.

"He was very happy in La Coruna where the people treated him very well, but the life of a professional footballer has these things and he did not have much chance under Caparros at Deportivo.""

OMG another Transfer Rumour

Today on Spanish website Terra.es the father of Argentian right side midfielder/defender Scaloni claimed he had signed a loan deal with West Ham until the end of the season.

The message board of Hammers Mad are also buzzing with the news we have resigned Glen Johnson.

It's going to a busy night for rumours!

Arsenal v West Ham

Arsenal v West Ham

Highbury
Wednesday, 1 February
Kick-off: 2000 GMT

Dean Ashton may start! Ashton apparently has recovered from his groin problem. Roy Carroll may return after overcoming his recurring back injury. Christian Dailly is suspended so the problem at right back grows.

Arsenal are without suspended Cesc Fabregas and Jose Antonio Reyes. Lauren, Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy and Pascal Cygan are all injured. Henry should be back but won't score.

In addition, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are away at the African Cup of Nations.


TV: Sky Sports 2 (despite Sky continually saying the game is live tonight - Tue)
Radio: BBC Radio Five Live

Gabri Staying at Barcelona

Gabri is staying at Barcelona. The BBC quote Gabri as saying, "After much consideration, my final decision is to remain at Barca," said the 27-year-old.

Talks between the two parties are thought to have stalled after Gabri rejected West Ham's offer of a short-term contract. The versatile right-sided player had reportedly wanted a three year deal - a deal considered unacceptable by the Hammers due to his recent injury problems.

Spanish newspaper Marca reported earlier today that Gabri is staying at Barcelona. The Babelfish translation of their report reads,

"Gabri, midfield player of Barcelona, has decided to fulfill its contract with the Catalan club and not to file by the West Ham United, equipment that had been interested to take control of its services and that it tried to file it before the term of hiring of players in the winter market finalized."

This seems to suggest that he has not signed a new deal but is remaining at Barcelona until his contract expires in the summer.

Transfer Rumour

It is reported that Gabri is flying to London for a medical at Upton Park tomorrow.

Gabri has been told he must take a 60% pay cut if he wants a new deal at Barca. As he is only now considered a back up player this suggests he should be keen on a move.

Sky Sports are now reporting that Gabri is close to signing a three year deal.

Transfer Rumour

Sky Sports website claims that Gabri did not, "train with his team-mates on Monday, and was instead in the club's Camp Nou offices talking with Barca and West Ham officials.

Transfer Rumour

Barcelona have confirmed that Gabri is hoping to move to the English Premiership soon. West Ham are thought to be club closest to a deal.

Club spokesman Toni Ruiz said today, “The player has informed us of his desire to move to the Premiership in order to have more playing time.”

The Catalan press have linked Gabri with West Ham but Barcelona have refused to confirm whether that was the player’s preferred option. The club have said however that they will not stand in his way if he wants to move. Gabri’s current contract is due to expire in the summer and the club have hinted that they would be willing to let him go on a free transfer.

FA Cup Fifth Round Draw

Bolton vs West Ham

So Bolton away. Oh, the historical significance of this game. The 1923 first Wembley final, 200,000 supporters storming the ramparts of the new Empire Stadium, a horse called Billy etc. The score on such a day was of course completely insignificant.

Does Yossi Want Out?

Both the NoW and Sky Sports have reported an illegal tapping up of Yossi Benayoun. What is more worrying is that Yossi has said he will consider an £8.5 million five-year deal offered by Hapoel Tel Aviv if they approach West Ham properly.

The rumour seems to be true as West Ham managing director Paul Aldridge told the News of the World: "The Fifa rules are clear in respect of speaking with players registered to other clubs. We expect these rules to be adhered to and will act if an illegal approach has been made. There are a number of options available to us and we would need to consider the most appropriate."

Benayoun also confessed that another Israeli side had contacted him about the possibility of a move.

What is most worrying is that Yossi has said he might consider the move. Perhaps like Repka he is homesick. . When he played for the Ajax youth team he did get home sick and leave in the middle of the season to go back to Israel.