Hull 1 West Ham 0
West Ham were unchanged from the Bolton game, except for Bellamy in for Di Michele.
Hull started the brighter of the two teams but after 15 minutes West Ham started to control possession and the game, with Hull restricted to the occasional hopeful long ball forward. Despite West Ham's possession they didn't create much in the way of goal scoring opportunities.
In the 16th minute Bellamy made a great run forward down the left before crossing for Cole. However Cole's first time shot from 7 yards was straight at the keeper. In the 17th minute Myhill, in goal, threw the ball in the air ready to hump it up field but Llunga did brilliantly to steal the ball and score a goal from an overhead kick. For some reason the ref decided to disallow the goal and book Llunga.
In th2 25th minute Marney took Noble's feet away from under him inside the penalty area but the ref decided to ignore West Ham's appeals. The ball went out for a corner and from the corner Llunga had a free header from 6 yards. However he headed just wide of the right-hand post. A couple of minutes before the break Cole headed the ball down for Bellamy 7 yards out but Bellamy skied the ball well over.
Five minutes into the second half Etherington gave away a corner. From the corner Turner rose above Upson and headed Hull into the lead from five yards. A minute later and Behrami made a great run down the right wing and crossed for Cole. Five yards out and Cole turned and shot against the crossbar.
That was as much of a fight back as West Ham could muster though. Whilst West Ham had looked good in the first half in the second they looked pedestrian. Cole created a chance for Parker in the 66th minute which Parker managed to put well wide. In the 67th minute Cole made a good break down the left and crossed to the far post but Etherington couldn't pull his volley back far enough and shot wide.
In the last few minutes West Ham managed to create a bit of pressure but never threatened the Hull goal.
West Ham seem to have entered Alan Curbishley's Bizarro world. Instead of playing crap football and picking up points we play good football and win nothing.
The West Ham we all know and love are back!
posted by Keir Clarke @ 3:43 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
According to the rules of the game as of 2005 (which I downloaded in PDF) Ilunga's move was illegal:
"As a goalkeeper releases the ball to kick it into play, an opponent
intercepts it before it touches the ground. Is this permitted?
No. It is an offence to prevent a goalkeeper releasing the ball from his
hands. The releasing of the ball from his hands and the kicking of the
ball is considered to be a single action."
This has been debated in the past and many people argue that it should be allowed. But as the rules stand (unless this has been changed in the last three years) the ref made the right decision with Ilunga.
I think the yellow card was a bit harsh though. A free kick alone would have sufficed.
Post a Comment
<< Home