Blackburn vs West Ham - The Reviews

Most of the papers concentrate on Fat Sam's endless moaning about referees but where they do give a mention to West Ham most were impressed by West Ham's defensive abilities and Noble's goal.

The Mail were impressed with West Ham's goal, "the goal was created with a classic series of one-touch passes, completed when Noble tucked away Diego Tristan's pass with the outside of his boot". However they were more impressed with West Ham's defending,

"West Ham's escape from Ewood Park owed more to heroic defending than the beautiful game Zola is known for. Ex-Rovers defender Lucas Neill, booed throughout by home fans on his return, will be battered and bruised this morning having got so many blocks in."

The Telegraph called West Ham's performance 'a display of real grit.

The Times called Noble's goal 'spectacular'. The Times were overall very impressed with West Ham's first half performance, "With a handful of their senior players missing through injury and suspension, they counter-attacked sweetly throughout the first half."

The Independent felt "West Ham would have taken the lead (earlier) if Diego Tristan could move faster than an statue." However they were impressed with his assist for the goal, "Tristan played a pass to Noble who curled an exquisite low shot with the outside of his right foot past Robinson and in off the post."

The Guardian call West Ham's defending 'heroic'. The paper also say West Ham's goal was "high quality ... Noble started and finished the attack that led to the opener, his pass allowing Boa Morte and Diego Tristán to flick the ball between each other before their team-mate arrived and delivered a superb shot."