News Update

Yesterday may have lacked action on the pitch but the news was still rolling. This site is a one man operation so it was a struggle to post here, but what happened yesterday?
Well Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier was admitted to hospital yesterday morning suffering from chest pains. It is expected the Frenchman will not be back on the sidelines until the new season. Until then Villa number 2 Gary McAllister will take charge of the first team.
Much was mentioned about Arsenals failure to capitalize on a two goal lead against Tottenham which saw then lead 3-1 and leave White Hart Lane with one point, and an entertaining (for the neutrals) 3-3 draw.
Norwich won the 'Old Farm Derby' beating Ipswich 5-1 at Portman Road, there biggest victory there since the second world war'
North of the border parcel bombs were intercepted by Royal Mail destined for Celtic manager Neil Lennon, Paul McBride QC and Labour politician Trish Godman (both have Celtic connections). Its not known who sent the parcels but the investigation into the incident on March 26 is ongoing.
And finally congratulations go to West Ham's Scott Parker who last night won the Footballer Of The Year by the Football Writers Association just pipping Tottenhams Gareth Bale to the award.


Quite a busy day then yesterday, I endeavour to update the site with more tales from the world of football as well as the news from the Emirates as regining 'Unofficial Premier League Champions' Arsenal are preparing for their trip north to face Bolton Wanderers.


Have a great Good Friday


Jamie

West Ham Hammered By Pensioners West Ham United 1 (Parker 85) Chelsea 3 (Essien 2 & 83, Kalou 18)

The Premier League took a 2 week break for international commitments but it took Chelsea 2 minutes to get back into the swing of things against a West Ham side low on confidence.  This defeat for the Hammers makes it the worst start to a season in the clubs history and already there is uncertainty over the future of Avram Grant.

Chelsea on the other hand have a perfect 100% record this season and have already scored 17 goals in their 4 games conceding just the one by Scott Parker today.

We may only be 4 games into the season but West Ham find themselves rooted at the bottom of the table, 4 points adrift from safety and with games against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur they could be in danger of being further away from safety.

Back to the game and after 2 minutes Didier Drogba's cross from a corner found Essien unmarked to head his team in front, despite Carlton Cole's efforts to head the ball clear.

Chelsea's second goal had more than a hint of farce about it as Hammers goalkeeper Rob Green failed to cling on to a low Drogba free-kick. Upson pounced on the loose ball but his clearance cannoned into Kalou's heel and looped into the net.

Most people in the crowd knew the game was already over yet we hadn't reached the 20 minute mark.  The rest of the first half Chelsea were in control but West Ham managed to create some chances but nothing to worry Petr Cech in the Chelsea goal.

The second half saw West Ham try to take control but they couldn't get behind Chelsea and make Cech work, Chelsea seemed to have all the answers and then with 7 minutes left Essien got his second goal of the game.  Paulo Ferreira's cross found Essien who nodded home from close range.

Five minutes from time and West Ham got themselves on the scoresheet.  Cech cleared a West Ham corner but his punch found Parker who volleyed the ball over Cech and into the net.  If you heard the cheer of the West Ham crowd you wouldn't have realised they had scored.  The usual noise from the crowd had dwindled as the realisation of a relegation battle was starting to hit home.

Lineups:

West Ham: 01-Green, 3-Ben Haim, 08-Parker, 09-Cole, 13-Boa Morte, 15-Upson, 16-Noble, 21-Behrami, 23-Ilunga, 33-Obinna, 37-Jacobsen Subs Used 07-Dyer, 30-Piquionne

Chelsea: 01-Cech, 02-Ivanovic, 03-Cole, 05-Essien, 07-Ramires, 11-Drogba, 12-Obi Mikel, 19 Ferreira, 21-Kalou, 26 Terry, 39-Anelka Subs Used: 15-Malouda, 33-Alex, 44-Kakuta

Todays Other Scores:

Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers: AR-Koscielny, Chamakh, Song, Vela BW-Elmander

Everton 3-3 Manchester United: EV-Pienaar, Cahill, Arteta MU-Fletcher, Vidic, Berbatov

Fulham 2-1 Wolves: FU-Dembele (2) WW-Van Damme

Manchester City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers: MC-Viera BR-Kalinic

Newcastle United 0-2 Blackpool: BP-Adam(pen), Campbell

West Brom 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: WB-Brunt TH-Modric

Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sunderland: WA-Alcaraz SU-Gyan