BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX © All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission.	WEST HAM v MIDDLESBROUGH, FA Premiership, Saturday 31 March 2007 Although there were some mutterings around Teesside that the season was effectively ended with FA Cup Quarter-final defeat last weekend, this was firmly rebuffed by Boro gaffer Southgate. Indeed, it was the strongest squad available that turned out into the sunshine at Upton Park, with a welcome return for Woodgate. The suspended Morrison and Cattermole would be missed in midfield, and with Arca injured, responsibility fell to Taylor and Parnaby. West Ham were looking for their second consecutive win, taking some solace in the fact that Boro had only managed one away win this season, at Charlton, and had not won at Upton Park seven times out of the last eight. Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Xavier, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Parnaby, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Yakubu, Viduka Subs: Jones, Huth, Euell, Lee, Johnson Boro started attacking right to left, in the spring sunshine. Both teams started brightly, but as the crowds were still settling down with their balti pies the home team put the first mark on the scoreboard. It was Rochemback who gave it away by dilly-dallying and Noble did not need asking twice to serve the ball to Tevez who crossed to Zamora who found bottom right of goal from 12 yards out. West Ham 1 Middlesbrough 0 (Zamora, 2) After this, a visibly stunned Boro took some time to settle down, the first real counter attack coming four minutes later. Then it was Tevez who tried to double the score line twice in quick succession, but both times thwarted by nifty footwork from Xavier. Despite some shining moments, overall it was Boro who collectively were all on the back foot, and confidence needed to be found quickly to avoid total wipeout. Next incident of note was a corner on 17 minutes when Noble took a deflection from Viduka after a Boro burst. Downing took this, but Green punched it to safety in the crowded goal area. This then started a period of the ball staying deep in the Boro half, but chance after chance from Tevez, Noble and Zamora was blocked by the Boro defence, Xavier shining in particular but Schwarzer also executed a perfect point blank save. The Irons were still holding the lion's share of possession, and Boro continued to play quite far back. By this stage in the game no-one could have faulted the Hammers fighting spirit as they succeeded in tearing the visitors' concentration to shreds. Another corner on 23 saw Viduka attempt a shot from the rebound, which went over the bar. Play then warmed up considerably and the two teams became equal on attempted shots when Boateng's 30 yard effort was saved by Green. A cross from Tevez knocked on the near post, however Zamora pressed forward to try to bury this, catching Schwarzer who fell to the ground, but no foul was recorded. There was danger on every part of the pitch, and it was Viduka who tried to temper this by trying to produce some Aussie magic from a 20 yard out free kick, Most of the West Ham players were in the wall, but the ball was high and curled in the wrong direction, ending up in the crowd. As the fourth offical was preparing the notification of added minutes, the Hammers continued their relentless quest to increase the lead. This was granted when Tevez popped up to take advantage of a deflection from Taylor from a Schwarzer punch, the ball falling right to his feet and he made no mistake from 12 yards. West Ham 2 Middlesbrough 0 (Tevez 44) Boro had everything and more to do in the second half to rescue this game. Arca's guile and Morrison's speed was desparately missed but this was not the time to give up. THE SECOND HALF The first five minutes of the second half saw Boro trying to regain control and hope to capitalise on any potential relaxation from West Ham. The first corner of the half was taken by Etherington for the Hammers, but was safely cleared by Woodgate. Overall not enough creative play was in evidence, and the frenzy of the first half was not repeated. Parnaby was taken off and replaced by Johnson, who immediately became an attacking force and finally Boro demonstrated pace and depth on both flanks. This did not materialise into results however - West Ham became defensive overall and Boro could only manage a break appoximately every five minutes. These breaks did not come to anything, and it was shots that were elusive, let alone goals. It was Boateng who nearly decapitated Noble, but it was the latter's fault as he irresponsibly threw himself straight into the trajectory, but fortunately he did not join the list of players taken to A and E mid-game and carried on. Some frustrations were starting to build on both sides but play was generally controlled. Pogatetz was booked after a foul on Tevez at 62, a retaliation for being nutmegged, and was then taken off in favour of Huth. Southgate engaged Pogo in conversation explaining this decision, which had baffled everyone else as there was no apparent injury to the central defender, who would receive a 2 match ban in any case. After a scrappy few minutes, a couple of shots were attempted at each end, both going wide of the mark, Boro's effort coming from the otherwise quiet Yakubu. The service to the strikers was of a second class grade this afternon unfortunately as the Boro midfield were thwarted again and again by the Premiership stragglers. Indeed West Ham had started to move from being purely defensive to decisively chasing their third. Tevez was then taken off, and with the earlier replacement of Zamora by Branco meant that both scorers were off the pitch. Boa Morte attempted to make his mark straight away, forcing Schwarzer to demonstrate once more what a world class keeper he is, perfectly getting his legs in the way of the ball. The red zone was entered with determination by both teams. The home crowd started to empty, secure in their belief that the points were in the bag. Euell came on for Rochemback but attempts on goal by Downing and Viduka had no effect on the scoreline. There was effort being made but no sense of urgency or passion as the Boro collective appeared almost resigned to their ninth away defeat with steady performing, but no more. As the final whistle blew on a disappointing half compared to the earlier performance, credit had to be given to West Ham, who would not be in their current position if they had shown this sort of fight consistently throuhgout the season By Bettingzone.co.uk - Used with permission. SEND THIS TO A FRIEND BACK TO WEST HAM v BORO MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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