Relief for Curbishley as Hammers grind out win over Rovers
Saturday, 30 Aug 2008 17:05
Blackburn Rovers have not won at Upton Park since 1994.
West Ham United eased the pressure on boss Alan Curbishley with a 4-1 win over
Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park.
The Hammers made the perfect start when Julien Faubert's corner was headed in by Calum Davenport on 12 minutes.
Eight minutes later they looked to be cruising to victory when Mark Noble's weak shot was deflected in off Christopher Samba for an own goal.
But Rovers got themselves back into the match with their next attack when Jason Roberts spun past Davenport and tucked the ball past Robert Green.
Matt Derbyshire, who came on for the injured Roque Santa Cruz, thought he had scored Rovers' equaliser but it was controversially ruled out for offside on the half hour mark.
The second-half was equally frenetic with Rovers awarded a penalty but Robert Green saved Roberts' spot-kick.
Despite being outplayed for much of the half, substitute Craig Bellamy sealed victory in stoppage time with a clinical finish to make it 3-1.
And with seconds remaining, Carlton Cole struck home the fourth to give the Hammers their second win of the season.
Elsewhere,
Wigan Athletic notched up their first win of the season by thumping Hull City 5-0.
The Latics made an explosive start to lead 2-0 after 14 minutes. Sam Ricketts sliced a corner into his own net on five minutes, while Antonio Valencia scored Wigan's second when he raced clear from the halfway line to slot the ball under Boaz Myhil.
Wigan sealed victory on 63 minutes when Valencia's cross from the right was converted by new signing Amr Zaki, with Emile Heskey scoring the fourth five minutes later after rounding the goalkeeper.
And the impressive Zaki sealed the rout on 75 minutes when his pile-driver from 15 yards cannoned in off the underside of the bar.
Elsewhere, an 85th minute goal from Tuncay gave
Middlesbrough a 2-1 win over Stoke City at the Riverside Stadium.
A dull game was livened up by Amdy Faye being red-carded for a sickening two-footed lunge on Mohammed Shawky on 36 minutes. From the resulting free-kick, Afonso Alves swerved in a free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner.
Stewart Downing blew the chance to double Boro's lead when he smashed a penalty against the crossbar. And the Premier League new boys made Downing pay for that miss when Liam Lawrence's cross was bundled in by Justin Hoyte for an own goal on 69 minutes.
But Tuncay broke Stoke hearts five minutes from time when he slotted the ball past Thomas Sorensen after latching onto Didier Digard's drive.
Elsewhere, West Bromwich Albion remain without a win in the top-flight after a 0-0 draw with
Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.