It took a whole 22 minutes for Newcastle to take a grip of the game, the majority of chances prior to that being cut out by the superb Hayden Mullins who tackled strongly, stemming the home side’s flow like a cork. But with every Newcastle attack West Ham looked to push forward and return the favour.
On 25 minutes great play by Konchesky along the left set Sheringham free, passing it to Benayoun whose shot beat Shay Given but was hammered off the line by Babayaro.
Drama at the other end came from a penalty shout but Dermot Gallagher adjudged Konchesky to have won the ball from Lee Bowyer; the right decision.
On 30 minutes another great chance for the Irons, the irrepressible Reo-Coker beating four Newcastle players and setting up Harewood who should have kept hold and ultimately done better. But at least he appeared to be trying. Reo-Coker kept up his pace with Harewood missing a few decent chances til the break, claiming superiority over defender Boumsong throughout.
Newcastle fans were frustrated at half time by a West Ham team who defended well and were creative in a way many would believe to be ‘above their station.’ But West Ham kept it 0-0 with a comfortable and unshakable performance, the Hammers’ travelling supporters standing up to applaud their team from the field of play.
HT – 0-0
After the first half, with Teddy looking tired, Pardew brought Shaun Newton into the fold to replace him, taking up position along the right flank with Yossi Benayoun playing behind Harewood.
Then came the news which put a major blow on the game for the Hammers. Konchesky winning the ball just outside the box is shown the red card by Dermot Gallagher, even after consulting with his assistant who at the time had kept his flag down. The West Ham team would have to battle on with just 10 men after a poor decision which should certainly be overturned ironically like the Jermaine Jenas red card last week. Luckily West Ham were vindicated as the resulting free kick was comfortably saved by Carroll. Shaun Newton moves to left back in place of Konchesky.
The sound of the West Ham fans roared to make up for the loss of Konch and despite the loss, the team continued to look dangerous and to threaten the Newcastle defence, notably Etherington, Benayoun and Harewood.
Another chance for Newcastle half way through the second half came from James Milner but Carroll lept to palm it to his left with Danny Gabbidon lunging the ball away. Quickly Newcastle got in another and Bowyer had his shot from the edge of the box knocked over the bar by Roy Carroll.
Newcastle fans started to leave with 15 minutes remaining having been frustrated by their teams inability to get on top of a gutsy never-say-die West Ham side. With 10 minutes to go Zamora came on for Harewood and immediately squandered an opportunity which was unfortunately cut out by Bomsoung.
Then Reo-Coker the man of the moment showed his pace to make a courageous dart forward playing off Zamora and was very unlucky not to score West Ham’s winner with 5 minutes to go.
Having stood tall against 10 corners, and had more than half of the possession with 10 men for 40 minutes West Ham can be delighted with this result. The midfield looked strong, Mullins played superbly again, and Newton adapted well at the back. More calls for Souness’s head I believe!