Yorkshire Post 22/8/11
West Ham United 2 Leeds United 2: Impressive Leeds play their part in superb encounter
By Richard Sutcliffe
WHEN the case was being made in favour of West Ham United moving to the Olympic Stadium
after next year’s Games, all manner of reasons were put forward by the club’s board.
A need to bring more matchday income into the coffers courtesy of a 60,000 capacity venue was the most persuasive, while it being much easier to get to Stratford than Upton Park on weekends when the tube system in the East End is left near paralysed by engineering works also won over many of the doubters.
Upton Park being something of a graveyard for the Hammers when Leeds United come to the capital is, admittedly, unlikely to have been in anyone’s thoughts.
However, after United yesterday extended their amazing run to just two defeat in 18 trips up the District Line since 1975, the home fans could be thankful that come 2013 West Ham are likely to be kicking off the season in new surroundings.
A dramatic equaliser with six seconds of normal time remaining by Adam Clayton was enough to earn Leeds reward this time.
And, even allowing for being denied so late on, surely few of the home fans in the 28,252 crowd can argue that the Yorkshire club did not deserve a share of the spoils from a truly absorbing contest.
Against a side containing three current England internationals – something that was enough to persuade Fabio Capello to give up his Sunday to watch – and a £5m summer signing in Kevin Nolan, Leeds were quite simply outstanding.
With Clayton and Jonny Howson bossing proceedings in midfield and Andy Keogh again linking up impressively with Ross McCormack up front, Simon Grayson’s side took the game to their hosts in a manner that few will surely match this season.
West Ham also played a full part in ensuring that the 103rd tussle between two old foes should be such an enthralling affair.
Sam Allardyce’s side undoubtedly started brighter, so much so that they created three chances in the space of 51 seconds just after the clock in the corner of the Trevor Brooking Stand had passed the five-minute mark.
Andy Lonergan was equal to the first of those two efforts, a looping header by Carlton Cole and a fierce header from James Tomkins. The Leeds goalkeeper could, however, do nothing about the third of those quick-fire chances as Cole nipped in front of Tom Lees to divert Matt Taylor’s cross into the net from close range.
It was the worst possible start for Leeds but credit must go to Grayson’s men for how they responded in admirable fashion to force several openings of their own.
First, a delightful chipped pass from the outstanding Clayton released Max Gradel, who brought a fine save from Robert Green.
Keogh then had two efforts blocked before Robert Snodgrass struck a post with a dipping shot after West Ham had only half-cleared the Scot’s corner.
Allardyce’s side, clearly not wanting to be dictated to on their own patch, responded with a surge forward that saw Darren O’Dea forced to concede a corner under pressure from Taylor.
From the resulting set-piece, James Tomkins was then bundled to the floor by Paddy Kisnorbo only for referee Michael Oliver to wave away the appeals for what appeared a definite penalty.
West Ham were understandably incensed and their anger only increased on 28 minutes when Oliver pointed to the spot at the other end after an awkward bounce had seen the ball strike Matt Taylor on the arm.
It was a soft decision, though one Leeds were unable to take advantage of due to Gradel then drilling wide of Green’s right-hand post from 12 yards.
At this stage, it was difficult to believe less than half an hour had been played, such had been the remarkable pace of proceedings.
That continued right through to half-time with West Ham having a second penalty appeal turned down when Cole seemed to be tripped by Aidy White and then Gradel raced up the other end to unleash a swerving 30-yard effort that Green beat away at full-stretch.
If that wasn’t enough incident for the crowd to savour in 45 captivating minutes, there was still time for referee Oliver to miss Cole swinging his elbow into O’Dea’s face.
The controversy continued after the restart with Parker’s sliding tackle on White seeing a corner awarded by the Northumberland official when he should have instead pointed to the spot.
What was also maintained in the second half was the ability of both sides to race forward at breakneck speed to force an opening.
Unlike the opening 45 minutes, Leeds were the first to threaten when Keogh found himself in space just eight yards out only to then shoot straight at Green, McCormack firing the rebound over.
At the other end, Jack Collison brought a smart block from Lonergan but it was the visitors who continued to dominate and their reward came just before the hour.
McCormack, who had been denied twice in quick succession just moments earlier, was the player who found the net with a close range finish but the goal owed everything to the intricate play of Snodgrass and Keogh plus a raking cross-field ball from Jonny Howson that had opened up the home defence.
West Ham’s response was impressively swift, the hosts regaining their lead within just three minutes when a drilled cross by Julien Faubert was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Kisnorbo.
For a spell, Leeds then looked a beaten side as only the brilliance of Lonergan kept out efforts from James Tomkins and Winston Reid, while Parker’s drilled shot was deflected just wide by O’Dea.
However, right at the finish, there was a sting in the tail for the Hammers as Clayton pounced after Howson’s snap shot had struck the crossbar to fire past Green and ensure United’s record at Upton Park since 1975 now reads 10 wins, six draws and just two defeats.
West Ham United 2 Leeds United 2: Impressive Leeds play their part in superb encounter
By Richard Sutcliffe
WHEN the case was being made in favour of West Ham United moving to the Olympic Stadium
after next year’s Games, all manner of reasons were put forward by the club’s board.
A need to bring more matchday income into the coffers courtesy of a 60,000 capacity venue was the most persuasive, while it being much easier to get to Stratford than Upton Park on weekends when the tube system in the East End is left near paralysed by engineering works also won over many of the doubters.
Upton Park being something of a graveyard for the Hammers when Leeds United come to the capital is, admittedly, unlikely to have been in anyone’s thoughts.
However, after United yesterday extended their amazing run to just two defeat in 18 trips up the District Line since 1975, the home fans could be thankful that come 2013 West Ham are likely to be kicking off the season in new surroundings.
A dramatic equaliser with six seconds of normal time remaining by Adam Clayton was enough to earn Leeds reward this time.
And, even allowing for being denied so late on, surely few of the home fans in the 28,252 crowd can argue that the Yorkshire club did not deserve a share of the spoils from a truly absorbing contest.
Against a side containing three current England internationals – something that was enough to persuade Fabio Capello to give up his Sunday to watch – and a £5m summer signing in Kevin Nolan, Leeds were quite simply outstanding.
With Clayton and Jonny Howson bossing proceedings in midfield and Andy Keogh again linking up impressively with Ross McCormack up front, Simon Grayson’s side took the game to their hosts in a manner that few will surely match this season.
West Ham also played a full part in ensuring that the 103rd tussle between two old foes should be such an enthralling affair.
Sam Allardyce’s side undoubtedly started brighter, so much so that they created three chances in the space of 51 seconds just after the clock in the corner of the Trevor Brooking Stand had passed the five-minute mark.
Andy Lonergan was equal to the first of those two efforts, a looping header by Carlton Cole and a fierce header from James Tomkins. The Leeds goalkeeper could, however, do nothing about the third of those quick-fire chances as Cole nipped in front of Tom Lees to divert Matt Taylor’s cross into the net from close range.
It was the worst possible start for Leeds but credit must go to Grayson’s men for how they responded in admirable fashion to force several openings of their own.
First, a delightful chipped pass from the outstanding Clayton released Max Gradel, who brought a fine save from Robert Green.
Keogh then had two efforts blocked before Robert Snodgrass struck a post with a dipping shot after West Ham had only half-cleared the Scot’s corner.
Allardyce’s side, clearly not wanting to be dictated to on their own patch, responded with a surge forward that saw Darren O’Dea forced to concede a corner under pressure from Taylor.
From the resulting set-piece, James Tomkins was then bundled to the floor by Paddy Kisnorbo only for referee Michael Oliver to wave away the appeals for what appeared a definite penalty.
West Ham were understandably incensed and their anger only increased on 28 minutes when Oliver pointed to the spot at the other end after an awkward bounce had seen the ball strike Matt Taylor on the arm.
It was a soft decision, though one Leeds were unable to take advantage of due to Gradel then drilling wide of Green’s right-hand post from 12 yards.
At this stage, it was difficult to believe less than half an hour had been played, such had been the remarkable pace of proceedings.
That continued right through to half-time with West Ham having a second penalty appeal turned down when Cole seemed to be tripped by Aidy White and then Gradel raced up the other end to unleash a swerving 30-yard effort that Green beat away at full-stretch.
If that wasn’t enough incident for the crowd to savour in 45 captivating minutes, there was still time for referee Oliver to miss Cole swinging his elbow into O’Dea’s face.
The controversy continued after the restart with Parker’s sliding tackle on White seeing a corner awarded by the Northumberland official when he should have instead pointed to the spot.
What was also maintained in the second half was the ability of both sides to race forward at breakneck speed to force an opening.
Unlike the opening 45 minutes, Leeds were the first to threaten when Keogh found himself in space just eight yards out only to then shoot straight at Green, McCormack firing the rebound over.
At the other end, Jack Collison brought a smart block from Lonergan but it was the visitors who continued to dominate and their reward came just before the hour.
McCormack, who had been denied twice in quick succession just moments earlier, was the player who found the net with a close range finish but the goal owed everything to the intricate play of Snodgrass and Keogh plus a raking cross-field ball from Jonny Howson that had opened up the home defence.
West Ham’s response was impressively swift, the hosts regaining their lead within just three minutes when a drilled cross by Julien Faubert was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Kisnorbo.
For a spell, Leeds then looked a beaten side as only the brilliance of Lonergan kept out efforts from James Tomkins and Winston Reid, while Parker’s drilled shot was deflected just wide by O’Dea.
However, right at the finish, there was a sting in the tail for the Hammers as Clayton pounced after Howson’s snap shot had struck the crossbar to fire past Green and ensure United’s record at Upton Park since 1975 now reads 10 wins, six draws and just two defeats.