Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Stunning strikes sink Fulham.
Anton Ferdinand and Yossi Benayoun scored brilliant goals as West Ham survived a second-half fightback to beat Fulham 2-1 at Upton Park.Fulham enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and could have been two up if Brian McBride had kept his shot on target and Luis Boa Morte had not inadvertently blocked a goalbound Heidar Helguson header.But the Cottagers were left reeling on 17 minutes when Ferdinand crashed a sumptuous 20-yard volley into the top corner. Not to be outdone, Benayoun twisted and turned on the edge of the area 11 minutes later and sent an exquisite chip over a stranded Antti Niemi.Benayoun was denied a second by a great Niemi save but it was Fulham who grabbed a lifeline after 52 minutes when Helguson crashed a shot in off the post after Danny Gabbidon's error.
Helguson then had a great penalty claim turned down after being barged by Paul Konchesky and, as the home side suffered an attack of the jitters, Roy Carroll saved superbly from Tomasz Radzinski.Bobby Zamora hit the post 15 minutes from time as the Hammers weathered the storm in what was an emotional final game for defender Tomas Repka.
Helguson then had a great penalty claim turned down after being barged by Paul Konchesky and, as the home side suffered an attack of the jitters, Roy Carroll saved superbly from Tomasz Radzinski.Bobby Zamora hit the post 15 minutes from time as the Hammers weathered the storm in what was an emotional final game for defender Tomas Repka.
