Sport category: Soccer Wonder strikes see West Ham beat Fulham
Date: 25-01-2006 18:49
West Ham beat Fulham 2-1 at Upton Park after two spectacular first-half goals by Anton Ferdinand and Yossi Benayoun. Heidur Helguson pulled one back for the Cottagers who felt aggrieved after a second half penalty appeal was turned down by Uriah Rennie in Thomas Repka's last game for West Ham.
Ferdinand's goal came against the run of play but will rank as one of if not his best ever, volleying into the top left corner on the turn after a flick-on by Marlon Harewood. The goal comes hot on the heels of elder brother Rio's last-gasp winner for Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday.
"It was a such fantastic sweet strike, he has got such fantastic technical ability. I'm not surprised," said West Ham manager Alan Pardew.
He added "If we take this victory under our belt we can do well this year."
Fulham coach Chris Coleman refused to blame refereeing decisions for his side's defeat:
"It was a penalty. But it's too easy for me to talk about whether it should have been a penalty or not.
"I've played in many London derbies and we didn't get a tackle in... it's just not good enough."
Fulham actually had the better of the opening exchanges, with Brian McBride and Heidur Helguson going close, the latter rifling a goal-bound header against team-mate Luis Boa Morte.
WONDER GOALS
Israeli international Yossi Benayoun almost rivalled the quality of Ferdinand's strike with a deft chip to make it 2-0 at half-time, Fulham's good early work undone and the West London side reeling.
The second half started in the same vein, and a 47th minute tangle between Carlos Bocanegra and Bobby Zamora arguably could have seen a card of some colour for the USA international.
West Ham pressed but an uncharacteristic error by Danny Gabbidon allowed Heidur Helguson to thrash home a sweet volley from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 on 52 minutes.
West Ham proceeded to fall apart, with terrible defensive errors and nervous passing allowing Fulham a succession of chances that saw man-of-the-match Roy Carrol pull of a series of great saves, notably from sub Thomas Radzinski.
The most contentious moment however came when another defensive howler - this tile from Paul Knochesky - let Helguson in only for the former Charlton and Spurs left-back to clearly shive the Icelandic international over in a clear-cut penalty.
But referee Uriah Rennie - perhaps mindful of his decision not to act against Carlos Bocanegra earlier in the half - waved play on and an incensed Fulham were left with no points and in 13th place, while West Ham rise to ninth.
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