West Ham United

West Ham United
West Ham pipped Reading to the play-offs after beating Watford away. Goals from Anton Ferdinand and a Marlon Harewood penalty ensured Alan Pardew's side claimed sixth spot, setting up a play-off semi-final against Ipswich. After Watford failed to clear a corner, Elliot Ward's cross from the left found Anton Ferdinand, who volleyed home. A handball by James Chambers allowed Harewood to score with a penalty, with a late spotkick from Heidar Helguson pulling a goal back for Watford. Last season West Ham also reached the playoffs, losing out to Crystal Palace in the final after beating Ipswich over a two-legged semi-final. At the start of Sunday, West Ham and Reading had been tied on 70 points and were level on goal difference. With so much to play for Alan Pardew's side were quickly on the offensive, Shaun Newton's fierce drive from the edge of Watford's penalty box fizzing inches wide after just four minutes. West Ham' s play visibly relaxed as news filtered around Vicarage Road that Wigan had scored twice against Reading early in the first half. But the opening goal continued to elude the visitors, helped in part by some wayward finishing. Bobby Zamora somehow scuffed wide a superbly-worked set-piece shortly after the half-hour mark, while Harewood forced Alec Chamberlain into a fine reflex save from close range. Finally three minutes before the break West Ham made the breakthrough. Ward chipped the ball into a packed penalty area for Ferdinand to let fly with a well-executed volley that angled into the corner of the net via a slight deflection. Chambers' handball allowed Harewood to slot home from the spot, prompting huge celebrations from West Ham's 4,000 travelling supporters. In the 87th minute Tomas Repka fouled Helguson to give away a penalty, the Icelander dusting himself down to convert the spotkick. West Ham and Ipswich will meet at Upton Park in the first-leg of their semi-final on the weekend of 14 and 15 May. West Ham were relegated from the Premiership in May 2003.

Pardew confident of mental edge
Boss Alan Pardew believes West Ham hold a psychological edge going into the play-offs over an Ipswich side who missed out on automatic promotion. Pardew said: "Psychologically it's a blow for Ipswich and they have to pick themselves up this week. "I don't care too much about the criticism we've received, a lot of clubs would like to be where we are. "My experience of the play-offs is that you can't read anything into it, but we go to Ipswich with a full squad."

West Ham 2-2 Ipswich
Ipswich came from two goals down to earn a draw at Upton Park in the first leg of their play-off tie. Shefqi Kuqi equalised from close range after a mix-up between keeper Jimmy Walker and defender Anton Ferdinand. Marlon Harewood had put West Ham ahead from five yards before Bobby Zamora's strike doubled the lead. Ipswich pulled one back when Tommy Miller's free-kick went in off goalkeeper Walker after hitting the wall and the base of the post. West Ham dominated large periods of the game and Ipswich will be relieved to go into the second leg at Portman Road on level terms. Ipswich boss Joe Royle lasted just 18 minutes in the stand before making his way to the touchline to try and curb West Ham's early dominance. Alan Pardew's team were first to every ball and played like a team for whom there was no such thing as a lost cause as they threatened to take the tie away from Ipswich. The Hammers' opener had come after seven minutes, Zamora's flick-on setting Matthew Etherington free down the left before crossing for Harewood to score. Ipswich were furious not to be awarded a foul in the build-up when Harewood appeared to tangle with his marker Richard Naylor as he made his way into the penalty area. But if West Ham were in any way fortunate with their opener there was no doubt about the second. Etherington again cut down the left, comfortably outpacing Drissa Diallo, before his low cross broke to Zamora for the striker to slot home his 99th career goal. Davis saved from Harewood while Jason de Vos handled on the edge of the Ipswich area but the infringement went unnoticed by referee Uriah Rennie. More crisp interplay from the Hammers - with Etherington at the centre of everything - gifted an opening to Zamora, but he scuffed his shot. On the stroke of half-time, however, Ipswich scored a fortuitous goal. The match was stressful for Pardew Tomas Repka was harshly booked for a challenge on Kuqi and from the subsequent free-kick the ball eventually went in off the leg of goalkeeper Walker. Town, with Darren Currie and Matt Richard replacing the ineffective Diallo and Kevin Horlock at the break, enjoyed a lot more possession at the start of the second-half. And Kuqi should have scored from a corner but made poor contact with his header. But West Ham continued to threaten and Etherington went close with a free-kick, while Ferdinand was denied by an unbelievable one-handed save from Davis. The importance of Davis' crucial save was put in stark perspective when Hammers keeper Walker and Ferdinand both went for the same ball with 14 minutes left. The ball dropped obligingly at the feet of Kuqi, who equalised from short range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Ham: Walker, Repka, Ferdinand, Ward, Powell, Reo-Coker, Newton (Rebrov 86), Mullins, Etherington, Zamora (Noble 76), Harewood. Subs Not Used: Bywater, Fletcher, Dailly. Booked: Repka, Etherington. Goals: Harewood 7, Zamora 13. Ipswich: Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Diallo (Currie 45), Naylor, Magilton, Miller, Horlock (Richards 45), Westlake, Bent, Kuqi. Subs Not Used: Price, Counago, Bowditch. Booked: Wilnis, Naylor. Goals: Walker 45 og, Kuqi 74. Att: 33,723 Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).

Royle feels a sense of injustice
Ipswich manager Joe Royle said he felt a sense of "injustice" after his side were knocked out of the Championship play-offs by West Ham. They lost 4-2 on aggregate after Bobby Zamora's double in Wednesday's 2-0 win. Royle said: "To have finished third in the table and to have gone out, there's an injustice but that is the format. "I think the play-off system is wrong but that's not a complaint. I think West Ham's bit of extra class up front made the difference." Ipswich finished 12 points above the Hammers in the Championship this season. But Royle added: "If I'm honest, they've probably got better players than us. Our lads have climbed mountains to get here and I won't criticise them. "I looked at them in the dressing room and they are crestfallen but they've not let anyone down at all. "I've told the lads to go away and forget it. We've got six weeks and then we go again. I'm disappointed but these lads have let no-one down." Royle singled out goalkeeper Kelvin Davis and Jason de Vos for praise after the two legs of the semi-final. But he admitted there might be changes before the start of next season. "They players have now got a six-week break and we will see what transpires as to who will be here and who will not," said Royle.

Ipswich 0-2 West Ham
West Ham win 4-2 on aggregate Portman Road photos Ipswich match reaction West Ham match reaction Bobby Zamora struck twice to send West Ham into the Championship play-off final for the second successive season. Zamora broke the deadlock on the hour when he tapped home Marlon Harewood's cross from inside the six-yard box. And the pair linked up brilliantly 11 minutes later when Harewood's perfect long pass was met by Zamora, who sent a cushioned volley past Kelvin Davis. West Ham dominated a poor Ipswich side, who fell at the same stage against the same opponents last season. Ipswich started brightly, but West Ham took control as the game went on, with Matthew Etherington influential. Darren Currie had Ipswich's best opportunities with a shot straight at James Walker, then a long-range drive 10 minutes before the interval which the goalkeeper hopelessly misjudged but fumbled to safety. Etherington was tormenting Ipswich, and as in the first leg, he was on the receiving end of some heavy treatment, with Ian Westlake booked for a late tackle. Tomas Repka was providing a threat down the right flank, and Ipswich goalkeeper Davis needed treatment after he took a powerful cross full in the face. And Repka almost helped West Ham break the deadlock seconds after the break when Fabian Wilnis deflected his cross inches wide of his own goal. West Ham were pressing again, and Davis needed to dive full length to save from Nigel Reo-Coker after he ran deep into Ipswich territory. The Hammers took a deserved lead on the hour through Zamora. Harewood escaped the attentions of Matt Richards far too easily, and sent in an inviting cross for Zamora to score inside the six-yard box. Zamora was on target again 11 minutes later to push West Ham closer to Cardiff. Harewood created the goal brilliantly with a raking pass, but it still needed an expert volleyed finish from Zamora to complete the job. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ipswich: Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Richards, Currie, Magilton (Bowditch 75), Miller, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi. Subs Not Used: Price, Diallo, Horlock, Juan. Booked: Westlake. West Ham: Walker, Repka (Dailly 76), Ferdinand, Ward, Powell, Mullins, Fletcher, Reo-Coker, Etherington (Noble 89), Harewood, Zamora (Newton 79). Subs Not Used: Bywater, Rebrov. Booked: Harewood. Goals: Zamora 61, 72. Att: 30,010. Ref: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).

Hammers boss bids to make amends
West Ham manager Alan Pardew has pledged to make amends for last year's Championship play-off final defeat to Crystal Palace. The Hammers beat Ipswich 4-2 on aggregate after Bobby Zamora's brace in Wednesday's 2-0 victory. And Pardew said: "We went through disappointment last year. We didn't play as well as we would have liked in that final but hope to put that right. "This will be my third final, so I'm hoping it will be third time lucky." West Ham will now play either Preston or Derby in the final at the Millennium Stadium on 30 May, with the prize for the winning team a place in the Premiership, worth approximately £20m. Pardew added: "We are still carrying hurt from last year, and it did hurt because many people said we did not turn up for the game. "But we will prepare thoroughly, although we did that last year and lost but the one thing that pleased me about Wednesday night was the professionalism of the players. "If we play in the final like we did last night and add that professionalism and keep our heads, then we will win." Zamora separated the two sides after an hour with a tap-in from Marlon Harwood's cross. He then effectively wrapped up the tie 11 minutes later with a stunning left-foot volley, again from a Harewood cross. Pardew hinted that Zamora would start the final, despite the news that Teddy Sheringham, who has scored 21 goals this season, is expected to be fit. "I was so pleased for Bobby when he scored that special goal," said Pardew. "It gave us the breathing space towards the end but he has had as much criticism as I have and so I was thrilled with his performance tonight." The former Reading boss hailed the win over Ipswich as a "magic night" and described his players as "brilliant". But he also commiserated with rival Joe Royle, with whom he had a bust-up during the first leg at Upton Park. He said: "I didn't want to do anything to irritate Joe because he's a real gentleman and, if I did anything to cause him offence, I apologise. "I feel sorry for Ipswich going out because they had a fantastic season."

Fletcher eyes Premiership dream
West Ham and Wales midfielder Carl Fletcher is confident he can play a part in the club's Premiership future. With club chairman Terence Brown pledging £20m for team strengthening, Fletcher, 25, will fight for his place. "Everyone's revelling in the glory of going up, we're not wondering about next season," he told the Western Mail. "I've gone from League One to Wales duty and winning Premiership promotion, that's a massive step," added the £275,000 signing from Bournemouth. Fellow Welsh international Gavin Williams is also in the Hammers squad, but neither he nor Fletcher featured in Monday's 1-0 play-off final win over Preston. "I was bitterly disappointed not to play, but I just have to deal with it and look forward to next season," said Fletcher

Chairman in £20m Hammers pledge
West Ham chairman Terence Brown has pledged £20m to help keep the Hammers in the Premiership next season. Brown will make the money available this summer for boss Alan Pardew to use on transfers and salaries after the club's play-off win over Preston. "We came down two years ago with a £48m debt and had to make it £24m to manage it," he told the Sun newspaper. "Alan has worked through that. The manager has been fantastic. He has a lot of guts. I'm a big admirer." Brown also said he was committed to keeping the current crop of young talent at Upton Park. The board has come in for criticism over the manner in which a host of talented players left the club in recent seasons. England internationals Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe, Michael Carrick and Glen Johnson have all departed - and will all play for their their current Premiership clubs against the Hammers next season. "I'm angry when things go wrong," Brown said. "Our fans have carried on paying top money. They are fantastic. If they are let down, I understand their anger. "I'm just glad we have given them something back."

Blades bid for Helguson rejected
Sheffield United have had a bid in excess of £1m rejected for Watford's Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson. Sunderland have also had an offer turned down, and BBC Sport understands newly-promoted West Ham will now enter the race for the 27-year-old. Helguson, who scored 20 goals last season, moved to Vicarage Road for £1.5m in January 2000. West Ham's Sergei Rebrov, meanwhile, may be offered the chance to return to former club Dynamo Kiev. Kiev president Ihor Surkis confirmed to newspaper Komanda that the forward, who will be out of contract this summer, is training at Dynamo. Surkis said: "Rebrov is in Kiev and was allowed to train at Dynamo's training base. However, it's a bit early to speak about his transfer." Rebrov formed an explosive attacking partnership with Andriy Shevchenko at Dynamo in the late 1990s. Rebrov moved to Tottenham for £11m in 2000, but never really found his goalscoring touch at White Hart Lane, and moved on to Fenerbahce in Turkey before joining West Ham, who won promotion to the Premiership by defeating Preston 1-0 in the play-off final. West Ham are also contemplating making a move for another Icelandic international - Reading defender Ivar Ingimarsson. The Icelandic defender was watched by West Ham last season.

Repka offered new West Ham deal
Newly-promoted West Ham have offered defender Tomas Repka a new contract. The Czech republic star was set to leave Upton Park, but with the Hammers back in the Premiership, they can afford to keep the 31-year-old. He said: "I thought I had played my last game for West Ham but the saying 'never say never' is true in my case." Repka has a year left on his current deal and added: "That's why I can't eliminate staying at the club. If they satisfy my demands I will stay."

Dailly signs new Hammers contract
Scotland defender Christian Dailly, 31, has signed a new deal to play for West Ham in the Premiership next season. Dailly, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, told the club's website: "Winning promotion makes signing a new contract more special. "But I always said that I'd play for West Ham in any division, and now I'm just looking forward to getting into pre-season and starting injury-free. "West Ham is a Premiership club and it's great to be back there again."

Sheringham re-signs for Hammers
West Ham striker Teddy Sheringham is set to play in the Premiership as a 40-year-old after signing a new one-year contract with the club. Sheringham joined West Ham a year ago after being released by Portsmouth. He scored 20 Championship goals to help the Hammers reach the play-offs though he was on the bench for the final in the 1-0 win over Preston. Sheringham, 39, told the West Ham website: "It's a great opportunity to be playing Premiership football again." During a career spanning 20 years Sheringham has also played for Millwall, Nottingham Forest, Manchester United and Spurs, who he had two spells with. He also won 51 England caps and was a key figure in Terry Venables' side that reached the Euro 96 semi-finals. When he was at Manchester United he won the Premiership, the Champions League and FA Cup with in a distinguished career that has spanned more than 20 years. "It was a dream of mine when I arrived to help the club get back into the Premier League and achieving that in my first season was amazing," Sheringham added. "The celebrations at the end of the season were incredible and I felt lucky to be a part of that. Now I'm looking forward to playing back in the top-flight with West Ham." The oldest player to have featured in a Premiership game was goalkeeper John Burridge who was 43 years and five months old when he played for Manchester City against QPR in May 1995. Sheringham will turn 40 next April.

Ferdinand sale rumours rejected
West Ham have rejected claims that defender Anton Ferdinand could be on his way to Liverpool for £3m. The 20-year-old was a key figure in a run of one loss in 13 games that led to the club returning to the Premiership. "These rumours are utter nonsense," West Ham's legal director Scott Duxbury told the club website. "He was a vital part of the side that won promotion and our aim is to now build on that side and take the club forward on the pitch." Ferdinand is looking forward to the challenge of playing for West Ham in the top flight. "The squad are really up for it and hopefully I can just pick up from where I left off at the end of last season," he said. "I always said that the more games I played the more confident I would become - and that is how it was at the end of the season." The club have also confirmed that Reading's club sports scientist Niall Clark has moved to Upton Park. Clark spent five years at Reading, handling the fitness and nutrition of the first team squad, as well as dealing with training schedules and injury rehabilitation.

Carroll completes West Ham move
Newly-promoted West Ham have completed the signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll. Hammers boss Alan Pardew said he was delighted to sign the Northern Ireland international, 27, ahead of his side's first season back in the Premiership. "I believe Roy's best years are ahead of him," he told West Ham's website. "When a club is re-introduced to the Premier League, as we are, goalkeeper is an essential position. Roy brings all the qualities we need." Pardew also promised there would be more new faces at Upton Park before the start of the season. "This will be the first of what I hope will be three or four more signings to strengthen the team for the challenge ahead." Carroll began his career with Hull in 1995 and was signed by Wigan for £350,000 in 1997. He made 135 league appearances for the Latics before moving to Old Trafford for £2.5m in July 2001. He went on to make more than 70 appearances for United, but endured a difficult final season, making several high-profile blunders. He infamously dropped Pedro Mendes' long-range lob behind the goal line against Spurs on 4 January - getting away with it because of an error by match officials. He then fumbled a shot for Hernan Crespo to grab a crucial winner for AC Milan in the Champions League first leg at Old Trafford.

Blades warn Hammers off Jagielka
Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock has warned West Ham that midfielder Phil Jagielka is not for sale. The Blades' boss insists no approach from the promoted Hammers has been made, and he would not welcome one. Warnock told the Sheffield Star: "We've made it clear we don't want to sell him, and that remains our position. "Phil has assured me he's happy here and wants to stay and it would take some extraordinary - in fact ridiculous - bid for us to reconsider." Jagielka has made more than 200 appearances for the Blades and is rated as one of the brightest prospects in the Championship. But Warnock accepts Sheffield United may find it hard to cling on to Jagielka if they cannot provide him with Premiership football. Warnock said: "I'm not daft, I realise that if we don't get into the Premiership and stay there we probably won't be able to keep hold of him for ever."

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