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Hammer horror: West Ham's Carlton Cole reacts to fans during a pitch invasion after a penalty goal against Millwall - Source: Reuters -
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Hammer horror at Upton Park
An ugly face of football that was thought to be well in the past made a return this week after violence erupted during a West Ham v Millwall second round Carling Cup clash.
The incident - reminiscent of the dark days of the 1970s - occurred after West Ham fought from 1-0 down to beat their fierce neighbourhood rivals 3-1.
A Junior Stanislas double ensured the Hammers did not suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of the League Two side, but that was all forgotten as fans surged onto the pitch and fighting - thought to be organised by 'supporters' on the internet before the clash - flared outside.
With the history between fans of these two sides (inspiration for the 2005 Green Street Hooligans) one wonders why this clash was even allowed to go ahead, thoughts echoed by former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp.
Redknapp has called for the two sides NOT to meet in Cup clashes EVER AGAIN , while the main aim of the FA's swift investigation into the events at Upton Park seems to be to do as much damage limitation as possible so not to harm England's 2018 World Cup bid.
Wenger's 'selective' vision returns
In another contentious clash, Arsenals Eduardo was branded a DIVER and a CHEAT by Celtic on Thursday after the recently returned hitman was said to have dived during his sides Champions League play-off at the Emirates.
The Croatian, who got the home side on their way to a 3-1 win (5-1 agg) over the Bhoys to see the Londoners make the group stages of the European Cup, was seen to fall dramatically in the box, despite TV replays showing no contact had been made as he tried to get past Celtic keeper Artur Boruc.
BUT ever the optimist Arsene Wenger claimed after the clash that
Eduardo DID NOT dive but went down to try and avoid Boruc's
challenge as he is still haunted by the horrific leg break he
suffered 18 months ago.
Speaking of the Champions League, the big four breathed a sigh of relief on Friday after they all avoided playing Real Madrid (AC Milan has the joy of that group).
With a bit of travelling involved, United look like they may have the toughest of the bunch, while Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have lined up the usual suspects.
Reds feel blue
And on the Red half of Merseyside things are looking bleak for Liverpool in the Premier League.
After losing two of their three opening games (the same amount lost during the WHOLE of last season) fans hopes of the side winning their first Premier League title in 20-years are looking increasingly unlikely as Lucas and Voronin still play for the club.
The loss to Aston Villa on Tuesday has also put boss Rafa Benitez as odds on favourite to the be the first Premier League boss to be clearing his desk this season after British bookies slashed the odds on the Spaniard.
Odds are out on just who would replace Benitez should the
goateed one leave Liverpool, but since Jose Mourinho (whose Inter
side crashed to defeat in their first Serie A game of the season)
seems to have or have not made it his mission in life to insult
EVERYONE who is a bit Italian, or
partakes in Ramadam it wouldn't be a major
surprise to see the 'Special One' make a return to the
English game some time soon.
Lescott 'over the moon'
Meanwhile in transfer news Manchester City FINALLY landed Everton defender Joleon Lescott in a reported 22 million pound deal.
Lescott is said to be 'over the moon' with the deal, which brings an end to one of the most painful transfers of the summer season and will now see the England international line-up with Adebayor, Toure, Tevez, Barry and er, Santa Cruz.
He also hit out at former boss David Moyes, saying he moved to a team who finished in tenth place last season because Everton could never help him realise his Champions League dreams.
Meanwhile, Moyes is said to unhappy that (even though he denied two bids and a transfer request) the deal took SO LONG to sort but is now a bit more happy while splashing the Lescott cash.
But even though City have spent over 200 million pounds in the last 12 months, don't expect the cashed-up club to stop there.
Mark Hughes, manager of the club who are continuing to single handily ruin English football as we know it, has been told by the sides Arab owners that he can have ANYONE he wants before the end of the transfer season, and can also look forward to another 100 million to throw at unsuspecting targets in January.
AND FINALLY
Just when you thought those "vuvuzela" trumpets at the Confederations Cup were annoying enough, check out just what someone could be blocking YOUR VIEW with at next years World Cup!
HAVE YOUR SAY: What were your best and
worst moments of the Football week that Was?
Add a Comment:
Post new commentTimmo said on 2009-09-18 @ 14:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
No mention of Peterborough United's gutsy 1-1 draw away at Leicester? 3 games without defeat for the posh, sadly 7 games withouta win, but hey, silver linings and all that