West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

A dull match against Blackburn at Ewood Park sprang into life in the second half after Dean Ashton, who had replaced Mathew Etherington at the start of the second half, fired home the rebound of a George McCartney cross to seal the points and earn Hammers their fourth Premiership away victory of the season. Mark Hughes is no mug and has been touted as a candidate for England manager, he usually sends out a well organised and resourceful team, but they must have had an off day, even a second half cameo appearance by 'Lily' Savage failed to lift them! The home side did exert some early pressure and they were more comfortable on the ball, but with the exception of a shot from Dunne that grazed the bar and a pile driver from Tugay that veered away from goal when it seemed to have beaten Robert Green, Blackburn didn't really pose too much of a threat to a resilient Hammers defence and a combative midfield ably marshalled by Scotty Parker. After the re-start Dean Ashton scored his goal and Rovers keeper Brad Friedel kept out a Luis Boa-Morte strike to keep his side in the game, but Roque Santa Cruz spurned two great chances by heading wide and blazing high over the bar at the other end. Deano should have sealed it late on only to sidefoot high and Luis Boa-Morte fired over when he could have put the game to bed but Hammers held on, despite a late Blackburn rally which saw Tugay have another rasping shot that was well saved by Rob Green. Lucas Neill was booed every time he touched the ball but walked off with his head held high, there is no better way to stuff the words down supporters throats than to leave with a victory. The whole of the defence impressed, with Danny Gabbidon returning to form and Mathew Upson steadily looking the business, and of course George McCartney was imperious. Carlton Cole ran himself ragged as usual and Luis Boa Morte did put the Rovers defence under a lot off pressure. All in all an unexpected and welcome win, the joy of which will be tempered by a quick glance at the fixture table between now and the 3rd of January 2008! - Ed MATCH STATS: Possession Blackburn 52% West Ham 48% Teams: Blackburn * 01 Friedel * 07 Emerton * 04 Samba * 02 Ooijer (yellow card) * 03 Warnock * 19 Dunn (70 Reid ) * 15 Mokoena (45 Savage ) * 05 Kerimoglu * 12 Pedersen (76 Roberts ) * 09 Santa Cruz * 10 McCarthy Substitutes * 32 Brown, * 08 Savage, * 14 Reid, * 27 Derbyshire, * 30 Roberts West Ham * 01 Green * 02 Neill * 04 Gabbidon * 06 Upson * 03 McCartney * 15 Solano (76 Spector ) * 08 Parker * 17 Mullins * 11 Etherington (45 Ashton ) * 12 Cole (yellow card) (88 Camara ) * 34 Boa Morte Substitutes * 21 Wright,(not used) * 09 Ashton, * 16 Noble, (not used) * 18 Spector, * 33 Camara Ref: Alan Wiley Att: 20870