West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

This match had everything except for 3 points, time and fixtures are definitely running out for Alan Curbishley to turn things around. Things started as if there had been a multiple and collective running over of black cats by wearers of the Claret and Blue as first James Collins, and then Carlos Tevez went off injured early on, Tevez's replacement Bobby Zamora was extremely unfortunate to be sent off on 76 minutes after a misstimed sliding challenge that bore no malice or intent. Zamora's joy at scoring his first goal since September, which also brought the side level following Radzinski's opener, was tempered by his absence during the remaining crucial minutes of what was a must win tie. Despite dominating the early exchanges Hammers found themselves a goal down as Radzinski got in the way of Helguson's header and diverted it past Carroll and into the net. If Zamora was able to score goals similar to the equaliser on a regular basis then the debate would be about future visits to Europe instead of Hull and Leeds, he showed strength, power and a superb clinical finish to tuck the ball under the advancing keeper. 12 seconds after the restart, Yossi Benayoun put Hammers ahead with an exquisite chip and it seemed that the floodgates would open, as Fulham were being over run, but it speaks volumes for Chris Coleman's motivational skills that his team were able to withstand the pressure and draw level through McBride. However, when Yossi took advantage of some key stone cops defending and kept his feet after rounding the keeper to poke home, it seemed the victory was sealed, that was until 'Z' Man was sent off for his second yellow card and 'Poll Pot' found an amazing 5 minutes of extra time, during which an unmarked Christanval found himself in front of goal with the ball at his feet and smacked the ball past Carroll (why was he playing instead of Green?)to earn his side a draw. To make matters even worse, as if they could be, Danny Gabbidon limped off towards the end. Alan Pardew's questionable policy of selling Elliot Ward and Carl Fletcher has come back to haunt Hammers. On the basis of yesterday's performance there was much to laud, the team ethic was much much better, but it may well end up being too little too late. - Ed Post Match Comments Alan Curbishely: "We were 2-1 and 3-2 up after falling behind and we have lost two more injured players - now this draw feels more like another defeat. "Although we had gone down to 10 men I thought we would still get the three points. We were desperate for them after the run we have had but we looked in trouble whenever set-pieces went into our box, but I can have no complaints about the commitment of the team. Their heads were on the floor after the late equaliser and that is a good sign - far better than at Reading (a 6-0 defeat)." Fulham manager Chris Coleman: "To be honest, we played well on the day and I think the equaliser we got was the least we deserved from the game. "Sometimes it can be hard to play against 10 men and I think Zamora's sending-off helped them more than us because it upset our rhythm and they responded by putting players behind the ball. "But we kept fighting and, in our opinion, Vincenzo Montella has had a stonewall penalty turned down, so to get a point is reward for our efforts." West Ham: Carroll, Dailly, Collins (Spector 11), Gabbidon (Newton 81), McCartney, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Quashie, Boa Morte, Cole, Tevez (Zamora 13). Subs Not Used: Green, Mullins. Sent Off: Zamora (76). Booked: Reo-Coker, Zamora, Cole. Goals: Zamora 28, Benayoun 46, 64. Fulham: Lastuvka, Rosenior, Christanval, Bocanegra, Queudrue, Routledge, Volz, Brown, Radzinski, McBride, Helguson (Montella 67). Subs Not Used: Warner, Runstrom, Pearce, Omozusi. Booked: Christanval, Queudrue, Rosenior, Helguson, Bocanegra, Routledge. Goals: Radzinski 16, McBride 59, Christanval 90. Att: 34,977 Ref: G Poll Pot (bastido) (Hertfordshire).