WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1994-95 FA Carling Premiership
Manager: Harry Redknapp
There was a shock just before the season began as manager Billy Bonds resigned and assistant Harry Redknapp was installed as the club’s eighth manager. After a poor pre-season the Hammers found it tough, and after five games without a win and only one goal scored the team were nineteenth. Midfielder Don Hutchison was signed for a club record fee of £1.5 million and for extra goal power former striker Tony Cottee was brought back from Everton. Cottee scored on his home debut in the 1–0 win against Aston Villa and his homecoming inspired further victories in the London derbies against Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Further good news came when Julian Dicks, the fans’ favourite, was transferred back to West Ham from Liverpool.
In the League Cup Walsall were beaten 3–2 on aggregate, which set up a home tie with Chelsea where an inspired display from goalkeeper Miklosko and a goal from Hutchison saw the west London team beaten 1–0. November was a poor month, with three 1–0 defeats in the league followed by a 3–1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup. The big Dutchman Jeroen Boere was brought in to partner Cottee and it was his two goals that earned a 2–2 draw at Leeds United. Cottee was then on target with a hat-trick in the 3–0 home win against Manchester City. Redknapp made two more signings when buying midfielder Michael Hughes and the Danish defender Marc Rieper.
A difficult FA Cup tie at Wycombe Wanderers was won 2–0 but the Hammers went out in the next round after losing 1–0 at Queens Park Rangers. By early March the team were in relegation trouble, but in an excellent run there were only two defeats in the remaining 13 games. In that spell Arsenal were beaten 1–0 at Highbury, there was a 2–0 win at Aston Villa and a 2–0 home win over champions-elect Blackburn Rovers. The final two home games brought a 3–0 win against Liverpool and a 1–1 draw with Manchester United that ended the Reds’ title hopes.
Media Release
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
1994-95 FA Carling Premiership
Manager: Harry Redknapp
West Ham United’s 1994/95 Premier League campaign unfolded as a season of turbulence, transition, and ultimately survival, marked by moments of promise and periods of real anxiety.
The story began before a ball was kicked, when long serving manager Billy Bonds was unexpectedly dismissed amid fears that Harry Redknapp, then assistant manager, might be tempted back to Bournemouth. Redknapp’s promotion set the tone for a year in which West Ham were constantly adjusting - tactically, emotionally, and structurally - as the club sought stability in a rapidly evolving Premier League landscape.
Media Release
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
After a poor pre-season the Hammers found it tough, and after five games without a win and only one goal scored the team were nineteenth. Midfielder Don Hutchison was signed for a club record fee of £1.5 million and for extra goal power former striker Tony Cottee was brought back from Everton. Cottee scored on his home debut in the 1–0 win against Aston Villa and his homecoming inspired further victories in the London derbies against Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Further good news came when Julian Dicks, the fans’ favourite, was transferred back to West Ham from Liverpool.
In the League Cup Walsall were beaten 3–2 on aggregate, which set up a home tie with Chelsea where an inspired display from goalkeeper Miklosko and a goal from Hutchison saw the west London team beaten 1–0. November was a poor month, with three 1–0 defeats in the league followed by a 3–1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup. The big Dutchman Jeroen Boere was brought in to partner Cottee and it was his two goals that earned a 2–2 draw at Leeds United. Cottee was then on target with a hat-trick in the 3–0 home win against Manchester City. Redknapp made two more signings when buying midfielder Michael Hughes and the Danish defender Marc Rieper.
A difficult FA Cup tie at Wycombe Wanderers was won 2–0 but the Hammers went out in the next round after losing 1–0 at Queens Park Rangers. By early March the team were in relegation trouble, but in an excellent run there were only two defeats in the remaining 13 games. In that spell Arsenal were beaten 1–0 at Highbury, there was a 2–0 win at Aston Villa and a 2–0 home win over champions-elect Blackburn Rovers. The final two home games brought a 3–0 win against Liverpool and a 1–1 draw with Manchester United that ended the Reds’ title hopes.
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
0 - 0
20 August 1994
Att: 18,610
Miklosko
Breacker
Burrows
Potts (ADRIAN WHITBREAD)
Martin
Allen M.
Bishop
Butler
Morley
Chapman
Holmes (Marsh)
West Ham survived a second half grilling in this opening day encounter. New boss Harry Redknapp was certainly relieved to hear the final whistle which brought down the curtain on his first 90 minutes in the hot seat.
"That second half must have lasted two hours," he said as he wiped his brow. "We worked hard, but Leeds just took over after the break and they looked very dangerous." But, ironically, after putting a traumatic pre-season behind them, it was West Ham who might have got their noses in front by the interval. Matt Holmes sent a 20-yarder rasping into the side-netting after Palmer foiled Morley, and only a superb 44th minute save by Lukic prevented Martin Allen from opening the scoring.
The impotent Hammers' attack, however, caused Leeds few problems, and it was the Yorkshiremen who went on to create a whole host of chances during the second period. Wetherall went close with a couple of headers, and on the hour Alvin Martin escaped with a mere booking after dragging back the pacy Wallace. "I thought he might have gone," admitted a relieved Redknapp afterwards. Right-back Gary Kelly was a continual threat with a series of dangerous overlaps, while the clumsy Deane volleyed skywards, hit the post and was also denied by Ludo.
MANCHESTER CITY
Maine Road
0 - 3
24 August 1994
Att: 19,150
Miklosko
Breacker
Burrows
Potts
Martin
Allen M.
Bishop
Butler (Whitbread)
Morley
Chapman (Marsh)
Holmes
The Hammers took a battering at Maine Road against Manchester City. The tricky Peter Beagrie was in destructive mood as he teased and tormented West Ham all night. An early lunge on the City winger by Breacker earned the Hammers' defender a harsh yellow card, and that was the signal for Beagrie to run riot.
On 15 minutes, he collected his short corner back from Phelan and pinged over a centre which Walsh headed past the diving Miklosko from six yards. And after Morley had an effort hoofed off the line, the Hammers' striker saw a header come crashing back off the post. West Ham's mini revival was short-lived, though, and on the stroke of half time, Beagrie fired home City's second from 20 yards.
Bishop and Morley both went close against their old club after the interval, but on the hour Rosler pounced to put the game totally beyond Hammers, when Ludo failed to hold another stinging 20-yarder from that man Beagrie.
NORWICH CITY
Carrow Road
0 - 1
27 August 1994
Att: 19,110
Miklosko
Breacker
Burrows
Potts
Martin
Allen M.
Bishop
JOHN MONCUR
Jones
Marsh (Whitbread)
Rowland (Chapman)
West Ham trudged out of Carrow Road flat, frustrated and still goalless after three Premiership games, the home crowd’s chants of “What a load of rubbish” echoing behind them. Four changes followed the Maine Road mauling, but even that shake‑up failed to spark a side stuck in first gear. Redknapp had hoped a more adventurous midfield would inject urgency, yet the lack of creativity only deepened his disappointment.
Neither team had scored all season, but with new £800,000 signing Mike Sheron watching on, Norwich’s Robins and Ekoku needed no extra incentive, both sliding early efforts wide as debutant John Moncur tried in vain to knit West Ham together. Recalled ahead of Chapman, Steve Jones carried the burden of ending the drought, forcing Gunn into a sharp save after ten minutes and bursting clear again before the break, only for Bradshaw’s perfectly timed tackle to deny him.
Chances for Jones were scarce, and Norwich increasingly looked the likelier side. The introduction of Akinbiyi on the hour proved decisive: within four minutes he escaped Potts and whipped in a low cross. Mikloško parried Robins’ first effort, but the striker - who’d already had a header ruled out - slammed in the rebound from ten yards. West Ham never mustered a response, and the final whistle confirmed another goalless, joyless afternoon in a season still waiting to ignite.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
1 - 3 (Hutchison 87' [pen])
31 August 1994
Att: 17,375
Miklosko
Breacker
Burrows
Potts
Martin
Allen M. (Jones)
Moncur
Butler
DON HUTCHISON
Marsh
Holmes
Don Hutchinson’s West Ham debut was overshadowed by the ruthless Andy Cole, who had a hand in all three Newcastle goals as the Magpies moved top of the Premiership. Eager to prove a point after being left out of England’s squad, Cole dictated the night from start to finish.
Despite a third defeat in four games, Redknapp drew some encouragement from his side’s effort and the chances they created, feeling their commitment remained strong even as results faltered.
Hutchinson’s arrival energised West Ham early on, and they pressed Newcastle back during a lively opening spell. But Cole soon warned of what was to come, sending a sharp volley onto the roof of Mikloško’s net. On the half‑hour he outwitted Alvin Martin, his low cross-shot diverted into the net by Steve Potts. Minutes later, his angled pass behind Moncur and Burrows allowed Lee to slide in a second.
Butler worked tirelessly and, along with Hutchinson, forced Smicek into good saves. Substitute Steve Jones then produced a chaotic cameo — briefly knocked out, booked, and involved again when Marsh struck the bar and his follow‑up cross hit Beresford’s hand. Hutchinson converted the penalty, finally giving West Ham their first goal of the season. Yet Cole still had the final say, breaking forward moments later and squaring unselfishly for Mathie to tap in Newcastle’s third.
LIVERPOOL
Upton Park
0 - 0
10 September 1994
Att: 30,907
Miklosko
Breacker
Rowland
Potts
Martin
Allen M.
Moncur
Butler
Cottee
Marsh
Rush
Tony Cottee returned to Anfield in triumph but departed in disgrace, sent off just ten minutes into the second half. Yet West Ham, down to ten men for almost an entire half, produced a defiant, disciplined display to end Liverpool’s perfect start with a gritty goalless draw.
Liverpool had dominated early on, McManaman carving out several chances before West Ham’s five‑man midfield began to steady the ship. Butler, Moncur and Marsh fought tirelessly, and the visitors even threatened themselves: Allen glanced a Breacker cross wide, and James twice had to race out to deny Cottee and Rush. Moments after the break, Allen came close again with a low angled effort that curled inches wide.
Then came the turning point. Cottee burst onto Butler’s through‑ball, tumbled under Jones’ challenge, and saw appeals waved away. Frustration spilled over, and his rash lunge on Jones left the referee with no choice but to dismiss him - a moment Redknapp later acknowledged had left his side facing a long, punishing spell with ten men.
Liverpool pushed hard. Fowler struck the bar, Jones and Redknapp sent long‑range efforts just over, and Mikloško produced a superb save to deny Bjørnebye. Barnes then cracked the base of the post with a fierce 30‑yarder. Yet West Ham still found the odd break, and Rush might have created something had he squared to the unmarked Moncur. In the end, it was West Ham who almost stole it. Moncur’s late drive forced James into a brilliant save, sealing a goalless draw earned through sheer resilience.
ASTON VILLA
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Cottee 86')
17 September 1994
Att: 18,326
Miklosko
Breacker
Rowland
Potts
Martin
Allen M.
Moncur
Butler (Chapman)
Cottee
Marsh
Rush
Tony Cottee put the memory of his Anfield dismissal firmly behind him, marking his Upton Park return with a cool late winner. Aston Villa, meanwhile, were left ruing a string of wasted opportunities, their manager reflecting afterwards that his side had passed up far too many chances to complain about the outcome.
Villa threatened early, Mikloško only just recovering to clutch Staunton’s fierce drive on the line, while Houghton, Ehiogu and Yorke all went close. West Ham, though, carved out openings of their own: Marsh chesting down smartly before skimming the post, and Bosnich producing a superb reflex stop to deny Cottee’s point‑blank header.
Chapman’s introduction at half‑time added bite to West Ham’s attack, but Villa’s substitute Dalian Atkinson proved just as dangerous. His surging 82nd‑minute run should have produced the breakthrough, only for Fashanu to hesitate and Mikloško to bravely smother at his feet - a miss that would soon haunt the visitors.
Four minutes from time, Rush combined neatly with Breacker on the right, and Cottee - as if he had never been away - swept the decisive finish past Bosnich from eight yards. It was a trademark moment of composure, and fittingly, Cottee had the final say on a night when West Ham’s resilience and his own sharp instincts made all the difference.
WALSALL : Coca-Cola Cup (Second Round 1st-leg)
Bescot Stadium
1 - 2 (Ntamark 42' [og])
20 September 1994
Att: 5,994
Miklosko
Breacker
Rowland
Potts
Martin
Allen M. (Whitbread)
Moncur
Hutchison
Cottee
Marsh
Rush (Chapman)
A shell‑shocked Harry Redknapp could only fume after West Ham’s humiliating Coca‑Cola Cup defeat at a rain‑soaked Bescot. “You can’t be happy when you come and get beat at Walsall, can you?” he snapped — and his mood matched a flat, lifeless Hammers display against a Third Division side who sparkled from first whistle to last.
Buoyed by their biggest win in six years and eager to impress new boss Chris Nicholl, Walsall dominated the early stages. Mikloško brilliantly turned O’Connor’s solo effort behind, only to pick the ball out of his net seconds later when Marsh’s corner was flicked on and Watkiss slid in at the far post.
West Ham were gifted a bizarre equaliser on 41 minutes when Ntamark intercepted Hutchison’s back‑heel and inexplicably lashed the ball past his own keeper. Cottee then rounded Wood in stoppage time but struck the post from a tight angle.
Hutchison and Marsh threatened early in the second half, but the revival fizzled out and on 73 minutes another own goal settled the tie — Marsh’s low cross forcing Potts, stretching desperately, to toe‑poke past Mikloško. Chapman’s introduction sparked a late bombardment, yet Walsall held firm to claim a famous win. A night to forget — and one Redknapp will have wished he could have abandoned long before the final whistle.
ARSENAL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
George Graham raised an eyebrow at West Ham starting with only Lee Chapman up front, though Harry Redknapp insisted Marsh and Holmes made it a front three. In truth, the Hammers could have fielded ten forwards and still struggled to breach Arsenal’s superbly drilled defence. Eleven unanswered corners told the story: plenty of pressure, no breakthrough.
Without the suspended Cottee, Redknapp admitted the task became mountainous once Tony Adams headed Arsenal ahead on 17 minutes, nodding in after Smith flicked on Davis’ deep free‑kick. Moncur tried to spark a response, forcing Seaman into a low save, and Chapman’s improvised overhead kick drew a fingertip stop. But Arsenal carried the greater threat before the break, Smith twice going close and Schwarz wasting a golden chance to send Wright clear.
On 53 minutes the Gunners tightened their grip. Merson delivered a perfect cross and Wright’s looping header gave Arsenal a cushion West Ham never looked likely to dent. Still they pushed: Moncur bent one just wide and another just over, Hutchison fired inches high, and Chapman twice tested Seaman with firm headers.
Arsenal survived one scare when Hutchison’s crude two‑footer on Smith brought only a yellow, and Mikloško produced a brilliant late block to prevent a third. But the outcome never felt in doubt — a spirited effort undone by an opponent simply too well organised to crack.
CHELSEA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
John Moncur, who turned Chelsea down in the summer, rubbed salt into the wound by scoring the winner at Stamford Bridge. Without the suspended Cottee, West Ham were under early pressure from a Chelsea side chasing fifth place, and were fortunate when Barnes’ 20‑yarder deflected off Breacker and looped onto the bar. But Alvin Martin, gashed head and groin strain ignored, held the defence together with another timeless display.
Rush’s pace repeatedly unsettled Chelsea’s back line — even if his crossing didn’t — and the Hammers always looked one accurate centre away from troubling Kharine. Eight minutes after the break they struck: Moncur’s corner found Allen ghosting in to head home from six yards. Chapman and Rush both had chances to extend the lead before Chelsea levelled on the hour, Sinclair’s through‑ball causing confusion as Mikloško spilled under pressure from Shipperley, leaving Furlong to finish from ten yards.
West Ham’s reply was instant. Hutchison fed the excellent Moncur, who weaved into the box and drilled a low left‑footer for his first goal for the club. Marsh almost made it 3–1 when he rattled the bar, but a match played in good spirit was soured late on by referee Don’s harsh dismissal of Clarke.
WALSALL : Coca-Cola Cup (Second Round 2nd-leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Just three days after bagging the winner at Stamford Bridge, John Moncur capped another impressive display with the decisive goal that set up a third round clash ... with Chelsea.
Trailing 1-2 from the first leg, Hammers found the Upton Park return just as torturous, and although Chapman and Allen were just off target in the opening spell, the best chance of a flat first half fell to Walsall's Light bourne. Hammers finally fizzed into life on the hour, though, when Allen's cross was nodded on by Moncur and Hutchison hooked the ball home from close-range.
Now firmly in the driving seat, West Ham laid siege to the Saddlers' goal. But although Breacker, Chapman, Moncur and the recalled Bishop each tried to avoid the need for extra-time, the Third Division side survived the onslaught. Allen even had an 85th minute effort ruled out for offside, but for all their dominance the Premiership side nearly paid dearly in the dying moments as Mehew and O'Connor came close to pulling off a late shock.
In extra-time, however, there was only ever going to be one winner. And when Hutchison's blistering 20-yard drive rebounded off a post, Moncur followed up to put West Ham ahead for the first time in the tie.
Their margin of victory could have been even greater, but Marsh's clever lob struck a post, and then Wood acrobatically clawed away Hutchison's spectacular closing volley. Relieved to have made it to the third round, Harry Redknapp signed: "You're on a hiding to nothing in these sort of games."
CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham made it three wins from four thanks to Don Hutchison’s superb 72nd‑minute diving header, the decisive touch in a match they controlled from the outset. Driven on by the excellent Moncur, the Hammers always held the initiative against a Palace side who, fresh from their Highbury upset, paid for trying to repeat the same counter‑attacking blueprint. Potts’ pace and Martin’s experience snuffed out every break, leaving Armstrong and Salako running into dead ends all afternoon.
Breacker twice delivered dangerous early crosses, Martyn smothered Cottee’s nod‑down at Chapman’s feet, and Allen almost caught the keeper out with a clever chip. Palace’s only real scare came early in the second half when Ndah’s thumping header crashed off the post, prompting Rush to replace the ineffective Chapman.
With the game drifting towards stalemate, West Ham finally struck. Allen’s persistence released Rush, the ball broke kindly for Breacker on the overlap, and Hutchison hurled himself at the cross to score from six yards. Redknapp beamed afterwards, praising Hutchison’s finishing and ability, while quietly relieved to see Armstrong’s stoppage‑time header flash just wide.
A controlled, confident display — and a win earned with patience, pressure, and one moment of decisive quality.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
A catastrophic defensive mix‑up cost West Ham dearly at Old Trafford, gifting victory to a disjointed United side that Alex Ferguson later dismissed as “untidy.” Unchanged and buoyed by wins over Chelsea and Palace, the Hammers were desperately unlucky not to take something from the champions, who clearly had one eye on their looming European Cup clash with Barcelona.
For long spells the so‑called Theatre of Dreams slumbered, only jolted awake when Cantona briefly took charge midway through the first half. In a ten‑minute burst he created chances for Ince and twice for Hughes, before his touch inexplicably deserted him in the box. West Ham, operating with a five‑man midfield primed to counter, carved out openings of their own: Marsh and Rush both threatened, and Cottee outpaced Bruce only to be smothered by Schmeichel.
But in first‑half stoppage time came the decisive moment. Under pressure from Giggs, Martin sliced Kanchelskis’ cross into the air, lost sight of it, and with Mikloško hesitating over a possible back‑pass, Giggs nipped in to tee up Cantona for a simple finish.
The second half brought a torrid time for makeshift left‑back Sharpe, repeatedly exposed by Rush until Pallister arrived to help. United still threatened — Giggs rattled a post after Ince and Butt went close — but West Ham produced enough to earn a point. Marsh and Moncur tested Schmeichel, Hutchison saw strong penalty claims ignored, and Cottee twice burst clear, stumbling once and later watching Rush denied by the great Dane. In the dying seconds Schmeichel flung himself full‑length to keep out Allen and preserve a win United scarcely deserved.
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Julian Dicks’ return felt like a throwback to old Upton Park days, and his inevitable booking — earned after flattening former Hammer Paul Allen with a challenge “that would’ve floored a rhino” — stole the headlines. But his presence also galvanised West Ham, who matched Southampton in a lively first half before powering to a comfortable win after the break.
Despite missing Moncur and Hutchison, the Hammers were full of intent in the driving rain. Allen twice tested Beasant from distance, striking the bar with one skidding effort, while Le Tissier responded by curling a 20‑yarder against Mikloško’s post. Chapman, however, drew groans from the season’s biggest crowd by wasting three excellent chances.
Four minutes into the second half Allen showed how it should be done, calmly side‑footing home after Rush capitalised on Maddison’s slip. Paul Allen almost levelled the family scoreline with a clever lob that Breacker headed off the line, and Dowie - another ex‑Hammer - drove straight at Mikloško after earlier firing wide.
Those misses proved costly. Moments after Dicks’ trademark caution, Rush collected Cottee’s pass and drilled an unstoppable 10‑yard finish into the corner. Le Tissier nearly replied with a free‑kick destined for the top corner until Breacker again intervened, and in the dying minutes Cottee almost crowned Dicks’ homecoming with a delicate chip that beat Beasant but bounced off the bar. A night of nostalgia, needle, and ultimately a well‑earned victory.
CHELSEA : Coca-Cola Cup (Third Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
New signing Don Hutchison took just two minutes to score when he bent a low 20-yarder past Kharine. Chelsea came back well in the second-half but found Miklosko in top form. He saved well from Johnsen and Hopkin and on the hour his flying save from Wise must rank as one of his finest ever.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Ossie Ardiles looked a dead man walking by the time West Ham arrived at White Hart Lane, but Spurs’ star‑studded attack bought him a little more time as the Hammers failed to punish a fragile, eggshell‑thin defence. After 18 minutes Klinsmann eased the pressure on his manager, tapping in Barmby’s square pass after Dumitrescu’s probing run.
West Ham should have levelled on the half‑hour when Rush finally combined pace and power to deliver a fine cross, only for Allen to balloon over from six yards. Hutchison, Allen and Bishop all went close as the Hammers repeatedly exposed Spurs’ back five, and three minutes before the break Cottee released Marsh, whose by‑line run ended with Rush thumping in an eight‑yard left‑footer.
Just after the restart Cottee met Dicks’ near‑post cross but headed over — a miss that proved costly. Seconds later Klinsmann, already booked for a reckless lunge on Dicks, hooked the ball into the path of substitute Sheringham, who drove a low 20‑yard half‑volley beyond Mikloško. West Ham kept finding space behind Campbell, but Rush’s final ball repeatedly let him down.
At the other end Mikloško bravely denied Klinsmann, but on the hour he was helpless as Sheringham sent Barmby clean through to finish calmly. A day that might have toppled Ardiles instead became another tale of West Ham’s missed opportunities.
EVERTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham’s miserable week continued at Goodison Park as their injury‑hit side slipped to a second defeat in three days against another crisis‑ridden opponent. Everton finally claimed their first Premiership win of the season at the thirteenth attempt, buying Mike Walker a little more time - though he knew full well the Hammers created enough late chances to have ended his tenure there and then.
Booed off at half‑time, Everton broke through on 54 minutes when Jackson flicked on Durrani’s corner and Ablett stooped at the far post to head home. West Ham responded by throwing caution aside. Burrows was booked for tripping the lively Rush, Hutchison curled inches wide, and Ablett - once of Upton Park - scrambled Martin’s effort off the line. In stoppage time Martin’s luck deserted him again: Chapman’s volley crashed off the bar and the veteran defender could only nod the rebound over from point‑blank range, before being controversially booked for dissent.
Earlier, emergency right‑back Whitbread endured a torrid debut as Amokachi repeatedly drove at the Hammers’ defence, with Marsh hacking Watson’s header off the line to keep them level. Hutchison and Cottee also wasted good openings against a shaky Everton back line, but it was one of those nights - plenty of chances, no reward, and another opportunity allowed to slip away.
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Don Hutchison lit the fuse at Upton Park - and then blew himself up. The fiery midfielder was sent off after two reckless tackles on Philpott inside four chaotic minutes, earning an explosive post‑match blast from Harry Redknapp. “Hutch has got talent to burn,” the manager fumed, “but if he ain’t careful he’ll burn that out.”
Up to that point Hutchison had been West Ham’s driving force. Inside two minutes he forced Ward into a sharp save from 20 yards, then danced along the by‑line to set up the fit‑again Morley, whose close‑range effort was deflected over. A goal looked imminent, but on 29 minutes Hutchison flew into Philpott and was booked - and before the referee’s notebook had cooled, a second wild lunge brought out the red card.
From total control, West Ham were suddenly a man down and hanging on. Yet their effort never dipped. Cottee curled inches wide before the break, and early in the second half thought he’d ended his drought, only for his header to be ruled out for a handball against Morley. Leicester, despite the numerical advantage, rarely threatened as Moncur, Morley and Martin kept driving the Hammers forward.
And just as Hutchison was settling down at home to watch the Grandstand teleprinter, West Ham found their winner. Mohan needlessly tripped Moncur in the box, and Dicks stepped up to smash home a trademark penalty - a no‑nonsense finish to seal an against‑the‑odds victory.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham endured double trouble at Hillsborough as Dan Petrescu’s 28th‑minute strike lifted struggling Sheffield Wednesday above them in the table - and Martin Allen’s return ended in agony with cracked ribs and a collapsed lung after an innocuous clash with Hyde. A year on from a 5–0 thrashing, the Hammers actually began brightly, exploiting space down the flanks and carving out early chances. Rush repeatedly got in behind Nolan, Martin almost punished Pressman’s fumble, and Cottee ballooned a golden opportunity over from Rush’s by‑line cutback.
But Wednesday gradually settled. Bart‑Williams forced Mikloško into a superb one‑handed save before slipping through the defence to set up Petrescu, who clipped a neat 12‑yard finish past the diving Czech. Bart‑Williams then rattled the bar with a header, and only Martin’s goal‑line block denied Bright on the stroke of half‑time as West Ham reeled from Allen’s injury.
Rush slid a good chance wide just after the restart, but from there the Hammers lost their attacking rhythm. Wednesday looked increasingly comfortable, and only a string of excellent Mikloško saves - from Sinton, Bright and substitute Watson - kept the scoreline respectable on a bruising afternoon.
COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Upton Park was supposed to test its evacuation procedures at full‑time, but West Ham’s performance ensured the stands were already half‑empty long before referee Reed ended 90 minutes of misery. “That was our worst performance yet,” admitted a furious Harry Redknapp, his patched‑up side badly missing Allen, Martin, Breacker and the suspended Hutchison. Lacking cohesion and imagination, the Hammers were second best throughout, while Ndlovu and Jones repeatedly stretched them down the flanks.
Ndlovu twice threatened early on, and Cook forced Mikloško to tip a 20‑yarder around the post. Dicks and Moncur tried their luck from distance, but West Ham’s best first‑half moment came when Morley’s acrobatic overhead kick flashed inches wide. As the hour approached, Moncur burst onto Cottee’s clever through‑ball only for Ogrizovic to save - a moment that proved pivotal.
City broke immediately, Dublin switching play to Jones, whose first‑time cross was headed in at the far post by Busst. Ten minutes later Ndlovu surged from halfway, leaving defenders trailing before driving across goal. By the time Moncur and Cottee forced superb late saves from Ogrizovic, the exodus had already begun, disillusioned supporters staging their own evacuation long before the official one.
BOLTON WANDERERS : Coca-Cola Cup (Fourth Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Harry Redknapp opened the inquest into West Ham’s Coca‑Cola Cup exit by pointing to the obvious: “We’re short of five very important players.” The lack of depth was brutally exposed by Endsleigh League Bolton, who controlled a lopsided tie from the moment McGinlay pounced on Mikloško’s weak punch after 16 minutes.
Bishop and Moncur had gone close early on, and debutant Boere twice threatened with headers, while Rush volleyed narrowly over. Holmes was withdrawn at half‑time for Morley as Redknapp threw on extra firepower, but even with three forwards the Hammers couldn’t find a way back. Boere headed a sitter wide just after the restart, and on 54 minutes another defensive mix‑up proved fatal: Boere and Mikloško both went for Green’s corner, the clearance fell to Stubbs, and Lee drilled in via Whitbread’s shin.
Thirteen minutes from time Dicks inexplicably handled another Bolton cross, allowing McGinlay to convert from the spot off Mikloško’s right‑hand post. Cottee finally ended a ten‑game drought with a neat 15‑yard finish from Boere’s flick‑on, but it was no more than consolation. A flat, forgettable performance — and one West Ham’s shell‑shocked players will have been desperate to move on from.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
A late, late header from Jeroen Boere was injury-ravaged Hammers' reward for their spirited second-half showing. But, on an afternoon when Rangers had teased and tormented them for long spells, the Dutchman's goal was simply not enough to prevent West Ham sliding further down the Premiership table.
Still licking the wounds from the midweek Coca-Cola Cup defeat, Harry Redknapp opted to shuffle the pack. Yet within just two minutes of the start, he found himself holding yet another losing hand. West Ham's patched up defence, with Dicks playing a central role, failed to deal with Sinclair's corner, and when Barker hooked the ball over to the unmarked Ferdinand his well-placed header left Ludo rooted to the spot.
Cottee should have replied instantly but he clipped his 15-yarder wide, and that let-off was the cue for QPR to run riot. Sinclair's next corner eventually fell to Barker, who saw Ludo push his effort onto the bar, and Gallen, Wilson and Impey also went close.
In reply, Marsh belted a 30-yarder inches wide, but just as Hammers looked to be steadying the ship, Sinclair sunk them with a goal of sheer quality. The lively winger danced his way to the edge of the area, before cracking an unstoppable 20-yarder past the sprawling Ludo.
With 15 minutes left, Maddix brilliantly foiled Cottee, and then Rush nodded another corner from debutant Hughes inches behind. As Hammers enjoyed their best spell, Dykstra produced the save of the match to deny Moncur. But well into injury time he had no chance when Boere met Cottee's fine, deep cross with a firm header.
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Injury‑hit West Ham produced a remarkable fightback at Elland Road, inspired by two towering Jeroen Boere headers and the extraordinary bravery of Ludek Mikloško, who played on despite a rib injury and eight stitches to a deep cut above his eye. Leeds looked set to steamroller the patched‑up Hammers after Worthington’s dipping 25‑yarder inside two minutes and Deane’s finish on 20 minutes, scored seconds after the aerial clash that left Ludo bloodied and dazed.
But West Ham refused to fold. In first‑half stoppage time Boere rose above Palmer to nod in Rowland’s perfect cross, a goal that rattled Leeds and gave the visitors belief. Hughes’ introduction on the hour added further spark, and after twice going close, Boere struck again with 11 minutes left - climbing above Wetherall to head in Rush’s inch‑perfect delivery.
Leeds, stunned, launched a late siege, but Mikloško - winded, stitched, and half‑blinded - produced three superb saves from McAllister, Deane and Whelan to secure a hard‑earned, improbable point for the Hammers.
MANCHESTER CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Tony Cottee had the points wrapped up inside ten minutes with a blistering one‑man demolition of Manchester City. After missing two early openings, he turned Brightwell smartly on six minutes, saw his first effort beaten out by Dibble, and smashed the rebound home from ten yards. Moments later he intercepted Quinn’s loose pass deep in West Ham territory, and by the time the fit‑again Breacker had surged to the opposite end, Cottee was perfectly placed to stab in his second.
The returns of Breacker and Martin gave West Ham a welcome solidity, and the pressure never relented. Hughes’ corner caused chaos but Dicks and Holmes couldn’t force the ball over the line, while Holmes’ spectacular 25‑yard volley was brilliantly clawed away. Rush and Boere were also denied by the inspired Dibble as the onslaught continued.
Cottee hunted his hat‑trick after the break, Dibble bravely diving at his feet and then holding another fierce drive. But the third goal always felt inevitable. On 57 minutes Bishop threaded a superb through‑ball, Cottee cut inside Kernaghan and swept a left‑footer in off the post to complete a superb treble.
IPSWICH TOWN
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Harry Redknapp was seething afterwards, insisting he “couldn’t see us not winning at 1–0” as West Ham squandered a host of chances and allowed bottom‑placed Ipswich to escape with a point. Cottee had given the Hammers the perfect start on 16 minutes, racing onto Rush’s clever through‑ball and lifting it over Forrest, and from there a home win looked inevitable.
Ipswich, though, survived a barrage. Mikloško twice kept West Ham level in an opening spell that saw Sedgley’s free‑kick pierce the wall and Kiwomya trouble Potts, but the visitors spent most of the half retreating. Martin’s thumping header from a Hughes corner was deflected wide, Rush saw a close‑range effort blocked, and just before the break Hughes’ cross‑shot drifted in — only for an offside flag to halt the celebrations.
The wastefulness proved costly. With 20 minutes left, Ipswich mounted their first meaningful attack of the half and Thomsen nodded in Kiwomya’s cross to level. It nearly got worse when a mix‑up between Dicks and Hughes let Mason through, but Mikloško smothered brilliantly.
West Ham launched a furious late assault. Slater blocked Martin’s header on the line, Forrest denied Cottee at point‑blank range, and the keeper somehow bundled Boere’s close‑range effort behind. Even then the Dutchman had one last chance, nodding Holmes’ cross wide in stoppage time.
A match the Hammers should have won comfortably ended in bitter frustration — and two dropped points that felt like a defeat. "That's two points lost," added Redknapp. "We needed a second goal, but it never came."
WIMBLEDON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham endured a night of bitter frustration as Wimbledon rode their luck and snatched all three points through substitute Fear’s second‑half strike. Harry Redknapp was furious afterwards, insisting his side had worked hard, played excellent football and dominated — yet still came away empty‑handed, with just one point from their Christmas fixtures.
Redknapp’s five‑man defence, with Rieper sweeping behind Potts and Martin, completely stifled the Dons in a one‑sided first half. Hughes cut inside to test Segers after four minutes, curled a free‑kick over, and saw a low cross smothered with Cottee and Boere waiting to pounce. Apart from efforts from Holdsworth and Cunningham, Mikloško had little to worry about in the swirling wind and rain.
A double substitution at the break changed the tone. Clarke immediately pinned Breacker back, limiting his forward bursts, and ten minutes into the half Kimble was allowed to advance unchecked. Bishop couldn’t cut out the full‑back’s deep cross and Fear arrived to drive a 12‑yarder past Mikloško.
West Ham still should have levelled. Breacker surged forward and squared for Cottee, only a yard out, but the striker somehow clipped the crossbar instead of the net. The Hammers kept pushing, and Holmes and Bishop both forced Segers into sharp saves from 20 yards, but the Wimbledon keeper refused to budge. For all their possession and effort, West Ham were left with nothing - a harsh return on a night they deserved far more.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham tore into high‑flying Forest with a blistering first‑half display that left Frank Clark admitting his side had been outplayed, outfought and outclassed. The return of Moncur strengthened a midfield already buzzing through Bishop and Holmes, while at the back the evergreen Alvin Martin completely nullified £5‑million man Stan Collymore.
After dominating from the start, the Hammers struck on 24 minutes when Boere nodded down Moncur’s mis‑hit shot and Cottee volleyed in his fifth goal in four games. Barely a minute later, Martin flicked on Hughes’ corner and Bishop stabbed home his first of the season to send a rain‑soaked Upton Park into raptures. The pressure didn’t relent: Holmes went close, and right on half‑time Hughes robbed Chettle 30 yards out before racing through to beat Crossley with ease.
West Ham stayed in control after the break but couldn’t add to their tally. Boere headed Dicks’ corner narrowly wide, Hughes skimmed the post from distance, and Holmes saw another effort saved. Forest offered little until the final minutes, when Collymore finally wriggled free only to blaze over from almost under the bar. In stoppage time McGregor collected Crossley’s long punt and fired in an angled consolation between Potts and Dicks.
“We played some great stuff out there,” Redknapp said afterwards - and for once, no one could argue.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Alan Shearer’s hat‑trick eventually broke West Ham’s resistance, but for an hour of a gripping, see‑saw contest the Hammers looked fully capable of derailing Blackburn’s title charge for the second year running. They started superbly: Flowers beat out Cottee’s angled drive inside four minutes, and Holmes had the ball in the net moments later only for a tight offside call to deny him.
But on 14 minutes Sutton slipped Shearer through, Mikloško brought him down, and the England striker hammered in the penalty, with both Ludo and Bishop booked in the aftermath. West Ham refused to wilt. On the half‑hour Boere flicked on Breacker’s chip and Cottee twisted past Le Saux and Gale to fire home his 99th league goal for the club.
As the hour approached, the Hammers stunned Ewood Park by taking the lead. Moncur’s shot deflected behind, Hughes’ corner caused chaos, and Dicks met the loose ball with a ferocious 15‑yard volley that Hendry could only help into the roof of the net. But the advantage lasted barely three minutes. Bishop tangled with Sherwood, and Le Saux’s free‑kick tore through the wall and under Breacker on the line.
From there Blackburn tightened the screw. On 75 minutes Wilcox released Shearer, who strode clear and smashed in his second. Three minutes later Rieper clipped Wilcox on the edge of the box, Morton pointed to the spot again, and Shearer completed his hat‑trick - a ruthless finish that finally killed off West Ham’s brave challenge.
WYCOMBE WANDERERS : FA Cup (Third Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
What looked awkward on paper turned into a smooth passage to the fourth round as West Ham brushed aside Wycombe with authority. Second‑half headers from the lively Tony Cottee and substitute Kenny Brown settled the tie and left predictions of a giant‑killing looking faintly ridiculous.
The Hammers were rarely troubled. Early chances fell to Holmes, Cottee and Moncur, all denied by the excellent Hyde, while Wycombe’s only real spell of pressure came midway through the first half when Bell’s cross flashed across goal and Mikloško had to race out to thwart Regis. Regis then headed narrowly over after a Dicks misjudgement, and Carroll volleyed inches wide after recovering from a heavy touch.
West Ham soon reasserted control. Bishop and Dicks tested Hyde from distance, and Holmes slalomed through the defence before the keeper saved at the second attempt. An ankle injury forced Boere off at half‑time, but his replacement, Morley, made an immediate impact. With his first involvement he released Hughes, whose right‑wing cross was met by Cottee’s firm angled header - his seventh goal in six games.
Dicks struck the base of the post with a deflected drive, Morley’s header clipped Cottee and went wide, and Hughes sent a 25‑yarder into the packed terrace. Wycombe’s late changes brought little improvement; Hemmings’ rash challenge on Mikloško only irritated the visitors, and Carroll’s fierce free‑kick was beaten out.
With twelve minutes left, West Ham wrapped it up. Hughes floated in a cross from the left and Brown - on for the injured Holmes - nodded in from close range to seal a comfortable, professional win and secure the Hammers’ place in the fourth‑round draw.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Harry Redknapp was fuming afterwards, insisting he’d “just had a long chat” with his players after watching West Ham dominate the first half only to be swept away by Tottenham’s second‑half surge. From the opening whistle the Hammers pressed relentlessly, forcing Walker into early saves from Bishop and Moncur. After ten minutes the Spurs keeper’s six‑match clean‑sheet run ended when Boere headed in Hughes’ pinpoint cross at the far post, and the Dutchman almost added a second when he stretched for Howells’ risky back‑header.
West Ham stayed firmly on top, with Bishop, Holmes and Breacker peppering the Bobby Moore Stand as they controlled the contest. Spurs offered little beyond Barmby’s fierce 12‑yard strike and Klinsmann’s angled effort into the side‑netting. But while West Ham enjoyed their half‑time tea, Gerry Francis was delivering a very different brew in the away dressing room.
The response was immediate. Seven minutes after the restart, Walker’s booming drop‑kick left Brown and Mikloško in a tangle, only for Sheringham to smack the post with the goal gaping. Barmby went close again before Anderton’s free‑kick on the hour caused chaos, Mikloško failing to punch clear and Sheringham stabbing in the loose ball.
Deflated and denied three strong penalty appeals, West Ham introduced the returning Martin Allen to stiffen the midfield, but the tide had turned. Ten minutes from time Klinsmann timed his run perfectly, sprung a shaky offside trap and coolly slotted home the winner, completing a brutal reversal of a match the Hammers had controlled for so long.
SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
21 January 1995
Postponed : Rained off
The West Ham team arrived at the Dell only to be told the game will not go ahead.
Rearranged 15 March 1995
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham’s fate was effectively sealed after just ten minutes when Alvin Martin was scandalously dismissed, a decision so harsh that Fleet Street united in protest the next morning. The veteran defender simply slipped on the greasy surface as he and Bright chased a loose ball, his flailing arm bringing the striker down. Referee Danson somehow deemed it “serious foul play” and brandished red, sending a stunned Martin down the tunnel and leaving the Hammers in disarray.
Hughes was sacrificed immediately for Rieper as Wednesday, already the brighter side, pressed home their advantage. Hyde and Bright both unleashed curling 20‑yarders that Mikloško clawed away brilliantly, but on 32 minutes Waddle spotted the keeper off his line and clipped a superb 15‑yard finish in off the underside of the bar.
West Ham fought gamely after the break - Brown, Boere and Breacker all probing - but clear chances never materialised. And with 17 minutes left, Breacker followed Martin to the dressing room after a second reckless challenge, leaving the Hammers to face the closing stages with nine men.
The inevitable gaps opened up. Watson somehow missed a golden chance, but when Mikloško failed to deal with Bart‑Williams’ routine cross, Bright pounced to settle the contest and end a miserable, luckless afternoon for West Ham.
Alvin Martin’s red card was later rescinded.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS : FA Cup (Fourth Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Not even Harry Redknapp's half-time ear bashing could salvage West Ham's FA Cup hopes. Although Hughes lashed one just wide after only 40 seconds, and Roberts was forced to race out three times in quick succession to intercept from Cottee, West Ham just never got it going on a treacle-like top that had survived a mid-morning inspection.
On the other hand, Rangers shrugged off the absence of Ferdinand as sizzling wing play from Impey and Sinclair created openings for Barker -who sidefooted over - while Maddix headed wide and the lively Dichio fired into the side-netting.
Midway through the half, Ray Wilkins' side finally broke the deadlock following a costly lapse in the Hammers defence which allowed Holloway to find the unattended Impey in acres of space. Even then the Rangers winger scuffed his 15-yarder, but still the unprotected Ludo was given no chance.
And it could have been even worse as the interval approached. But Gallen blasted over, the flying Yates sent his header the wrong side of the post and Potts brilliantly tackled Dichio. Hammers regained some self-respect after the break as the recalled Allen saw his twisting volley saved, while Boere also went close with a grasscutter.
With 20 minutes left, Hutchison replaced the disappointing Bishop, and shortly afterwards Roberts saved the substitute's free-kick at the base of his left-hand post. Dicks then saw a similar effort held, and as edgy Rangers collected four yellow cards, Cottee and Hutchison also tried late volleys.
Ironically, with all the action focused on the QPR goal, Dichio might have doubled the winning margin in the dying seconds but his header thumped back off the post.
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Bottom‑placed Leicester were outpassed and outfought as Tony Cottee - reaching his century of league goals for the club - inspired West Ham to three vital points. Harry Redknapp signalled his intent to halt a run of three straight defeats by recalling Hutchison and springing a surprise start for the promising Williamson, and the reshaped Hammers took control from the first whistle.
Cottee fired an early effort into the side‑netting, while Moncur and Hutchison forced Poole into sharp saves. The breakthrough came on the half‑hour when Draper was robbed on the edge of the box, Dicks surged to the by‑line, and Cottee swept in a crisp right‑footed finish from 12 yards to bring up his landmark goal.
Poole then produced two superb stops to deny Hutchison and Dicks, but when Grayson and Mohan bundled Cottee over just before the break, Dicks hammered home the resulting penalty. Leicester grabbed a lifeline in first‑half stoppage time when Mikloško failed to deal with Grayson’s free‑kick and Robins nodded in from close range.
West Ham, though, remained dominant after the interval. Hutchison, Cottee and Moncur all wasted chances to kill the game, Williamson had a shot cleared off the line, and Dicks — outstanding throughout - was again thwarted by the overworked Poole. Wasteful finishing kept the scoreline tighter than it should have been, but the points were never really in doubt.
EVERTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Tony Cottee’s two goals should have earned West Ham a priceless victory, but his Man of the Match champagne went flat as substitute Anders Limpar snatched a late equaliser in a breathless relegation scrap. Cottee twice put the Hammers ahead against his former club, yet Everton found a response each time.
The visitors started far stronger on a drenched Upton Park pitch. Mikloško was immediately busy, palming away two dangerous Ferguson headers, tipping Hinchcliffe’s free‑kick onto the bar, and clawing out Stuart’s skidding effort. But midway through the half West Ham struck with their first real attack: Cottee nutmegged Unsworth and toe‑poked under the advancing Southall.
Everton remained a threat from set pieces, and two minutes before the break Ablett nodded Hinchcliffe’s corner back across goal for Rideout to squeeze in from an improbable angle. Boere replaced Hughes after the interval to add height, and on the hour Hutchison - now operating deeper - splashed into a puddle and delivered a perfect cross for Cottee to head home his second.
Dicks unleashed a 35‑yard rocket that Southall beat away, Hutchison volleyed narrowly wide, and Cottee was denied a hat‑trick by another acrobatic save. But the introduction of Limpar swung the momentum. With 20 minutes left, the Swede’s sharpness told: Potts cleared his initial cross, but Limpar’s follow‑up shot deflected off the skipper’s heel and wrong‑footed Mikloško. A thrilling contest, but one that left West Ham with only a point when they desperately needed more.
COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Former Hammer Mike Marsh helped sink his old club as struggling Coventry gave new boss Ron Atkinson a winning start - a result that lifted the Sky Blues up the table but underlined that they, too, were fighting for their Premiership lives. For West Ham, the defeat was made worse by a hamstring injury to defensive linchpin Alvin Martin, ruling him out of the crucial run‑in.
Coventry’s Atkinson‑fuelled energy was clear, yet West Ham should have struck first. Cottee twice burst clear inside 15 minutes, denied first by Ogrizovic’s outstretched leg and then by the side‑netting when a square pass to Hutchison looked the better option. Having survived those scares, Coventry took the lead midway through the half: Dublin fed Marsh, whose low cross skidded through the six‑yard box for the unlikely figure arriving at the far post to steer home.
Rieper replaced the injured Martin at the break, and Holmes’ recall ended early when he made way for Boere on the hour. West Ham increased their effort after the restart - Williamson and Breacker both going close from distance - but their play remained fussy and indecisive.
And they paid for it. When Morgan intercepted Hutchison’s aimless cross, Coventry broke with purpose. Dublin released the lively Ndlovu, who slipped between Potts and Dicks before finishing coolly from 15 yards to seal a damaging defeat for the Hammers.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
22 February 1995
Postponed : Waterlogged Pitch
Rearranged 3 May 1995
CHELSEA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Bad finishing, bad marking and a dose of bad luck turned three precious points into none on a bleak afternoon for relegation‑threatened West Ham. With Ian Bishop orchestrating superbly in a new diamond midfield, the Hammers looked in full control - only for a flat Chelsea side to snatch the game with two late goals.
West Ham struck early. When Kharine failed to deal with Moncur’s corner after 11 minutes, Hutchison pounced with a fierce 10‑yard volley that crashed in off the bar. Cottee was denied by the keeper’s quick feet, and Hutchison, brimming with confidence, twice let fly from distance. Allen should also have scored but chose placement over power, allowing Clarke to block.
But midway through the half, a quick throw caught Breacker and Rieper cold, Peacock’s cross finding Burley unmarked for a simple tap‑in. Worse followed eight minutes later when Burley fed Stein, who chested down and lashed an angled volley past Mikloško from an improbable position.
West Ham kept pushing. Allen’s header rattled the bar, and after Hitchcock replaced the injured Kharine, Cottee saw the substitute tip his effort onto the post. Deep into stoppage time, Cottee finally stabbed home after Hitchcock spilled Breacker’s high cross - only for a raised flag to rule that Morley had fouled the keeper.
The roar turned instantly to fury. A deserved point vanished, and the Hammers were left staring at another costly defeat in their survival fight.
ARSENAL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham stunned Arsenal with a vibrant, fearless performance that belied their precarious league position. From the moment Don Hutchison tapped them ahead midway through the first half, the unchanged Hammers looked composed, organised, and largely untroubled.
The breakthrough came from a cleverly worked free‑kick: Cottee rolled the ball short, Moncur whipped in a low centre, and when Winterburn failed to cut it out, Hutchison arrived at the far post to steer home a priceless opener. Cottee then twice threatened to extend the lead, his low cross inches from reaching Allen on the line before two further chances flashed wide.
Hutchison opened the second half with a pair of ambitious long‑range efforts, while Moncur sent one shot wide and another crashing off the outside of the post. Arsenal, strangely flat, finally stirred on 70 minutes when Mikloško brilliantly tipped Jensen’s 25‑yard rocket over. A double substitution followed as the Gunners searched for inspiration.
Having let a lead slip against Chelsea a week earlier, West Ham looked vulnerable when Kiwomya burst into the box, but Mikloško parried and Rieper hacked Wright’s looping header off the line in a dramatic double escape. This time, justice held firm. The Hammers saw out the final minutes with grit and left Highbury with three richly deserved points - a result that sent a ripple of shock through the division.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Newcastle swept aside struggling West Ham with a dominant display that kept their European push on track and left the Hammers mired in relegation trouble. Even with Rush and Hughes recalled to bolster a five‑man midfield, West Ham spent most of the afternoon chasing shadows as Keegan’s wide men ran riot.
Fox and Gillespie tore down the flanks from the outset, carving out early chances, and on 37 minutes Clark bundled in at the near post after Dicks hesitated and Hottiger slipped Kitson through. Breacker briefly threatened with a one‑two and a fierce drive saved by Srníček, but it was a rare moment of respite as Newcastle continued to pour forward. Kitson hit the side netting, and Lee twice failed to punish slips from Potts and Rieper.
Moments into the second half, Mikloško denied Fox after another Gillespie burst, but the pressure told on 52 minutes when Lee shaped to shoot before sliding in Kitson, who drilled across Ludo into the far corner. Morley replaced the ineffective Rush and immediately screwed a chance wide, while Lee and Kitson forced two superb saves from Mikloško as Newcastle eased off.
West Ham might have snatched a consolation late on: Cottee drew an awkward stop from Srníček, Hutchison skimmed the side netting, and Breacker’s surging run was halted just in time. But the outcome was never in doubt - an uphill struggle from the first whistle against a side brimming with quality.
NORWICH CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Tony Cottee dragged West Ham to a precious point with two late strikes as ten‑man Norwich finally buckled under relentless pressure. Yet even his heroics couldn’t disguise the truth: the Hammers needed all three, and this bizarre relegation scrap left them still deep in trouble.
West Ham dominated early. Williamson flashed just wide, Morley thundered a header against the bar, and Cottee somehow pulled another chance off target. Then came disaster - Mikloško let Eadie’s tame 15‑yarder squirm inside his near post, handing Norwich an unlikely lead.
Referee Wilkie booked three players before limping off, and replacement official Martin Sims immediately plunged the match into farce. Prior’s hack on Cottee deserved a red, but in the confusion Norwich accidentally pushed the innocent Johnson toward the referee - and he was the one dismissed.
Even with the extra man, West Ham struggled for ideas. Rieper smacked another header against the bar, and I'llathorne almost punished them again after Prior’s flick, Mikloško failing to deal convincingly with the low shot. Frustration grew, the crowd turned, and the Hammers’ senior figures - Cottee, Dicks, Bishop, even Potts - tried to drag the team forward.
Eight minutes from time, Hutchison’s superb through‑ball finally released Cottee, who beat Marshall to level. And deep into stoppage time, as Norwich panicked, Hughes and Rieper saw efforts blocked before Cottee pounced again to snatch a dramatic equaliser - a goal that lifted West Ham out of the bottom four, if only just.
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Southampton’s off‑field drama may have centred on Bruce Grobbelaar after his night in the cells, but it was stand‑in keeper Dave Beasant who kept West Ham trapped in relegation trouble with a series of crucial saves. Don Hutchison’s first‑half header looked to have set the Hammers on their way, only for familiar failings - loose passing, poor finishing, and a lack of composure - to undo them once again.
West Ham started brightly. Dicks thundered Holmes’ early corner inches wide, and Rush squandered a golden chance when Beasant parried his first effort and gratefully gathered the weak follow‑up. With Saints offering little, the breakthrough finally came six minutes before the interval as Hutchison steered Moncur’s corner just under the bar.
But the lead evaporated almost immediately after the restart. Le Tissier finally stirred, his free‑kick ricocheting off Breacker’s legs for Shipperley to smash in from 12 yards. Southampton briefly pressed, but West Ham steadied themselves and Cottee forced Beasant into another fine save on the hour.
Redknapp chased the win by sacrificing shape for firepower, introducing Boere, yet the chances that followed - Breacker’s blocked effort, Dicks’ late header - came to nothing. In the end, the Hammers had to settle for a point that felt like two dropped, though denying Saints a home win at least prevented a far worse outcome.
ASTON VILLA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham dragged Aston Villa back into the relegation scrap with a display built on sheer graft, the kind of hard‑working performance their anxious opponents simply couldn’t match. Villa were flat from the start, and the Hammers took full advantage.
After just 11 minutes, Hutchison rolled the ball to Moncur 25 yards out. With no pressure on him, the midfielder produced a clever back‑heel onto his left foot and unleashed a stunning drive that left Bosnich clawing at thin air - a strike worthy of any Goal of the Season shortlist. West Ham might have doubled their lead but for two marginal offside calls, and Hutchison forced Bosnich into another sharp save with a fierce angled effort.
Villa finally stirred ten minutes before the break when Ludo clawed out Charles’ low shot, but the home crowd’s boos told the story. A half‑time change brought Houghton on, yet any hope of a revival vanished four minutes later. Moncur pounced on Teale’s slip and whipped a low cross to the far post, where Hutchison stretched to steer in his eighth goal of the campaign.
The same pair almost combined again on the hour, Bosnich this time producing a superb parry to deny Hutchison’s header. Villa belatedly threatened through Yorke, Saunders and Townsend, and even Bosnich charged up for a last‑ditch corner, but West Ham held firm. By the time Saunders struck the post in stoppage time, half of Villa Park had already headed for the exits.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Against all odds, a suspension‑ravaged West Ham returned from a three‑week layoff to claim a precious point at the City Ground. After Julian Dicks blasted them ahead midway through the second half, they even threatened to steal all three, only for £5‑million man Stan Collymore to snatch a late equaliser and keep the Hammers stuck in the bottom four.
Missing Moncur, Hutchison, Breacker and Rush, West Ham looked in for a long afternoon when Collymore forced Mikloško to tip over inside the first minute. The striker then carved through the defence again, Potts rescuing with a superb lunge before Ludo produced a point‑blank save to deny Stone. West Ham’s only real first‑half opening came when Boere nodded down Brown’s cross, but Cottee hooked over from eight yards.
After the break, Potts again saved his side with a last‑ditch challenge on Bohinen, and West Ham began to grow in belief. Cottee was sent racing through by Hughes only for Cooper’s outstretched leg to block, while Boere continued to dominate in the air. On 65 minutes, Cooper hauled down Hughes 25 yards out, and Dicks stepped up to thunder a free‑kick past the wall and the diving Crossley.
Thirteen minutes from time, Rieper somehow scrambled Crossley’s huge drop‑kick off the line, but West Ham failed to clear the resulting corner. When the second cross dropped at the far post, Cooper’s knockdown ricocheted off Lee and Collymore pounced, smashing in from six yards to deny the Hammers a famous win.
WIMBLEDON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Harry Redknapp enjoyed a sweeter Easter as West Ham finally claimed their first home win over Joe Kinnear’s Wimbledon. Aside from an early scramble that almost allowed Holdsworth to bundle in, the Hammers were rarely troubled in a first half they knew they had to dominate.
Holmes, Boere, Dicks and Cottee all went close as West Ham pressed relentlessly, and although Potts was shoved over in the box, referee Reed ignored the appeals. Four minutes before the break, however, Holmes was tripped by Cunningham and this time the penalty was given. Dicks thundered it home despite Sullivan’s touch.
Right after the restart, Dicks whipped in a dangerous low cross that somehow evaded Cottee, Allen and Boere. Wimbledon briefly threatened through Holdsworth and Harford, but once Mikloško steadied himself, West Ham struck twice on the counter.
On 76 minutes, Hughes dazzled down the flank and Boere launched himself into a superb diving header to double the lead. Two minutes later, Hughes carved them open again, slipping in the overlapping Breacker, whose cutback was calmly side‑footed in by Cottee from eight yards.
Wimbledon were finished, and West Ham finally had the home win over the Dons they’d been chasing for years.
IPSWICH TOWN
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Jeroen Boere rescued West Ham at the death, smashing in a stoppage‑time equaliser to spare their blushes against already‑relegated Ipswich. The Hammers were frustrated not to take all three points, but the late leveller may yet prove crucial in the survival reckoning.
West Ham should have wrapped the game up inside the opening minutes. Holmes drove wide after 40 seconds, Cottee forced Baker into a sharp save, and Boere was denied in a frantic scramble. Bishop dictated the early tempo, but a rare Ipswich attack saw Rieper’s half‑clearance fall to Thomsen, who drilled in only their second goal in nine games.
The Hammers kept pushing. Baker beat out Boere’s effort, Moncur miscued a return cross, and after the restart Marshall tested Mikloško. Redknapp shuffled the pack, bringing on Hutchison, and chances continued to come and go - Breacker and Boere both close, Hutchison bursting clear but losing control, and Cottee’s awkward header easily saved.
As desperation crept in, Mathie wasted three good openings, tempers flared, and Dicks collected the 50th booking of his West Ham career after chopping down Thomsen in a late melee.
But the final twist came deep into stoppage time. Baker failed to deal with Holmes’ cross, Moncur stabbed goalwards, and Boere reacted quickest, drilling home from ten yards to salvage a point that might yet matter more than the performance deserved.
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Blackburn’s title charge took a major hit as West Ham produced a fierce, full‑blooded performance to claim a vital win that strengthened their own survival hopes. Sutton and Shearer were kept quiet throughout, while second‑half strikes from Rieper and Hutchison sealed a deserved victory.
The match was so bruising that the FA requested video evidence afterwards. Hutchison and Boere both finished with broken noses, and Batty’s reckless rake into Bishop’s groin drew particular scrutiny in a contest littered with bookings.
With Cottee out injured, Hutchison led the line, though early chances were scarce amid a frantic midfield battle. Holmes’ deliveries created West Ham’s best openings, Moncur volleying over and Rieper heading just wide. At the back, Rieper and Potts completely smothered Blackburn’s famed strike partnership.
Four minutes into the second half, Rieper surged forward again, powering Moncur’s corner into the turf and beyond Flowers. Hutchison soon tested the boards with a 25‑yard drive, while Shearer had a tap‑in ruled out for Sutton’s foul on Mikloško. Dalglish threw on Newell, who clipped the angle, and West Ham briefly wobbled.
But with seven minutes left, Bishop released Rush behind Hendry, Moncur’s cutback forced a spill from Flowers, and Hutchison pounced to smash in his second. Even then the drama continued: Hutch took a wild Sherwood elbow full in the face, Webster finally made his debut, and Rush almost added a third in stoppage time but for Flowers’ fingertips. By the time the final whistle blew, Blackburn’s champagne was being packed away - and West Ham’s survival prospects looked brighter than ever.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
The 60th-minute dismissal of Martin Allen took the sting out of West Ham on a night when they could have taken advantage of the fact that none of their fellow dog-fighters won.
Until that point, Hammers had looked the better bet to eke out a goal in an in cohesive derby, sadly punctuated by referee Willard's incredulous outbreak of yellow fever. With Tony Cottee already ruled out for rest of the season, West Ham were unchanged from the side that had brilliantly sent Blackburn packing just three days earlier.
And yet again Rieper and Potts proved impregnable against a largely disinterested Ferdinand. The England marksman had little hunger for the occasional morsels tossed his way by the dazzling wing-wizardry of Sinclair and Impey. At the other end, Hammers looked equally weary, but Hutchison did force Roberts to save his early thumper, and after the rampaging Breacker drove behind, the truly outstanding Bishop saw his low 20-yarder beaten clear by the Rangers 'keeper just before the break.
Allen's 26th-minute trip on Impey had seen him go into a notebook destined to contain the names of another eight miscreants by the time the enthusiastic Mr Willard blew for time. And, on the hour, the former Ranger collected a second caution for going barking mad when substitute Brevett raked his shin. With Hutch already off, I0-man Hammers saw their goal options become even more limited after the tactical withdrawal of Boere, and in the end only Ludo's wonder save prevented Barker from heading a late winner.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
West Ham’s eight game unbeaten run collapsed with a limp defeat that dragged them straight back into relegation trouble. The tone was set inside three minutes when Boere’s seemingly fair, bulldozing finish was ruled out, and from that moment Martyn’s goal was rarely troubled.
Palace, fully aware that a West Ham win would secure the Hammers’ safety at their expense, leaned heavily on two familiar faces. Houghton’s craft and Dowie’s awkward persistence unsettled the home defence throughout. Dowie’s early overhead kick flashed wide, Salako and Southgate both went close, and Houghton forced Mikloško into a sharp low save.
West Ham’s best moment came on the stroke of half time when Moncur’s corner was flicked on by Boere and Allen hooked against the bar, but Palace always looked hungrier. Five minutes after the restart, Mikloško could only parry Houghton’s fierce drive and Armstrong pounced to bury the rebound.
Southgate threatened repeatedly, one thunderous effort even being chested off the line by the tireless Dicks. At the other end, Morley’s introduction offered little spark to a Cottee less attack, and late angled strikes from Holmes and Dicks were as close as West Ham came. By the final whistle, the Hammers were left staring nervously at the table once more - their survival fight very much alive and far from comfortable.
LIVERPOOL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Don Hutchison fired West Ham to safety with a blistering quickfire double against his former club, sealing the Premiership future the Hammers had been chasing for weeks. They tore into Liverpool from the start, though an early blow came when Dicks limped off with an ankle injury. Hughes twice went close before Holmes settled nerves on the half‑hour, his cross‑shot skidding under the sprawling James.
Liverpool, already assured of a UEFA Cup place, looked flat and should have levelled when McManaman squared for Fowler just after the break. Instead, West Ham seized control. On the hour, Hutchison exchanged passes with Morley and drilled an 18‑yarder into the bottom corner, leaving James rooted.
With Upton Park already sensing survival, Breacker lofted a superb ball forward and Hutchison killed it instantly before burying his second from ten yards. James was beaten again, and the travelling Liverpool support began drifting toward the exits. Morley might have added a fourth but blazed over, while Kennedy, McManaman and Clough threatened late consolations. None materialised. West Ham were safe, Hutchison the hero, and the celebrations along Green Street told the rest of the story.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
In a breathtaking finale to the season, Ludo Mikloško stood like a wall between Manchester United and a third straight Premiership crown. The inspired Czech keeper produced a string of astonishing saves that not only floored United but effectively delivered the title to Blackburn. West Ham were already safe, but pride alone ensured they had no intention of gifting United the win that would have overturned Dalglish’s lead.
United, already rattled by news of Shearer scoring at Ewood Park, were stunned further when Holmes smashed a shot against the bar. Moments later, Hughes arrived at the penalty spot to sweep a side‑footed volley past Schmeichel, leaving United’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
But the visitors refused to fold. Cole struck the post before the break, and when McClair was left unmarked to head in Neville’s free‑kick early in the second half, the momentum swung sharply their way. News of John Barnes equalising at Anfield only fuelled United’s desperation, triggering a relentless siege on the West Ham goal.
Ince flicked an effort that McClair somehow lifted over, Irwin’s free‑kick skimmed past the post, and Mikloško produced a magnificent punch to deny Hughes. Potts and Rieper battled heroically, while Ludo repeatedly thwarted Cole and Ince as the pressure mounted.
The closing minutes were pure agony. Ince looped a header onto the bar, appeals for handball against Breacker were waved away, and twice Cole found himself one‑on‑one with Mikloško - and twice the keeper prevailed. Only when referee Wilkie blew for full time did the chaos subside, ending United’s charge and sealing one of the most dramatic finishes in Premier League history.
In a final twist, Jamie Redknapp’s late goal for Liverpool moments later meant Blackburn lost on Merseyside - but thanks to West Ham’s resistance, the title was already theirs. For Ferguson, denied by the Hammers for the second time in four seasons, the long walk back to Old Trafford could hardly have felt heavier.