WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decades
A Pictorial History
1999-2000 FA Carling Premiership
Manager : Harry Redknapp
Departures from the club saw Eyal Berkovic join Celtic, Stan Lazaridis move to Birmingham City and Julian Dicks retire from playing. Harry Redknapp then bought striker Paolo Wanchope, central defender Igor Stimac and full-back Gary Charles.
The new season started early in July as the Hammers were in the Intertoto Cup. The Finnish side Jokerit were beaten 2–1 on aggregate and this was followed up with a 2–0 aggregate win against Dutch side Heerenveen. The Hammers were now in the final, where they faced the French team Metz over two legs. There was disappointment in the home leg as Metz went back to France with a 1–0 lead, but in the return a stirring performance by the Hammers gave them a 3–1 victory and qualification for the UEFA Cup.
In the league there were five wins and a draw in the opening games and by mid-September they were in second place. Also in September the Croatian side Osijek were beaten home and away in the UEFA Cup. It was a busy month in October as Di Canio scored twice against Arsenal in a 2–1 win. The home League Cup game with Bournemouth was won 2–0 but there was no joy in Romania in the UEFA Cup as Steaua Bucharest won 2–0; the Hammers were knocked out after the home leg was drawn 0–0. The good league form continued with home wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool, and in the League Cup the Hammers progressed after a thrilling 3–2 win at Birmingham City. December proved to be a black month as West Ham gave an inept performance in losing 1–0 in the FA Cup at Tranmere Rovers – the FA’s tinkering with tradition in holding the third round before Christmas has never been repeated. Days later in the League Cup, after a 2–2 draw they beat Aston Villa on penalties. However, it was later found that Manny Omoyinmi (who had come on as a substitute) was ineligible to play and the FA ordered the tie to be replayed, which the Villa won 3–1.
By early February the Hammers were in ninth place as they faced Bradford City at Upton Park. In an amazing game the Hammers were losing 4–2 after 50 minutes yet fought back to win 5–4. Another highlight came in the home game with Wimbledon when Di Canio scored a wonder goal that was later acclaimed as the Goal of the Season. A week later on April Fools’ Day, after taking the lead the Hammers lost 7–1 at Manchester United. West Ham finished the season in ninth place, and had now achieved three top-ten placings in successive seasons.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
FC JOKERIT (Finland) : UEFA Intertoto Cup (Third Round 1st leg)
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Kitson 18)
17 July 1999
Att: 11,908
Forrest
Ruddock
Ferdinand R.
Potts (Keller)
Minto
Lomas
Sincair (Wright)
Lampard
Cole
Kitson
Di Canio
West Ham’s uneasy foray into the twilight world of the Intertoto Cup almost turned into a full‑blown embarrassment at Upton Park. What should have been a comfortable midsummer stroll toward a potential UEFA Cup place became an awkward, perspiring grind, leaving the Hammers with only the narrowest of advantages to take to Helsinki for the second leg.
Paul Kitson’s 17th‑minute goal was all West Ham had to show for a first half they dominated almost entirely. That superiority bred a dangerous complacency, and the sparse 11,098 crowd soon realised there was nothing funny about the Finnish visitors whose name translates as “Jokers.” Jokerit barely ventured forward early on, defending deep with ten men behind the ball, yet they grew in confidence as the half wore on. By the closing minutes, Mika Nenonen twice came close to snatching an equaliser - first flashing a 20‑yarder inches wide with Craig Forrest beaten, then forcing the under‑worked keeper into a sharp save.
Before that late wobble, West Ham had wasted a string of chances. Trevor Sinclair forced an early stop from Pasi Laaksonen and was flagged narrowly offside when he buried Paolo Di Canio’s through‑ball. Scott Minto, lively down the left, created the breakthrough with a surging run and a looping cross that Kitson bravely forced home at the far post. Laaksonen then denied Di Canio with a superb flying save, and Sinclair jabbed Kitson’s low cross against the post. Another Minto delivery brought a diving header from Sinclair, but again the keeper gathered.
Jokerit’s first real effort - a tame Koskela shot—arrived nine minutes before the interval, yet West Ham’s grip was already loosening. Joe Cole and Steve Lomas over‑elaborated in midfield, and a lapse from Lomas allowed Koskela a free header that fortunately went straight at Forrest. Lomas’s booking early in the second half summed up the growing frustration, while Cole was left hobbling after a crude body‑check from Janne Räsänen.
For West Ham, it was a sobering return to European competition after 18 years—dominant in possession, wasteful in front of goal, and left with far more work to do than anyone expected.
FC JOKERIT (Finland) : UEFA Intertoto Cup (Third Round 2nd leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Jones (Potts)
Ruddock
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Sinclair
Lampard
Lomas
Keller (Lazaridis)
Di Canio (MICHAEL CARRICK)
Kitson
West Ham’s European hopes were hanging by a thread in the Helsinki drizzle when Frank Lampard delivered the moment that wiped the smiles off Jokerit faces. His equaliser kept the Intertoto adventure alive, but it came on a night when the Hammers knew their flame could easily have been extinguished in the cold air of the Olympic Stadium.
It might never have come to that. West Ham could have settled the tie inside the opening five minutes. Paul Kitson’s point‑blank header was somehow clawed over by Laaksonen, and moments later Lampard cracked a 25‑yard drive against the post with the keeper rooted to the spot.
The Hammers were sharp and aggressive early on. Debutant Scott Minto Jones went into the book for tugging Ristilä, and Steve Lomas became embroiled in an unseemly scuffle with Koskela that somehow escaped punishment. But once Jokerit dropped into the same ten‑man defensive shell that had frustrated West Ham at Upton Park, the pattern shifted. On 33 minutes, the Finns struck. Koskela spun Lampard inside the box and drilled a low 15‑yarder across the slick surface and beyond Shaka Hislop.
After the break, Lampard, Paolo Di Canio and Steve Keller all went close, but with legs tiring and ideas running thin, extra‑time loomed in the land of the midnight sun. Then, on 70 minutes, Di Canio was chopped down on the edge of the area. Lampard stepped up and arrowed a right‑footed free‑kick over the wall and under the bar - unstoppable, emphatic, and utterly vital.
West Ham’s passage to the next round was effectively sealed fifteen minutes from time when Koskela launched into a reckless two‑footed lunge from behind, leaving Di Canio needing to be carried off and earning himself a straight red. The closing stages brought a moment of significance for the future: Michael Carrick came on for his official first‑team debut, just four days shy of his 18th birthday.
SC HEERENVEEN (Holland) : UEFA Intertoto Cup (Semi-Final 1st leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Ruddock (Pearce I.)
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Sinclair
Lampard
Lomas
Keller (Moncur)
Di Canio (Carrick)
PAULO WANCHOPE
West Ham will take a slender lead to Holland in the second leg of this Intertoto Cup semi-final thanks to a moment of brilliance from Frank Lampard. The midfielder lit up Upton Park after just six minutes, dispossessing Arek Radomski near the centre circle before striding forward and unleashing a magnificent 30-yard drive that flew in off the underside of the bar, beyond the helpless Hans Vonk.
The Hammers looked capable of running away with the tie during a dominant opening spell but failed to turn control into further goals. Debutant Paulo Wanchope came close to the perfect start, heading over from a Paolo Di Canio cross before later seeing two more efforts denied by the impressive Vonk.
Heerenveen gradually worked their way into the contest, enjoying plenty of possession without seriously threatening until Shaka Hislop produced a fine save to deny Talan. West Ham's task became harder when Neil Ruddock limped off with a hamstring injury, forcing a defensive reshuffle and the return of Ian Pearce after a lengthy absence.
John Moncur nearly caught Vonk out with an audacious lob from halfway and later set up Wanchope with a superb 40-yard pass, only for the striker to shoot straight at the goalkeeper. Trevor Sinclair volleyed narrowly wide and Paul Kitson blazed over from close range as West Ham's frustration grew.
Lampard's wonder strike ultimately proved the difference, though the Hammers will feel they should be taking a far healthier advantage to the Netherlands.
SC HEERENVEEN (Holland) : UEFA Intertoto Cup (Semi-Final 2nd leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Lomas
Pearce I.
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lampard
Foe
Moncur (Cole)
Di Canio (Kitson)
Sinclair
Wanchope
West Ham produced a disciplined and accomplished performance in Holland to secure their place in the Intertoto Cup final and move within touching distance of UEFA Cup qualification. Having left Upton Park trailing by a single goal, Heerenveen arrived full of confidence, but Harry Redknapp's tactical reshuffle, deploying Paolo Di Canio in a deeper role behind Trevor Sinclair and Paulo Wanchope, left the Dutch side struggling to gain a foothold.
The Hammers seized control from the outset. Wanchope fired narrowly wide before Di Canio weaved through a crowded defence to force a fine save from Hans Vonk. The breakthrough arrived on 25 minutes when Vonk could only parry Frank Lampard's powerful 21-yard effort and Wanchope reacted quickest to convert the rebound for his first West Ham goal.
West Ham continued to threaten on the break, with Di Canio, Sinclair and Marc-Vivien Foe all going close as Vonk kept the scoreline respectable. At the other end, Heerenveen found chances hard to come by against a commanding spine of John Moncur, Foe and Rio Ferdinand, while Shaka Hislop produced several outstanding saves to deny the hosts.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
STUART PEARCE
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lampard
Sinclair
Foe
Pearce I. (Keller)
Di Canio (Cole)
Wanchope
West Ham made a flying start and never looked back as they deservedly saw off Tottenham in an entertaining London derby. Within seconds Marc-Vivien Foe had rattled Ian Walker's crossbar with a powerful header from Paolo Di Canio's corner, setting the tone for a dominant first-half display.
The Hammers continued to press, with debutant captain Stuart Pearce slicing wide, Paulo Wanchope forcing Walker into two smart saves and Frank Lampard testing the Spurs goalkeeper from distance. Both sides suffered early disruption through injury, while referee Paul Durkin was also forced off and replaced by David Elleray.
West Ham's superiority was finally rewarded in first-half stoppage time when Di Canio threaded a precise pass into Lampard's path and the midfielder coolly steered a low finish beyond Walker.
Tottenham rarely threatened before the interval, with Rio Ferdinand commanding at the back and Shaka Hislop largely untroubled. George Graham's half-time changes briefly sparked the visitors, but their hopes faded further when injuries left them struggling to build momentum.
The Hammers, however, failed to turn their control into additional goals, overcomplicating matters in the final third when a second strike would have killed the contest. Spurs almost snatched an unlikely leveller late on, but Tim Sherwood headed wide from Les Ferdinand's knockdown.
In the end, Lampard's decisive finish capped a performance that West Ham's dominance fully deserved.
FC METZ (France) UEFA Intertoto Cup (Final 1st leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Minto
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe (Kitson)
Sinclair
Di Canio
Wanchope
Lampard
Moncur
West Ham's hopes of UEFA Cup qualification suffered a setback at Upton Park as Frank Lampard's second-half penalty was saved in a frustrating first-leg defeat to Metz.
The French side struck after just 12 minutes when Louis Saha stole in behind Rio Ferdinand to meet a clever pass and loop a header beyond Shaka Hislop. Trevor Sinclair was denied an immediate response by Lionel Letizi, while Saha almost doubled Metz's advantage soon after, volleying narrowly over.
Metz's disciplined man-marking made life difficult for the Hammers, although opportunities still came. Sinclair slid wide before the interval and Paulo Wanchope wasted a glorious chance when he fired straight at Letizi instead of rounding the goalkeeper.
Roared on by a packed Upton Park crowd, West Ham emerged with renewed purpose after the break. Julian Dicks, Steve Lomas and Paolo Di Canio all threatened before Di Canio won a penalty on the hour. Lampard, who had converted crucial spot-kicks in earlier rounds, stepped up, only for Letizi to dive smartly to his right and make a superb save.
The miss proved costly. Wanchope squandered three further close-range opportunities as Harry Redknapp threw men forward in search of an equaliser, while Metz looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Despite trailing, Redknapp remained defiant. West Ham had created enough chances to believe the tie was far from over and would travel to France convinced they could still turn it around.
ASTON VILLA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Minto
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Pearce S.
Sinclair
Di Canio
Wanchope
Lampard
Moncur
Trevor Sinclair struck with virtually the last kick of the game to earn West Ham a dramatic and richly deserved point against Aston Villa.
The visitors made the perfect start when Dion Dublin slipped past Rio Ferdinand to convert David Ginola's cross after just four minutes. But Villa's lead lasted only moments. Marc-Vivien Foe's speculative effort took a crucial deflection off Gareth Southgate and wrong-footed David James to level the scores.
West Ham's midfield trio of John Moncur, Foe and Frank Lampard battled tirelessly to wrest control, while Julian Dicks and Paolo Di Canio both went close. At the other end, Shaka Hislop was called into action, saving from George Boateng and watching Steve Potts clear Dublin's effort off the line.
Villa regained the lead early in the second half when Dublin pounced after West Ham failed to clear a corner. Hislop then kept the Hammers in contention with a string of vital saves as the visitors looked to seal victory.
The hosts pushed relentlessly for an equaliser. Wanchope, Lampard and Foe all threatened, but David James repeatedly came to Villa's rescue. As stoppage time ebbed away, defeat seemed inevitable. Then Wanchope robbed Dublin of possession and combined with Lampard before producing a brilliant backheel into Sinclair's path. The winger kept his composure to curl a superb finish beyond James and into the corner.
It was a thrilling finale that denied Villa top spot and ensured West Ham emerged with a hard-earned share of the spoils.
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Pearce S.
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur
West Ham once again showed their resilience at Upton Park, coming from behind to inflict a 13th successive away defeat on Leicester City. The Foxes made the perfect start after just two minutes when Emile Heskey burst clear and clipped a finish beyond the hesitant Shaka Hislop. Leicester looked capable of ending their miserable record in East London and Heskey almost struck again, only for Stuart Pearce to produce a vital last-ditch challenge.
Still feeling the effects of their dramatic draw at Aston Villa five days earlier, the Hammers took time to find their rhythm. But once they settled, the tide turned. On 28 minutes Paulo Wanchope claimed his first Premier League goal for the club, stabbing home from close range after Frank Lampard's mishit effort fell kindly into his path.
West Ham emerged after the break with renewed purpose and took the lead seven minutes into the second half. Wanchope's determined run caused havoc in the Leicester defence and, when the ball broke free, Paolo Di Canio instinctively curled a superb finish beyond Tim Flowers from 12 yards.
The Hammers then threatened to run away with the game. Lampard, John Moncur and Di Canio all went close as Flowers produced a string of impressive saves to keep Leicester in contention. Martin O'Neill's side rarely threatened thereafter, although Frank Sinclair needed a frantic late clearance to prevent an unfortunate own goal.
In the end, the quality of Wanchope and Di Canio proved decisive as West Ham completed another come-from-behind victory and maintained their formidable record against the Foxes at Upton Park.
FC METZ (France) UEFA Intertoto Cup (Final 2nd leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Keller
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio (Cole)
Lampard
Moncur
West Ham ended an 18-year wait for European football in unforgettable fashion, overturning a first-leg deficit to beat Metz and secure a coveted place in the UEFA Cup.
Trailing to Louis Saha's winner at Upton Park, the Hammers needed a response in France and delivered one of the finest European performances in the club's modern history. After surviving an early scare, Trevor Sinclair levelled the tie on 23 minutes, sweeping home a low finish after excellent work from Paolo Di Canio.
Metz threatened to regain control, but Rio Ferdinand, Shaka Hislop and a resilient West Ham defence stood firm. At the other end, Di Canio again proved the catalyst. On the stroke of half-time, a sweeping counter-attack saw the Italian combine with Frank Lampard before crossing for the midfielder to volley home a priceless second away goal and complete his redemption after the penalty miss in the first leg.
The French side responded strongly after the break and pulled one back through Jestrovic, setting up a tense finale. But West Ham refused to buckle. With eleven minutes remaining, John Moncur and Di Canio combined brilliantly to release Paulo Wanchope, who rounded Lionel Letizi and calmly slotted home the decisive third goal.
Joe Cole might have added further gloss late on, but it mattered little. As Metz threw everything forward, the Hammers kept their composure to seal a famous victory and finally claim the UEFA Cup place their fifth-place Premier League finish had deserved. Magnificent, resilient and richly deserved, Harry Redknapp's side had conquered Europe the hard way.
BRADFORD CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Pearce S.
Lomas
Ferdinand R. (Carrick)
Moncur
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
West Ham's impressive run continued at Valley Parade as goals from Paolo Di Canio, Trevor Sinclair and Paulo Wanchope powered Harry Redknapp's side into fourth place.
Bradford began brightly and threatened through Dean Windass and David Saunders, but once the Hammers settled they seized control. The breakthrough arrived after 34 minutes when Frank Lampard chipped into the box and Wanchope chested the ball into the path of Di Canio, who unleashed a magnificent volley beyond goalkeeper Matt Clarke Walsh.
The visitors struck a crucial second on the stroke of half-time. Wanchope's low cross was cleverly laid into the path of the overlapping Sinclair, who crashed a fierce finish in off the crossbar to leave Bradford reeling.
Any hopes of a Bantams revival disappeared four minutes after the restart. A defensive error gifted possession to Di Canio, who immediately released Wanchope, and the Costa Rican made no mistake, calmly prodding home his fourth goal for the club.
West Ham continued to dominate, with Di Canio, Lampard and Steve Lomas all going close as the visitors threatened to increase their advantage. Bradford's best chance saw Robert Milsom head against the underside of the bar, while Rio Ferdinand's twisted ankle ended an otherwise comfortable afternoon on a sour note.
The injury allowed teenage midfielder Michael Carrick to make his Premier League debut, and he looked assured as West Ham comfortably saw out a convincing victory that underlined their growing confidence and quality.
WATFORD
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Pearce S. (Margas)
Lomas
IGOR STIMAC
Moncur
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
A Paolo Di Canio free-kick proved decisive as West Ham secured a deserved 1-0 victory over Watford at a sun-drenched Upton Park.
The Hammers enjoyed the better of the first half, with Frank Lampard and Steve Lomas controlling possession while Trevor Sinclair and Marc Keller provided width. Despite their territorial advantage, Harry Redknapp's side found chances difficult to create against a well-organised Watford defence marshalled by Robert Page and Mark Williams.
The breakthrough arrived just three minutes after the restart. Awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area, Di Canio produced a moment of trademark quality, curling a precise effort beyond Alec Chamberlain to send the home crowd into celebration.
Forced onto the attack, Watford attempted to respond, but West Ham remained composed. Shaka Hislop dealt confidently with the visitors' direct approach, while the Hammers' defence rarely looked troubled. Tommy Mooney and Allan Smart threatened intermittently, but neither could find a way through.
Redknapp strengthened his midfield with the introductions of Javier Margas and young Michael Carrick as West Ham controlled proceedings and protected their slender advantage with discipline and assurance.
Although the margin was narrow, the outcome rarely felt in doubt. Dominant in possession and organised throughout, the Hammers fully deserved the points, with Di Canio's superb free-kick providing the touch of inspiration that settled an otherwise tightly contested encounter.
NK OSIJEK (Croatia) UEFA Cup (First Round 1st leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Margas
Lomas
Stimac
Moncur (Foe)
Sinclair
Keller
Di Canio (Kitson)
Lampard
Wanchope
West Ham marked their long-awaited return to European football in style, brushing aside Croatian side Osijek 3-0 at Upton Park to take firm control of their UEFA Cup first-round tie.
Back in continental competition for the first time in over 18 years, Harry Redknapp's side combined patience with quality to secure a commanding first-leg advantage. After a lively but largely even opening, the breakthrough arrived just before half-time when Paulo Wanchope applied the finishing touch from close range to give the Hammers a deserved lead.
Any hopes of an Osijek recovery disappeared moments after the restart. Goalkeeper Mario Galinovic brilliantly denied Trevor Sinclair, only to gift Paolo Di Canio a goal soon afterwards with a misplaced pass. The Italian gleefully accepted the invitation, rounding the stranded keeper before rolling the ball into an empty net.
With confidence flowing, West Ham produced their best football of the evening. A slick move involving John Moncur, Sinclair and Di Canio carved open the Croatian defence, allowing Frank Lampard to surge into the area and rifle home a third goal. It was the England Under-21 midfielder's fifth goal of the campaign and effectively put the tie beyond Osijek.
At the back, Javier Margas enjoyed a comfortable return to the side alongside Steve Potts and Igor Štimac, while Shaka Hislop was rarely troubled as Osijek struggled to create clear opportunities.
The visitors showed spirit late on but failed to find the away goal they desperately needed. Instead, West Ham's first UEFA Cup match ended with a convincing victory that left them on the brink of the second round and dreaming of a memorable European adventure.
EVERTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Margas
Lomas
Stimac
Moncur
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
West Ham's unbeaten start to the season came to an end in difficult conditions at Goodison Park, where a rare mistake from Shaka Hislop handed Everton all three points.
In a closely contested encounter, clear chances were at a premium and the Hammers will rue the opportunities they failed to convert. Paulo Wanchope came closest just before half-time when he raced clear after reading an awkward bounce, only for Paul Gerrard to deny him when a certain opening goal seemed likely.
Everton had enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, but resilient defending from Javier Margas and Igor Štimac kept the hosts at bay, while Frank Lampard's tireless midfield display helped West Ham stay competitive throughout. Former Hammer Don Hutchison squandered Everton's best first-half opportunity, blazing wide after Francis Jeffers had opened up the defence.
Despite carrying a thigh strain and a broken finger, Hislop produced several important saves, notably turning aside a powerful effort from Nick Barmby early in the second half. At the other end, West Ham spurned another golden chance when Lampard and Paolo Di Canio combined brilliantly, only for Gerrard to make a comfortable save.
The decisive moment arrived midway through the second half. Barmby surged through the heart of the West Ham defence before finding Jeffers, whose angled effort slipped through Hislop's grasp and into the net.
It was a cruel way for the Hammers to lose a match of such fine margins. Having matched Everton for long periods and created the better openings, Harry Redknapp's side left Merseyside feeling that at least a point had escaped their grasp.
COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Foe
Lomas
Stimac
Moncur
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller (ADAM NEWTON)
West Ham left Highfield Road empty-handed after a frustrating afternoon in which missed chances and John Moncur's dismissal proved costly. Harry Redknapp's side created enough opportunities to win the game but paid dearly for their wastefulness in front of goal. Trevor Sinclair tested Magnus Hedman inside three minutes and, after Frank Lampard was hauled back chasing the loose ball, Paulo Wanchope's vigorous appeals for a penalty earned him a booking instead.
Lampard then squandered a glorious opening, blazing Sinclair's cut-back high over the bar from close range. At the other end, Shaka Hislop, eager to atone for his costly error at Everton, produced a series of assured saves to deny Mustapha Hadji, Youssef Chippo and Robbie Keane.
The decisive moment arrived nine minutes before the break. After a contentious free-kick was awarded against Igor Štimac, Gary McAllister's inswinging delivery was met by Hadji, who rose highest to head Coventry into the lead.
West Ham continued to create chances but lacked a clinical edge. Wanchope wasted a one-on-one opportunity before the interval, while Hedman produced fine saves to deny both Lampard and the Costa Rican after the break.
Any hopes of a comeback were damaged further when Moncur collected two needless bookings, the second for kicking out at McAllister, reducing the Hammers to ten men for the closing stages.
Despite the defeat, Redknapp took encouragement from his side's attacking play, though missed chances and indiscipline ultimately condemned West Ham to a second successive setback. The afternoon did at least see a first-team debut for young Adam Newton.
NK OSIJEK (Croatia) UEFA Cup (First Round 2nd leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Ferdinand R. (Ruddock)
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair (Newton)
Kitson
Di Canio (Wanchope)
Lampard
Keller
Paul Kitson seized his opportunity as West Ham completed a comfortable passage into the UEFA Cup second round with a 3-1 victory over Osijek in Croatia, securing a commanding 6-1 aggregate triumph.
With Paulo Wanchope and Paolo Di Canio having dominated the headlines in the opening weeks of the season, Kitson was handed a rare start and repaid Harry Redknapp's faith with the goal that effectively ended the tie. After weathering an energetic opening from the hosts, the striker combined neatly with Di Canio before drifting into space to meet the Italian's pinpoint cross with a firm header midway through the first half.
Already holding a 3-0 first-leg advantage, West Ham were now firmly in control. Rio Ferdinand, returning after injury, helped marshal a solid defence, while Shaka Hislop was rarely troubled despite Osijek's bright start. Di Canio orchestrated much of the Hammers' attacking play and also created opportunities for Frank Lampard and Kitson as the visitors gradually tightened their grip.
West Ham remained dangerous after the interval. Marc-Vivien Foe struck a post and Kitson was denied a second goal by an excellent save before Stanko Bubalo briefly revived home hopes with an equaliser. Any thoughts of a Croatian comeback were swiftly extinguished when substitute Neil Ruddock marked his return from injury by crashing home Lampard's cross seven minutes from time.
Deep into stoppage time, Foe added a third with his first goal for the club to complete another impressive European performance.
Kitson's crucial opener laid the foundations, while Ruddock and Foe provided the finishing touches as West Ham continued their UEFA Cup adventure in emphatic fashion.
ARSENAL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Ruddock
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope (Kitson)
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur (Margas)
Paolo Di Canio inspired West Ham to a memorable London derby victory as the flamboyant Italian struck twice to sink Arsenal in an incident-packed encounter at Upton Park.
Fresh from a midweek Champions League trip to Barcelona, Arsenal began brightly and created the better early chances. Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Davor Šuker all tested the Hammers, but Shaka Hislop produced a series of fine saves to keep the visitors at bay.
West Ham struck first on the half-hour. After Di Canio's driving run caused confusion on the edge of the area, Frank Lampard's challenge allowed the ball to break kindly for Trevor Sinclair, whose cross was not fully cleared. Paulo Wanchope failed to force the ball home, but Di Canio reacted quickest to bundle in his fifth goal of the season.
The Gunners continued to threaten, with Bergkamp and Šuker both going close, yet it was West Ham who struck again with a moment of genuine brilliance midway through the second half. Collecting a long pass inside the penalty area, Di Canio deftly flicked the ball over Martin Keown before rifling an unstoppable finish into the top corner.
Šuker reduced the deficit four minutes later after a defensive lapse, setting up a tense finale. Tempers then flared as Patrick Vieira, already booked for fouling Di Canio, was shown a second yellow card after another challenge on the Italian. Marc-Vivien Foe was also dismissed late on for a second caution.
Arsenal pressed desperately for an equaliser, but Hislop's outstanding save from Bergkamp preserved a famous West Ham victory, with Di Canio's brilliance proving the difference on a memorable afternoon in East London.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH : Worthington Cup (Third Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Cole
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope (Kitson)
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
West Ham eventually overcame stubborn Bournemouth resistance to book their place in the fourth round, but Harry Redknapp's side were forced to work far harder than expected before goals from Marc Keller and Frank Lampard settled the tie.
Facing the club he had managed for a decade, Redknapp fielded a strong side and saw early flashes of promise, particularly from Joe Cole, whose trickery repeatedly unsettled the visitors. Yet Bournemouth matched the Hammers for long periods and even threatened through Steve Robinson and Eddie Howe, while Shaka Hislop was required to make a brave save at the feet of Darren Anderton's replacement Stein.
West Ham gradually began to impose themselves before the interval. Lampard was denied by a fine save, Paolo Di Canio saw a deflected effort drift narrowly wide, and Mathieu Chalmé? (Mean in original) cleared Paulo Wanchope's header off the line as Bournemouth clung on.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the hour. After Lampard's shot was blocked, Keller reacted quickest to rifle an unstoppable 18-yard drive into the corner. Bournemouth still carried a threat, striking a post from a dangerous free-kick, but the Hammers remained in control.
Any lingering doubts were removed 13 minutes from time when Di Canio's deep cross was nodded down in the six-yard box and Lampard reacted sharply to prod home the decisive second goal.
It was far from a vintage performance, but West Ham ultimately had too much quality for their determined Second Division opponents and safely progressed to a fourth-round trip to Birmingham City.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Lomas
Stimac
Moncur (Forrest)
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller (Cole)
West Ham's afternoon at the Riverside unravelled in controversy as a red card for Shaka Hislop and a series of pivotal incidents condemned Harry Redknapp's side to defeat.
The Hammers felt aggrieved as early as the 10th minute when Paolo Di Canio burst into the area and went down under a challenge from Gary Pallister. Referee Uriah Rennie waved away strong penalty appeals and compounded West Ham's frustration by booking the Italian for diving.
Before that, Middlesbrough had already threatened through Hamilton Ricard, while at the other end Mark Schwarzer denied John Moncur and Paulo Wanchope as both sides searched for an opening. The match turned decisively on 26 minutes when Steve Lomas's backpass struck Rio Ferdinand and ricocheted into Ricard's path. As the striker lobbed the stranded defence, Hislop instinctively handled the ball outside his area and was immediately sent off, leaving the Hammers down to ten men for the third successive Premier League match.
Substitute goalkeeper Craig Forrest survived the resulting free-kick, but Middlesbrough eventually made their advantage count early in the second half. Forrest could only push Paul Ince's powerful drive onto the crossbar and Dean Gordon? No, it was Brian Deane who reacted quickest to force home the rebound.
Di Canio came close to rescuing an equaliser, but Boro always looked the more threatening side. After Deane and Christian Ziege squandered chances, Neil Armstrong sealed victory in the closing moments, prodding home after Craig Hignett's cross deflected kindly off Ferdinand.
A contest overshadowed by controversy ultimately left West Ham feeling both aggrieved and frustrated, as discipline and misfortune again proved costly.
STEAUA BUCHAREST (Romania) UEFA Cup (Second Round 1st leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts (Margas)
Ruddock
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Moncur
Di Canio (Cole)
Lampard
Wanchope
West Ham's UEFA Cup adventure hit rough seas in Bucharest as Steaua București claimed a deserved first-leg advantage, leaving Harry Redknapp's side with a mountain to climb back at Upton Park.
The Romanians seized control from the outset on a freezing night at the Ghencea Stadium, with Shaka Hislop quickly finding himself under pressure. The goalkeeper was forced into a succession of saves, denying Ionel Dănciulescu, Adrian Ilie and Viorel Ciocoiu as Steaua's slick passing and movement repeatedly exposed the Hammers.
Despite being second best for long spells, West Ham had chances to snatch a priceless away goal. Marc-Vivien Foe was denied after Paulo Wanchope's breakaway pass, while Wanchope himself squandered the rebound after John Moncur's powerful drive had been spilled by Martin Tudor.
Steaua's pressure eventually told six minutes before the break when Roșu slipped behind a static defence and steered a low finish beyond Hislop. West Ham's hopes suffered a further blow after the interval when a mix-up at the back gifted Adrian Ilie a simple second goal shortly after Paolo Di Canio had been replaced by Joe Cole.
The teenager injected energy and urgency into the visitors' attack, but West Ham could not find the breakthrough they desperately needed. Frank Lampard had a header ruled out for offside and later came agonisingly close when, after his initial effort was saved, he clipped the crossbar with the follow-up.
It was a difficult night for the Hammers, who never fully came to terms with Steaua's quality and were left facing a daunting task if they were to keep their European campaign alive.
SUNDERLAND
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas (Moncur)
Stimac (Ruddock)
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope (Kitson)
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
Trevor Sinclair rescued West Ham with a dramatic last-gasp equaliser as the Hammers denied ten-man Sunderland the chance to reach the top of the Premiership.
The visitors played much of the match with ten men after Steve Bould was sent off for an off-the-ball incident involving Paulo Wanchope after just 19 minutes. Yet Sunderland responded superbly to the setback and stunned Upton Park four minutes later when Niall Quinn controlled Nicky Summerbee's free-kick and crossed for Kevin Phillips, who escaped his markers to head home his 13th goal of the season.
West Ham had dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout. Thomas Sørensen frustrated the hosts with a string of outstanding saves, denying Frank Lampard and Paolo Di Canio, while both Di Canio and Marc Keller struck the woodwork. Trevor Sinclair was also thwarted on several occasions as Sunderland clung desperately to their advantage.
After the interval the pressure intensified. Wanchope headed against Sørensen, missed from close range and was eventually forced off after a bruising encounter. Di Canio came agonisingly close when his header struck the inside of the post, while the inspired Danish goalkeeper continued to repel everything the Hammers threw at him.
Sunderland almost sealed victory late on, but substitute Marco Di Vaio? No, it was David Dichio who squandered a clear opportunity on the break. That miss proved costly. Deep into stoppage time, Sinclair won possession on the edge of the area, exchanged passes with Di Canio and delicately lifted his finish beneath the advancing Sørensen.
It was a deserved reward for West Ham's persistence and a fitting climax for the bloodied but unbowed Sinclair, whose stoppage-time strike snatched a dramatic point from the jaws of defeat.
LIVERPOOL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Ruddock
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope
Kitson
Lampard
Keller
West Ham's miserable record at Anfield continued as a costly defensive lapse handed Liverpool a narrow victory despite an encouraging away performance from Harry Redknapp's side.
With Paolo Di Canio absent, much of West Ham's creativity came through teenager Joe Cole, whose skilful running repeatedly unsettled the home defence. Trevor Sinclair and Frank Lampard also threatened, while Paul Kitson delivered several dangerous balls into the penalty area that deserved better finishing.
Liverpool, themselves missing key strikers Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler, created little of note in an evenly balanced first half. Shaka Hislop dealt comfortably with efforts from Patrik Berger and Jamie Redknapp, while at the other end Sinclair fired narrowly wide and Cole's surging runs caused growing concern for the hosts.
Just as the interval approached, however, West Ham gifted Liverpool the decisive goal. Alex Song's low cross flashed across the six-yard box, evading both Neil Ruddock and Rio Ferdinand before Titi Camara slid in at the far post to score on an emotional evening for the Guinean striker.
The Hammers responded positively after the break. Lampard tested Sander Westerveld with a fierce drive and Kitson came close as Liverpool began to look increasingly nervous protecting their slender lead. Cole continued to impress, weaving through challenges and creating openings, but West Ham lacked the quality in the final ball and finishing touch to make their pressure count.
As the match wore on, chances became increasingly scarce and Liverpool held firm. Camara's opportunistic strike ultimately proved enough, condemning West Ham to a fourth consecutive away league defeat despite a display that suggested they deserved at least a point.
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Lomas
Margas
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Moncur
Wanchope
Kitson
Lampard
Keller
League leaders Leeds United underlined their title credentials with a deserved victory over an injury-ravaged West Ham side at Elland Road, condemning the Hammers to another frustrating away defeat.
Already without several key players and losing Trevor Sinclair to injury before kick-off, West Ham spent much of the afternoon on the back foot as Leeds dominated possession and controlled midfield through Lee Bowyer and David Batty. Harry Kewell was a constant menace, twice forcing excellent saves from Shaka Hislop, who played a major role in keeping the scores level at the interval.
Leeds repeatedly threatened in a one-sided first half. Kewell curled efforts towards goal, Michael Bridges created danger from the right and only determined defending from Javier Margas prevented the breakthrough. By contrast, the Hammers offered little in attack, with Paul Kitson's tame effort their only meaningful first-half attempt.
The pressure finally told 11 minutes after the restart. Bowyer's cross was only partially cleared and Ian Harte seized on the loose ball, driving an unstoppable left-footed strike beyond the stranded Hislop from 15 yards.
Joe Cole's introduction midway through the second half injected much-needed energy into West Ham's attack and briefly shifted momentum. Kitson miskicked from a promising position before firing narrowly over, while Frank Lampard forced Nigel Martyn into an outstanding save from a goal-bound free-kick.
However, Leeds remained largely in control and comfortably saw out the contest. Hislop's earlier heroics ensured the margin remained narrow, but David O'Leary's side were worthy winners after dominating for long periods and limiting the Hammers to only sporadic attacking threats.
STEAUA BUCHAREST (Romania) UEFA Cup (Second Round 2nd leg)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas
Ruddock
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller (Kitson)
West Ham's UEFA Cup dream came to a frustrating end at Upton Park as a combination of missed chances, inspired goalkeeping and sheer bad luck allowed Steaua Bucharest to protect their 2-0 first-leg advantage.
Knowing they needed an early breakthrough, the Hammers launched wave after wave of attacks from the opening whistle. Frank Lampard tested Martin Tudor Ritli with a fierce volley, Paulo Wanchope saw the ball hacked away from his feet, and the hosts repeatedly threatened without finding the breakthrough their dominance deserved.
Paolo Di Canio endured a torrid evening at the hands of Steaua's uncompromising defence, while Joe Cole's lively running injected urgency and creativity throughout. Wanchope struck a post with a downward header, Trevor Sinclair was denied by Ritli's legs, and Lampard sent a succession of efforts narrowly wide as West Ham piled on the pressure.
At the back, Javier Margas produced an outstanding display and for long periods it was one-way traffic. Yet despite their dominance, the elusive goal never arrived. The visitors even threatened sporadically on the counter-attack, with Ionel Dănciulescu going close and Adrian Ilie rattling the post with a stunning strike before Shaka Hislop made several important saves.
The second half brought more frustration. Substitute Paul Kitson fired into the side-netting after another goalkeeping spill, Di Canio slid a chance wide, Sinclair struck the woodwork with an audacious effort, and Wanchope saw a header cleared off the line.
It was one of those nights. West Ham created enough chances to win several matches, yet somehow failed to score. Their European adventure ended not through being outplayed, but through an agonising inability to turn overwhelming pressure into the goals they so desperately needed.
CHELSEA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Cole (Ruddock)
Wanchope
Lampard
Keller
West Ham finally halted a miserable run of away defeats with a hard-earned goalless draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, producing a determined display just days after their UEFA Cup disappointment.
Without the injured Paolo Di Canio, Harry Redknapp reshaped his attack by pushing Trevor Sinclair alongside Paulo Wanchope, and the visitors made the brighter start. Sinclair's dangerous cross-shot narrowly evaded Wanchope, while Marc-Vivien Foe, enjoying one of his most influential performances in claret and blue, fired a powerful effort just over the bar.
In a fiercely contested London derby, chances were scarce. Joe Cole, on the eve of his 18th birthday, was West Ham's chief creative spark, repeatedly driving at Chelsea's star-studded midfield. One dazzling run forced Didier Deschamps into a cynical foul, while Foe, Steve Lomas and Javier Margas all played their part in a combative first-half display that saw the referee brandish a host of yellow cards.
Chelsea improved after the break and came closest to breaking the deadlock. Paulo Wanchope cleared Gianfranco Zola's corner off the line after Tore Andre Flo's header, while Dan Petrescu and Deschamps both missed presentable opportunities. Craig Forrest, deputising in goal, also stood firm when tested.
The Hammers suffered a late blow when Margas was controversially sent off for a challenge on Deschamps with four minutes remaining. Even so, the ten men dug deep and repelled Chelsea's late pressure.
It was not a classic encounter, but after five successive away defeats and a painful European exit, West Ham's resilience earned a deserved point and provided a welcome lift to confidence.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Ruddock
Cole
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
Paolo Di Canio was once again at the centre of the drama as West Ham fought back to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in one of the season's most entertaining encounters.
The visitors squandered an early chance through Benito Carbone before West Ham struck first midway through the opening half. Trevor Sinclair's shot was parried by Kevin Pressman and, after a scramble in the area, Paulo Wanchope looped a header into the net. Wednesday responded strongly, however, with Benito Carbone levelling from 20 yards before Wim Jonk volleyed the Owls ahead shortly after the restart.
West Ham drew level on the hour in controversial circumstances. Trevor Sinclair went down in the area under a challenge and Di Canio calmly converted the resulting penalty, much to the fury of the visitors. Their frustration was short-lived, though, as just three minutes later Andy Booth restored Wednesday's lead with a diving header from Ian Hendon's cross.
The turning point came on 68 minutes when Danny Sonner, already booked moments earlier, hauled down Di Canio and received a second yellow card. With the numerical advantage, the Hammers seized control. Neil Ruddock's free-kick was nodded down by Wanchope, Sinclair cleverly laid the ball into the path of Marc-Vivien Foe, who drilled home the equaliser from 15 yards.
Frank Lampard then completed the turnaround in style. Bursting forward on a surging 30-yard run, the midfielder unleashed a low strike from the edge of the area that squeezed beyond Pressman and inside the post.
In a remarkable seven-goal contest packed with controversy, momentum swings and quality finishing, West Ham emerged victorious after showing the resilience to recover from behind twice and punish a tiring ten-man Sheffield Wednesday side.
LIVERPOOL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas
Ruddock
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope (Kitson)
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
Trevor Sinclair's first-half strike proved enough to end Liverpool's eight-match unbeaten run as West Ham continued their revival with a hard-fought victory at Upton Park.
Sinclair was at the centre of much of the action throughout a scrappy contest. Early on, his challenge on Patrik Berger inadvertently ended the Liverpool midfielder's afternoon, while a loose backpass later gifted Michael Owen a clear opening. Fortunately for the Hammers, Shaka Hislop stood firm and smothered the England striker's attempted chip.
Liverpool felt aggrieved just before the interval when Owen tumbled under a challenge from Neil Ruddock and was instead booked for simulation. Moments later, West Ham made them pay. Steve Lomas surged down the flank and crossed for Paolo Di Canio, whose shot was spilled by Sander Westerveld. Sinclair reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound to fire home the decisive goal.
The visitors thought they had equalised shortly after the restart when Owen headed into the net, only for the effort to be ruled out after the assistant referee judged Alex Song's cross to have crossed the byline. Liverpool continued to threaten through Stephen Thompson, Danny Murphy and Steven Gerrard, but lacked a clinical edge.
West Ham might have wrapped up the points sooner. Joe Cole impressed with another lively display and provided a teasing cross that Di Canio diverted onto the post. Incredibly, Paulo Wanchope blasted the rebound over from six yards, while Marc Keller and Cole also went close.
Liverpool created opportunities of their own, but Sinclair's predatory finish separated the sides as the Hammers secured a valuable victory and snapped the Reds' unbeaten sequence.
BIRMINGHAM CITY : Worthington Cup (Fourth Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
GARY CHARLES (Cole)
Margas (Sinclair)
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Foe
Wanchope (Kitson)
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
West Ham looked destined for a painful Worthington Cup exit before two dramatic late goals turned despair into jubilation and secured a place in the quarter-finals.
Birmingham City stunned the Hammers after just eight minutes when Martin O'Connor's run created the opening for Darren Hyde to fire home at the second attempt. Harry Redknapp's side responded impressively on 20 minutes, Steve Lomas collecting Frank Lampard's short free-kick before unleashing a magnificent 35-yard strike that flew beyond Ian Bennett and into the net.
The hosts should then have taken control, but Paulo Wanchope squandered a glorious chance after excellent work from Paolo Di Canio. The miss proved costly when Birmingham regained the lead on the stroke of half-time, Martin Grainger curling a superb free-kick over the wall and beyond Shaka Hislop.
Redknapp's response was decisive. The introductions of Trevor Sinclair, Paul Kitson and Joe Cole transformed the contest, injecting pace and urgency into West Ham's play. Marc-Vivien Foe, Lampard and Cole all went close as Birmingham battled valiantly to protect their advantage.
With time running out, the Hammers finally found a breakthrough. Three minutes from the end, Lomas delivered a deep cross and Di Canio cleverly pulled the ball back for Kitson to bundle home the equaliser.
Extra time beckoned, but West Ham had other ideas. With only seconds remaining, Di Canio produced one final moment of inspiration, picking out the perfectly timed run of Cole, who met the pass with a composed half-volley for his first senior goal and a dramatic winner.
The remarkable late turnaround earned West Ham a quarter-final tie against Aston Villa and sent Upton Park into raptures.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Lomas
Margas (Potts)
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Sinclair
Kitson
Di Canio (Wanchope)
Cole (Minto)
Lampard
West Ham dug deep to earn a hard-fought point against Tottenham Hotspur, thanks largely to an inspired display from Shaka Hislop after Steve Lomas was harshly dismissed on the stroke of half-time.
A scrappy first half offered little excitement, although Joe Cole and David Ginola occasionally provided flashes of quality. The match's defining controversy arrived just before the interval. Lomas was first booked following an off-the-ball incident with Ramon Vega's replacement, Ramon Dominguez, and moments later received a second yellow card for an accidental follow-through while attempting a clearance, leaving the Hammers to play the entire second half with ten men.
With West Ham forced onto the defensive, Spurs dominated possession after the break but found Hislop in unbeatable form. The Trinidad and Tobago international produced a string of outstanding saves, holding fierce efforts from Tim Sherwood and Ginola before reacting brilliantly to deny Sherwood again from close range.
Javier Margas, outstanding at the heart of the defence, was later forced off with a hamstring injury, while Marc-Vivien Foe came closest to stealing an unlikely winner when his powerful volley from Paolo Di Canio's free-kick struck Ian Walker from point-blank range.
Frank Lampard also tested the Spurs goalkeeper from distance, but the contest increasingly became the Hislop show. He first pawed away Chris Perry's looping effort before producing the save of the match, tipping Neil Armstrong's diving header onto the post in the closing stages.
It ensured a rare goalless draw between the rivals and preserved a valuable point for a resilient, disciplined West Ham side that refused to buckle despite playing half the match a man short.
TRANMERE ROVERS : FA Cup (Third Round)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts (Kitson)
Minto
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Sinclair
Lomas
Di Canio (Wanchope)
Cole
Lampard
West Ham's FA Cup hopes were undone by a spirited Tranmere Rovers side as Harry Redknapp's men crashed out at Prenton Park after a disappointing display.
The warning signs were there from the outset. Tranmere attacked with intent, forcing Shaka Hislop into an early point-blank save from Gareth Hazell, while West Ham struggled to find any rhythm with a reshuffled side that lacked width and balance. Midway through the first half the hosts made their pressure count. After one of Dave Challinor's trademark long throws was only partially cleared, David Kelly? No, it was Jason Henry who lashed a fierce 20-yard volley beyond Hislop to give the Division One side a deserved lead.
The Hammers had chances to respond before the break. Frank Lampard forced John Achterberg Murphy into a fine save and Neil Ruddock somehow struck the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy. Paolo Di Canio also managed to beat Tranmere's offside trap, only to chip tamely at the goalkeeper.
Redknapp threw on Paul Kitson and later Paulo Wanchope in search of a way back, but neither could alter the course of the tie. Tranmere continued to threaten through Alan Mahon and Challinor, while West Ham's attacks repeatedly lacked conviction and precision.
A final opportunity arrived deep into stoppage time when Tranmere were penalised for a backpass. Trevor Sinclair rolled the indirect free-kick into a crowded six-yard area, but Rio Ferdinand scuffed the last chance wide.
It summed up a miserable afternoon for the Hammers, who were outfought, outthought and ultimately deservedly eliminated by determined lower-league opposition.
ASTON VILLA : Worthington Cup (Quarter Final)
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas
Ruddock
Cole (Kitson)
Sinclair
Wanchope (Omoyinmi)
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
West Ham thought they had booked their place in the Worthington Cup semi-finals after a dramatic penalty-shootout victory over Aston Villa, only for celebrations to be short-lived when it later emerged substitute Emmanuel Omoyinmi had been cup-tied, forcing the tie to be replayed.
Before the controversy surfaced, Upton Park had witnessed a classic cup tie. Aston Villa struck after just three minutes when Paul Merson's cross found Ian Taylor, who fired the visitors ahead. West Ham struggled to find a response and looked destined for elimination until Frank Lampard arrived on cue 20 minutes from time, steering home Paolo Di Canio's clever cut-back after excellent work by Rio Ferdinand.
The drama was only beginning. With just seconds remaining, Joachim's cross picked out Dion Dublin, who rifled Villa back in front and appeared to have won the tie. Yet almost immediately, Paul Kitson won a stoppage-time penalty and Di Canio kept his nerve to send David James the wrong way and force extra time.
Neither side could find a winner during the additional 30 minutes, sending the contest to a penalty shootout. Despite misses from Trevor Sinclair and Mark Wright, the scores remained level after ten penalties. Marc Keller then converted in sudden death before Shaka Hislop produced a decisive save from Gareth Southgate, sparking wild celebrations among the home support.
Those celebrations, however, proved premature. Barely 48 hours later, the discovery that Omoyinmi had been ineligible transformed one of Upton Park's most memorable cup nights into a source of frustration, with both clubs forced to do it all again.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lomas
Ruddock
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
Still reeling from the fallout of the Worthington Cup controversy, West Ham threatened an extraordinary comeback against reigning treble winners Manchester United but ultimately fell short in a pulsating encounter at Upton Park.
The Hammers endured a nightmare opening 20 minutes. Dwight Yorke headed home David Beckham's cross after eight minutes, then turned provider four minutes later as Ryan Giggs finished off a flowing move. Things went from bad to worse when Giggs struck again with the aid of a deflection to leave West Ham staring at a daunting 3-0 deficit and many home supporters heading for the exits.
But Paolo Di Canio refused to surrender. Midway through the first half he volleyed home from close range after Neil Ruddock had nodded on Steve Lomas's free-kick, breathing life into the contest and reigniting the Upton Park crowd.
United resumed strongly after the interval, with Shaka Hislop producing a fine save to deny Giggs a hat-trick, but Di Canio struck again on 51 minutes. Marc-Vivien Foe won possession, Marc Keller threaded the pass and the Italian raced clear before coolly rounding Raimond van der Gouw to make it 3-2.
Suddenly West Ham sensed the improbable. Lampard, Keller and Paulo Wanchope all threatened, while Di Canio squandered a glorious chance to level when through on goal once more, his attempted chip dropping into Van der Gouw's hands.
United immediately punished the miss. Within a minute Giggs crossed from the left and Yorke slipped in front of Ruddock to score his second and seal a thrilling 4-2 victory.
Despite defeat, Di Canio's brilliance ensured West Ham pushed the champions far harder than anyone could have imagined after that disastrous opening spell.
WIMBLEDON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Foe
Ruddock
Margas
Sinclair
Di Canio
Wanchope
Lampard
Cole
West Ham looked set to end their four-month wait for an away league victory before a late goalkeeping error gifted Wimbledon a share of the spoils at Selhurst Park.
Shaka Hislop was both hero and villain on an afternoon that ended in frustration for the Hammers. The Trinidad and Tobago international produced a series of excellent saves to keep Wimbledon at bay, notably diving bravely at Jason Euell's feet and later denying Neil Ardley from point-blank range. Yet with victory in sight, he dropped a routine corner and allowed Ardley to snatch a late equaliser.
Wimbledon had taken a deserved first-half lead when Hermann Hreiðarsson rose unmarked to head home from Andy Kimble's corner. The Icelandic defender had earlier seen another effort cleared off the line by Julian Dicks, serving notice of the aerial threat the Dons posed throughout.
West Ham struggled for fluency before the interval but were handed a lifeline in stoppage time. Paolo Di Canio's cross found Trevor Sinclair ghosting in at the far post to head home and level the scores against the run of play.
The Hammers improved significantly after the break. Paulo Wanchope went close on several occasions as he linked well with Di Canio, while Joe Cole's introduction added further attacking impetus. Their pressure finally paid off ten minutes from time when Sinclair surged forward and Di Canio delivered a superb byline cross for Frank Lampard to glance home from close range.
That strike appeared certain to secure all three points. However, when Kimble floated over a late corner, Hislop inexplicably spilled the ball under pressure and Ardley gratefully slid home the loose ball.
It was a cruel ending for West Ham, who had fought back superbly but were left to reflect on another away victory that slipped agonisingly through their fingers.
DERBY COUNTY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Minto (Keller)
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Sinclair
Di Canio
Wanchope
Lampard
Cole
Paolo Di Canio produced a moment of Millennium magic, but West Ham were left to settle for a second successive draw as Derby County battled back to earn a point at Upton Park.
The visitors struck after only three minutes when Craig Burley's strong run opened up the West Ham defence and, after Rio Ferdinand's challenge, the ball broke kindly for Dean Sturridge to drill a low finish beyond Shaka Hislop. Derby nearly doubled their lead soon afterwards, only for Hislop to brilliantly repel another effort from Sturridge.
West Ham's response arrived in spectacular fashion on 21 minutes. Collecting a short corner from Julian Dicks, Di Canio unleashed a breathtaking dipping effort from a seemingly impossible angle that arched beneath the crossbar and sent Upton Park into raptures. It was a goal worthy of closing the century.
Di Canio almost repeated the feat later in the half, forcing Mart Poom into a stunning save, while Frank Lampard also tested the Derby goalkeeper with a fierce angled drive. After the break, Joe Cole flashed a long-range effort narrowly wide and West Ham pushed for a winner, with Wanchope and Di Canio continuing to probe.
As Derby increasingly settled for a point, the Hammers struggled to find a breakthrough. Poom remained inspired, producing another fine save from Lampard late on, while deep into stoppage time both Marc Keller and Di Canio were unable to convert following Trevor Sinclair's surging run into the penalty area.
In the end, Di Canio's moment of brilliance earned West Ham a point, but despite dominating large spells of the contest, Harry Redknapp's side could not find the winning goal their efforts perhaps deserved.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts
Minto
Foe
Ferdinand R.
Stimac
Sinclair
Cole
Carrick
Lampard
Keller (SHAUN BYRNE)
REPORT:
ASTON VILLA : Worthington Cup (Quarter Final) Rematch
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Potts (Ruddock)
Minto
Ferdinand R.
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair (Keller)
Lomas
Di Canio
Lampard
Cole
REPORT:
ASTON VILLA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas
Stimac
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller
REPORT:
LEIESTER CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop (Forrest)
Ferdinand R.
Margas
Lomas (Carrick)
Ruddock
Cole
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Keller (Minto)
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Charles
Minto
Ferdinand R.
Stimac
Margas (Moncur)
Sinclair
Cole
Wanchope
Lomas
Lampard
REPORT:
BRADFORD CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Hislop (STEPHEN BYWATER)
Charles (Kitson)
Minto
Lomas
Stimac
Ferdinand R.
Sinclair
Cole
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur
REPORT:
EVERTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
SASA ILIC
Ferdinand R.
Pearce S.
Lomas
Stimac
Moncur
Sinclair
Cole
Wanchope
Kitson
Keller
REPORT:
WATFORD
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Pearce S.
Minto
Foe
Stimac
Ferdinand R.
Sinclair
Lomas
Wanchope
Lampard
Moncur
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Pearce S. (Minto)
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Cole (Di Canio)
Wanchope
Lampard
Moncur
REPORT:
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Ruddock
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur (Cole)
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope (Kitson) (Ruddock)
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur (Cole)
REPORT:
WIMBLEDON
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Lomas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
FREDERIC KANOUTE
Di Canio
Lampard
Moncur (Keller)
REPORT:
MANCHESTER UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Potts
Minto
Lomas
Ferdinand R.
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Kanoute
Lampard
Moncur
REPORT:
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Forrest
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Ruddock (Charles)
Stimac (Margas)
Foe
Keller (Wanchope)
Cole
Kanoute
Di Canio
Lampard
REPORT:
DERBY COUNTY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
IAN FEUER
Ferdinand R.
Minto
Margas
Stimac (Charles)
Foe
Sinclair
Cole (Carrick)
Wanchope
Di Canio
Lampard
REPORT:
COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Feuer
Ferdinand R.
Minto (Newton)
Carrick
Stimac
Margas
SinclairDi Canio
Wanchope
Kanoute
Lampard
REPORT:
MIDDLESBROUGH
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Feuer
Ferdinand R.
Keller
Margas
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Kanoute
Di Canio
Lampard
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Bywater
Potts
Keller
Moncur
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Kanoute
Di Canio
Carrick
REPORT:
SUNDERLAND
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Bywater
Potts
Moncur
Ferdinand R.
Stimac
Foe
Sinclair
Wanchope
Kanoute
Di Canio
Carrick
REPORT:
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
? - (?)
Date
Ref:
Att:
Bywater
Margas
Ferdinand R.
Stimac
Potts
Sinclair
Foe
Moncur
Di Canio
Wanchope
Kanoute
REPORT: