Premier League
West Ham United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 

Saturday, 1st January 2011
by Gordon Thrower

We'll be getting vertigo next.



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Player Ratings

Robert Green
Three good saves took the headlines though he'd have been disappointed had any of them beaten him.


Tal Ben-Haim
Decent shift at right back where he concentrated on the defensive side of things first but still found time to get forward and use the space afforded to him by the opposition.


Danny Gabbidon
Ok, but there were a few occasions when he got forward where he delayed getting the ball over when we had players in the box.


James Tomkins
About a year ago he had a complete nightmare against these opponents. His confidence appeared shot and he was left out of the team. In recent weeks he's shown his true colours.


Matthew Upson
Good battling performance and was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar.


Scott Parker
I suggest that his land-line should be disconnected and all mobile 'phones confiscated from the Parker household lest the inevitable poaching turns his head during the forthcoming transfer window. Another excellent stint at the heart of the side.


Radoslav Kovac
Another decent run out from the midfielder who finally seems to have worked out that he is actually allowed to about a bit. He's not overdoing it, mind but every little helps.


Junior Stanislas
Disappointing from the youngster who showed a reluctance to take on his opponent ?EUR" perhaps a video of Sears' performance might show him the way.


Fred Sears
Just about got my MOTM for this one though Tomkins pushed him close. We all want him to do well and I suppose it's possible that might add a spot of extra pressure on the lad. However, since his return he's brought pace and energy to the right side of midfield and the goal will do him a power of good.


Carlton Cole
We saw him at his best and his worst all in the same match. Some moments of beautiful control were contrasted against some daft moments that left you wondering if that was the same player who had just brought the ball down and laid it off so well. Still that superb dummy (chortle) will live on in the mind for a bit.


Frederic Piquionne
Sometimes it looked as if he and Cole had been playing together for a lifetime. Often it didn't. Some good link-up play but only once did he look like scoring.



Substitutes

Mark Noble
(Replaced Stanislas, 69 mins) A welcome return. Eased himself back for 20 minutes though he did get involved in the build up for the second.


Ruud Boffin
Did not play.


Winston Reid
Did not play.


Luis Boa Morte
Did not play.


Pablo Barrera
Did not play.


Zavon Hines
Did not play.


Victor Obinna
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Robert Green, Tal Ben-Haim, Danny Gabbidon, James Tomkins, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker, Radoslav Kovac, Junior Stanislas, Fred Sears, Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne.

Goals: Ronald Zubar og 51 Fred Sears 79                .

Booked: Radoslav Kovac 80          .

Sent off: None.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Hennessey, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Zubar, Jarvis, Stephen Ward, Milijas, Hunt, Ebanks-Blake .

Subs not used: Jones, Mujangi Bia, Hahnemann, Batth.

Goals: None.

Booked: Stearman (56).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Lee Probert.

Attendance: 33,500.

Man of the Match: Fred Sears.