FA Premiership
West Ham United 4-0 Aston Villa 

Monday, 12th September 2005
by Gordon Thrower

As Lou Reed once sang: “oh such a perfect day…”



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Player Ratings

Roy Carroll
Had a couple of shaky moments ?EUR" Milner?EUR(TM)s cross against the post for one ?EUR" and he didn?EUR(TM)t look comfortable for a good few minutes after receiving treatment for injury. However he made up for the shaky moments with a couple of excellent stops.


Tomas Repka
A stormer. Kept his head in the light of some heavy challenges, put over some dangerous looking crosses and, had he kept the ball down early on, might even have netted himself.


Paul Konchesky
Got caught out of position once or twice but otherwise stuck to the task of keeping out the potentially tricky Milner.


Anton Ferdinand
Another one who seems to have made the transition between Championship and Premiership with few problems. Seems to relish the battle more and more each week.


Danny Gabbidon
Dare we whisper it but we seem to have a genuine centre-half partnership on our hands here. Another strong game.


Hayden Mullins
Has a lot of detractors, possibly because the job that he does is not one that immediately catches the eye. However he got through a prodigious amount of work and when one watches the flair of those such as Yossi one should remember the efforts of those like Mullins who allow them to perform.


Nigel Reo-Coker
Pre-season AP said he would be interested to see if NRC could adapt to the top flight as well as he himself said he would. He?EUR(TM)s certainly giving it a go. Decision-making a bit suspect when trying to emulate his Blackburn goal late on when others ?EUR" notably Zamora ?EUR" were better placed.


Yossi Benayoun
Having praised Mullins for his work-rate one then has to consider this chap. Quite apart from his undoubted skills, which were a constant threat, I lost count of the number of times he tracked back to win the ball back. The marvellous goal capped off a fine performance. If the editor will permit I?EUR(TM)ll name him as joint MOTM.


Matthew Etherington
Drifted in and out a bit but looked dangerous every time he was in the game. Was apparently disappointed to have been replaced following a minor knock.


Marlon Harewood
Against Blackburn and Newcastle he had put in a hard-working efforts. Against Bolton he had an off-day that led to him getting slaughtered ?EUR" so much so that AP thought long and hard about picking him for this one. Has obviously spent the international break working on his finishing as, where he might previously have snatched at a shot, he displayed a composure hitherto lacking. Pleased as punch for the lad and he is the other recipient of the joint MOTM award.


Teddy Sheringham
Although not the greatest of threats on goal his link-up play was a joy to behold. A whole 90 minutes as well ?EUR" maybe AP feared another tantrum if young Edward was subbed!



Substitutes

Shaun Newton
(Replaced Etherington, 70) Came on for Matty and enjoyed the run out.


Bobby Zamora
(Replaced Harewood, 76) Looked lively and got into some good positions ?EUR" he ought to have a quiet word with NRC about that shot.


Christian Dailly
(Replaced Mullins, 90) Came on towards the end to give Mullins a well-earned rest.


Shaka Hislop
Did not play.


Jeremie Aliadiere
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Roy Carroll, Tomas Repka, Paul Konchesky, Anton Ferdinand, Danny Gabbidon, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun, Matthew Etherington, Marlon Harewood, Teddy Sheringham.

Goals: Marlon Harewood 25 Marlon Harewood 29 Marlon Harewood 50 Yossi Benayoun 89            .

Booked: None booked.           .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Aston Villa: Sorensen, Hughes, Mellberg, Ridgewell, Bouma, Barry, Davis, McCann, Milner, Phillips, Baros.

Subs not used: Taylor, Cahill.

Goals: .

Booked: Barry (21).

Sent off: None.

Referee: R.Styles.

Attendance: 29,582.

Man of the Match: Anton Ferdinand.