Premiership
West Ham United 0-1 Reading 

Sunday, 1st October 2006
by East Stand Martin

You know, a classical comprehensive education taught me something important in life. I learnt it from Shakespeare. When it thunders and pisses it down something shitty is invariably going to happen.



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Player Ratings

Roy Carroll
A quiet game for the big keeper who had little chance with the goal. Handled well despite the adverse consitions.


Jonathan Spector
You had to feel a little bit sorry for the American full-back who was making his home debut. On the numerous occasions he found himself in space on the right he had virtually no support further afield on the flank. Defensively he performed okay.


Paul Konchesky
Disappointing thus far this season, Konch did a good job in defence although his distribution was poor at times. Lucky to stay on the field when he performed what could have been viewed as a professional foul in the final minute to prevent Reading breaking away for a second goal, with Roy Carroll stranded upfield.


Christian Dailly
A solid performance from the Scottish international, making his first start of the season at centre-half.


Danny Gabbidon
His best showing of the season so far. Gabbs kept the dangerous Leroy Lita in his pocket although again, once Reading had taken the lead they rarely threatened to add a second as they chose to concentrate on their defensive duties.


Hayden Mullins
Back in the side in place of Javi Mascherano the former Palace man put in a decent performance, winning plenty of ball and showing the kind of urgency that Mascherano is perhaps yet to indicate he has come to terms with.


Nigel Reo-Coker
Desepite numerous calls for the captain to be dropped ahead of today's game Pardew once again kept faith in him. His performance was better than in recent weeks but he continues to fail to offer anything in the attacking third of the pitch - which he needs to, as the more attacking of the two central midfielders.


Yossi Benayoun
Desepite numerous calls for the captain to be dropped ahead of today's game Pardew once again kept faith in him. His performance was better than in recent weeks but he continues to fail to offer anything in the attacking third of the pitch - which he needs to, as the more attacking of the two central midfielders.


Matthew Etherington
Although he found himself in several good positions throughout the game too often his delivery was poor. Twice in the first half he spooned crosses beyond the back post when a low drive across the rain-drenched pitch may have been a better option.


Carlos Tevez
Carlos appeared to be under instruction to play higher up the pitch than in recent weeks although too often he dropped back in order to receive the ball into what should have been a midfielder's position (so much so that on more than one occasion he was a good 15 yards behind Nigel Reo-Coker). Another whose body language indicated that all is far from well.


Carlton Cole
The big man was rewarded for a decent showing in Palermo by being handed the chance to partner Carlos Tevez in the classic 'little and large' front line. Although he held the ball up well from Roy Carroll's bombs he struggled to become involved to any degree.



Substitutes

Teddy Sheringham
(Replaced Tevez, 71) Some delightful touches from Teddy and his introduction certainly appeared to lift the team in the closing stages.


Bobby Zamora
(Replaced Cole, 72) Fairly anonymous for the few minutes in which he played.


Marlon Harewood
(Replaced Reo-Coker, 85) Not enough time to make an impact.


Robert Green
Did not play.


Javier Mascherano
Did not play.



Match Facts

West Ham United: Roy Carroll, Jonathan Spector, Paul Konchesky, Christian Dailly, Danny Gabbidon, Hayden Mullins, Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun, Matthew Etherington, Carlos Tevez, Carlton Cole.

Goals: None.

Booked: Carlton Cole 53 Roy Carroll 81 Teddy Sheringham 90 Paul Konchesky 93    .

Sent Off: None sent off.     .

Reading: Hahnemann, De la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Sonko, Convey, Harper, Seol, Sidwell, Doyle, Lita..

Subs not used: .

Goals: Seol (2).

Booked: Seol (67), Long (87)..

Sent off: None.

Referee: U.Rennie.

Attendance: 34,872.

Man of the Match: Danny Gabbidon.