ESPN Network:
ESPN.com
ESPN Deportes
Fantasy Games
|
|
|
| Monday, December 2, 2002 19:59 EST |
Loss puts heavy pressure on coach Roeder
[Reuters]
LONDON -- James Beattie struck two minutes
into injury time to give Southampton a 1-0 English premier
league win at West Ham United on Monday and pile the pressure on
Hammers boss Glenn Roeder.
Beattie swept in for his ninth goal in seven matches,
converting a pinpoint cross by substitute Brett Ormerod, to
reward Southampton for a good late fightback after West Ham had
controlled the first hour.
The result left West Ham rooted to the foot of the premier
league and still without a home win all season -- with the
pressure mounting on Roeder.
Roeder however was adamant he would not quit the club.
"That does not look like a team that doesn't want to play
for me," Roeder said afterwards. "Life has always been difficult
for me ... but I just kept working and working and working and
somehow managed to make a career (out of soccer).
"That's what we will keep doing on the training pitch, just
keep working hard."
Southampton, who beat champions Arsenal last week, remains
10th after only its second win in nine attempts at Upton Park.
The team arrived at the east London ground only 30 minutes
before kickoff on Monday because of traffic congestion and it
looked to be still on the bus in the first half as West Ham
totally dominated.
Jermain Defoe had the first clear chance after nine minutes,
hooking a volley wide when left unmarked six meters out, while
Trevor Sinclair was off target with a header five minutes later.
The best chance of the half came in the 35th minute when
defender Ian Pearce, playing up front in place of the injured
Freddie Kanoute, struck a firm shot goalwards but saw it well
saved by Finnish goalkeeper Antti Niemi.
Southampton came to life only in the last five minutes of
the first half as Beattie headed wide and Rory Delap forced
David James to make his first save of the night.
West Ham made all the early running again after the break,
with Paolo Di Canio, usually at the heart of things.
Defoe dragged a shot wide after an hour then forced Niemi
into another save minutes later.
Southampton finally dragged itself into the match and
Beattie was furious when the referee waved play-on after he had
been blatantly blocked by Czech defender Tomas Repka as he
advanced on goal 10 minutes from time.
Delap then almost embarrassed James, catching him in
possession, only for the England goalkeeper to make a scrambling
recovery.
West Ham was looking tired and a ragged and Gordon Strachan
was rewarded for his positive move in sending on Ormerod when
the former Blackpool striker picked out Beattie for the winner.
Strachan was delighted with the win, though somewhat
relieved.
"For an hour they were the better team. We went out and
looked like we weren't ready for the sort of "cup tie" football
we needed to win here," he said.
"But we played much better in the last half hour and I
thought Brett (Ormerod) was excellent."
Beattie added: "I think we got what we deserved for our
second half efforts.
"But West Ham have got quality players in the side and I'm
sure they'll get out of it."
The home fans, not so certain of an early escape,
demonstrated afterwards against chairman Terrence Brown, though
Roeder is the more likely man in the firing line.
"It's not helpful for the players to hear the chants from
the crowd as it doesn't make it easy for them," Roeder said.
"The way they played in the first half didn't look like a
team that doesn't want to play for me. I have a lot of
confidence in the players and it seems that was working for us
last season isn't working this year.
"(But) I have plenty of faith in these players and they keep
showing that they want to play for me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
