- Date:07 May 2011
- Kick-off:15:00:00
- Venue:Upton Park
- Thomas Hitzlsperger (77:52)
- Jason Roberts (12:00)
Live Commentary
- 94mins
The referee blows for offside. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.
- 94mins
Foul by Jermaine Jones on Jonathan Spector, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger.
- 93mins
Roque Santa Cruz concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Bridge. Robert Green takes the direct free kick.
- 93mins
Mame Diouf leaves the field to be replaced by Ruben Rochina.
- 92mins
Jack Collison produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the goal.
- 92mins
Thomas Hitzlsperger takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Morten Gamst Pedersen manages to make a clearance.
- 92mins
Carlton Cole takes a shot. Blocked by Christopher Samba.
- 91mins
Demba Ba takes a shot. Blocked by Christopher Samba.
- 90mins
Thomas Hitzlsperger takes a shot. Blocked by Gael Givet.
- 89mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Martin Olsson on Frederic Piquionne. Free kick crossed by Thomas Hitzlsperger, Christopher Samba manages to make a clearance.
- 85mins
Thomas Hitzlsperger challenges Jermaine Jones unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.
- 84mins
Shot by Manuel da Costa. Save by Paul Robinson.
- 83mins
Frederic Piquionne fouled by Martin Olsson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger.
- 82mins
The referee penalises Manuel da Costa for handball. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the free kick.
- 81mins
Carlton Cole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Keith Andrews. Paul Robinson takes the free kick.
- 80mins
Roque Santa Cruz is penalised for a handball. Robert Green takes the direct free kick.
- 79mins
Morten Gamst Pedersen handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Thomas Hitzlsperger takes the direct free kick.
- 77mins
A goal is scored by Thomas Hitzlsperger from just outside the box to the bottom right corner of the goal. West Ham 1-1 Blackburn.The assist for the goal came from Carlton Cole.
- 76mins
Headed effort from close range by Demba Ba goes wide left of the target.
- 73mins
Unfair challenge on Manuel da Costa by Steven Nzonzi results in a free kick. Robert Green takes the free kick.
- 71mins
Shot from just outside the box by Wayne Bridge misses to the left of the target.
- 71mins
Mame Diouf takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Gabbidon.
- 67mins
Foul by Jonathan Spector on David Hoilett, free kick awarded. Jonathan Spector booked for unsporting behaviour. Jason Roberts goes off and Roque Santa Cruz comes on. Keith Andrews comes on in place of David Hoilett. Direct free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.
- 66mins
Demba Ba has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 65mins
Morten Gamst Pedersen fouled by Robbie Keane, the ref awards a free kick. Morten Gamst Pedersen restarts play with the free kick.
- 63mins
Corner taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger, save made by Paul Robinson.
- 63mins
Frederic Piquionne is brought on as a substitute for Lars Jacobsen.
- 63mins
(West Ham) makes a substitution, with Jack Collison coming on for Freddie Sears.
- 61mins
Shot from just outside the area by David Hoilett misses to the right of the target.
- 60mins
Steven Nzonzi takes a shot. Save by Robert Green.
- 56mins
Freddie Sears is ruled offside. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
- 55mins
Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Robert Green makes a save.
- 54mins
Robbie Keane joins the action as a substitute, replacing Luis Boa Morte.
- 54mins
Shot from just outside the box by Morten Gamst Pedersen misses to the right of the target.
- 52mins
Wayne Bridge sends in a cross.
- 51mins
Unfair challenge on Freddie Sears by Martin Olsson results in a free kick. Lars Jacobsen takes the direct free kick.
- 49mins
Thomas Hitzlsperger takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.
- 48mins
Shot from just outside the box by Jonathan Spector misses to the left of the goal.
- 48mins
Outswinging corner taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger from the left by-line, Steven Nzonzi makes a clearance.
- 46mins
Luis Boa Morte gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Morten Gamst Pedersen. Luis Boa Morte is shown a yellow card. Brett Emerton takes the free kick.
- 47mins
Corner taken left-footed by Thomas Hitzlsperger, Demba Ba takes a shot. Blocked by Gael Givet.
- 46mins
Foul by Jermaine Jones on Manuel da Costa, free kick awarded. Thomas Hitzlsperger has a direct shot on goal from the free kick, Gael Givet gets a block in.
- 45mins
Luis Boa Morte has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 45mins
Manuel da Costa takes a shot. Blocked by Christopher Samba.
- 44mins
Christopher Samba challenges Demba Ba unfairly and gives away a free kick. Luis Boa Morte takes the free kick.
- 43mins
Freddie Sears takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.
- 42mins
Carlton Cole is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
- 40mins
Unfair challenge on Morten Gamst Pedersen by Manuel da Costa results in a free kick. Brett Emerton restarts play with the free kick.
- 39mins
Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line, free kick awarded for a foul by Jason Roberts on Robert Green. Robert Green restarts play with the free kick.
- 37mins
Foul by Christopher Samba on Demba Ba, free kick awarded. Thomas Hitzlsperger takes the direct free kick.
- 37mins
The referee shows Manuel da Costa a yellow card.
- 36mins
Steven Nzonzi produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
- 36mins
Thomas Hitzlsperger takes a shot. Blocked by Christopher Samba.
- 34mins
Free kick awarded for a foul by Jermaine Jones on Demba Ba. Thomas Hitzlsperger restarts play with the free kick.
- 33mins
Jonathan Spector takes a shot. Paul Robinson makes a save.
- 30mins
Demba Ba has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide right of the target.
- 29mins
Jermaine Jones challenges Luis Boa Morte unfairly and gives away a free kick. Thomas Hitzlsperger restarts play with the free kick.
- 29mins
Luis Boa Morte takes a shot. Blocked by Mame Diouf.
- 28mins
Corner taken left-footed by Thomas Hitzlsperger.
- 24mins
Brett Emerton crosses the ball.
- 23mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Christopher Samba by Carlton Cole. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
- 23mins
The assistant referee flags for offside against David Hoilett. Free kick taken by Robert Green.
- 18mins
The ball is sent over by Morten Gamst Pedersen, clearance made by Wayne Bridge.
- 17mins
The referee blows for offside against Mame Diouf. Robert Green takes the indirect free kick.
- 15mins
Manuel da Costa has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide left of the target.
- 15mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Luis Boa Morte by Steven Nzonzi. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger.
- 13mins
Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Thomas Hitzlsperger from the left by-line, clearance by Steven Nzonzi.
- 12mins
A goal is scored by Jason Roberts from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. West Ham 0-1 Blackburn.Brett Emerton provided the assist for the goal.
- 9mins
The assistant referee flags for offside against Carlton Cole. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
- 7mins
Manuel da Costa has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
- 6mins
Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Daniel Gabbidon by Mame Diouf. Manuel da Costa restarts play with the free kick.
- 4mins
The referee penalises Lars Jacobsen for handball. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.
- 4mins
Inswinging corner taken by Thomas Hitzlsperger, Manuel da Costa takes a shot. Martin Olsson gets a block in.
- 2mins
Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Demba Ba manages to make a clearance.
- 1mins
Steven Nzonzi takes a shot. Blocked by Demba Ba.
- 1mins
Carlton Cole takes a shot. Blocked by Gael Givet.
Match Preview
Rallying call from Grant West Ham manager Avram Grant has told everybody connected with the club to forget what might happen and instead focus on securing Barclays Premier League survival. The Hammers head into the vital clash with fellow strugglers Blackburn languishing rock bottom and on the back of a terrible run of form, which has seen them fail to win in any competition for more than two months. The east London side have three matches left to stave off relegation to the npower Championship and lie three points off safety. Despite the need to focus on football, the past few weeks have been peppered with stories relating to what could happen if the Hammers get relegated. Last week Grant had to brush off comments from co-owner David Sullivan after he questioned the players' commitment and survival hopes. The former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager headed into this week's press conference on the back of fellow owner David Gold's comments that their England internationals would have to part from the club if they are relegated. "Why do I need to answer that question? If, if, if, if," he said when asked about the situation regarding the likes of Matthew Upson, Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker. "We want to stay in the league, we believe we can stay in the league and we believe we deserve to stay in the league. "We are playing football that deserves to stay in the league. Unfortunately, we are on our last players but we think we can go to be out of this. "And we will do everything to do this because it is not easy but still possible. I don't want to think negatively." Grant could well head into the Rovers match without England international Parker due to an Achilles complaint that has seen him miss the recent defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City. Grant admits Parker's return would be a welcome bonus but says he is "not so optimistic" that he will be able to include him. "If he can play I want him to play," he added. "I am not sure what is 80% or 100% but with Scotty you never know. "Before the Liverpool game there was not even a 10% chance he would play but he played. "So we need to wait and see because if he is fit I want him to play." Blackburn manager Steve Kean insists his players can put Rovers' terrible recent record against the Hammers out of their heads for the match. The Lancashire club have not beaten the Hammers in their last nine attempts, and you have to go right back to the days when Kenny Dalglish was Blackburn manager for the last time they triumphed at Upton Park. West Ham are desperate for victory to keep their Barclays Premier League survival hopes alive, while three points for the visitors would secure their top-flight status. Asked about the recent record, Kean said: "We are trying to push that to one side. "If it was the same team that had been together for years and had that record you can maybe understand it. "But a lot of these players may have been at clubs where West Ham has been a good place to go. "What we need to be is ruthless. We've a really good spirit, a togetherness, a willingness, something I think everybody has seen over the last couple of games. "I think we are playing well, we aren't fearing the games, we are looking forward to the games and getting points. "I think we can add to the points tally on Saturday. It is just all about getting the points, about pushing yourself over the line." Blackburn will give late fitness tests to Junior Hoilett, David Dunn and Michel Salgado ahead of the game, and Kean believes at least two of the trio will be available.
West Ham
Blackburn
- Robert Green
- Lars Jacobsen
- Manuel da Costa
- Daniel Gabbidon
- Wayne Bridge
- Jonathan Spector
- Thomas Hitzlsperger
- Luis Boa Morte
- Freddie Sears
- Carlton Cole
- Demba Ba
- SUBS
- Ruud Boffin
- James Tomkins
- Jack Collison
- Radoslav Kovac
- Zavon Hines
- Frederic Piquionne
- Robbie Keane
Home
Away
- Paul Robinson
- Brett Emerton
- Christopher Samba
- Gael Givet
- Martin Olsson
- Steven Nzonzi
- Jermaine Jones
- Mame Diouf
- Morten Gamst Pedersen
- David Hoilett
- Jason Roberts
- SUBS
- Mark Bunn
- Mauro Formica
- Keith Andrews
- Roque Santa Cruz
- Ruben Rochina
- Benjani Mwaruwari
- Grant Hanley
Match Report
Hammer strikes in relegation battle Thomas Hitzlsperger ensured that the fight for Barclays Premier League survival will go down to the wire as his late equaliser against Blackburn pulled West Ham back from the brink of the drop as it ended 1-1. The Germany midfielder - nicknamed 'The Hammer' - unleashed a trademark 25-yard drive into the bottom corner 12 minutes from time to rescue a point from a turgid showing from Avram Grant's side. Rovers looked to have secured a win which would have practically had them safe when Jason Roberts struck early on. Without the injured Scott Parker the Hammers were woefully short of invention and looked to be on their way into the npower Championship after six seasons in the top flight. They had mustered just a solitary effort on goal for 78 minutes until Hitzlsperger crashed an unstoppable shot past the previously unemployed Paul Robinson. That kick-started a late surge and substitute Robbie Keane and Carlton Cole both then spurned great chances in the final few moments. But the Hammers are still alive and next Saturday will travel to face Wigan in what is likely to be a season-deciding clash for both sides. Grant was roundly booed when he stepped onto the pitch to retrieve a loose ball during the first half and saw his side fall behind to a classic counter-attack. Jermaine Jones was allowed to carry the ball from midfield before feeding the overlapping run of Brett Emerton. The Australian was in space after Wayne Bridge had been left upfield and steadied himself to deliver a perfect cross which Roberts converted from five yards out. The striker could hardly miss and gave Robert Green no chance with a side-footed volley. Morten Gamst Pedersen then headed a Manuel Da Costa effort off the goal-line as the hosts launched a rare attack but Rovers looked comfortable throughout. Grant threw on Frederic Piquionne and Keane in the second half as he played with four strikers but still there was no invention or variety to their play. A goal looked unlikely until Hitzlsperger - comfortably the best player in a claret shirt - struck with time running out. Cole crafted the chance with good work on the left of the penalty area and he was able to tee up the former Aston Villa midfielder in space in the D. Hitzlsperger took aim and cracked a thunderous drive through a crowd of players and into the far corner. The relief was enormous inside the stadium and Blackburn - so assured for most of the match - suddenly looked edgy at the back. Keane drove into the area and put in a teasing cross which was inches away from Demba Ba's head before the Republic of Ireland captain missed a golden chance. Piquionne crossed from the left and Keane - six yards out - fluffed his connection to miss an open goal. It could yet prove a costly error from the on-loan Tottenham man but with West Ham three points behind Wigan and safety going into next week's showdown at the DW Stadium, Grant's men live to fight another day.
Form Guide
- DLLLLL
- West Ham
- VS
- Blackburn DDDLLW
Last Meetings
- Blackburn
- 1 - 1
- West Ham
- 18/12/2010
- West Ham
- 0 - 0
- Blackburn
- 30/01/2010
- Blackburn
- 0 - 0
- West Ham
- 29/08/2009
- Blackburn
- 1 - 1
- West Ham
- 21/03/2009
- West Ham
- 4 - 1
- Blackburn
- 30/08/2008
- West Ham
- 2 - 1
- Blackburn
- 15/03/2008
Top Scorers
West Ham
- S Parker 5
- F Piquionne 5
- C Cole 5
- D Ba 5
- VN Obinna 3
- R Keane 2
- T Hitzlsperger 1
- J Spector 1
- J Tomkins 1
- MT da Costa 1
- J Stanislas 1
- F Sears 1
Blackburn
- N Kalinic 5
- M Pedersen 4
- C Samba 4
- D Hoilett 4
- J Roberts 3
- R Nelsen 3
- B Mwaruwari 3
- MB Diouf 3
- B Emerton 2
- M Olsson 2
- D Dunn 1
- G Givet 1
- S Nzonzi 1
- G Hanley 1
Goals
West Ham
- Total goals 103
- Goals per game 40
- 1 (For) 5 (Against) Period 0-10 mins
- 3 (For) 9 (Against) Period 11-20 mins
- 7 (For) 3 (Against) Period 21-30 mins
- 5 (For) 9 (Against) Period 31-40 mins
- 7 (For) 8 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- 6 (For) 3 (Against) Period 51-60 mins
- (For) 8 (Against) Period 61-70 mins
- 5 (For) 7 (Against) Period 71-80 mins
- 6 (For) 11 (Against) Period 81-90 mins
Blackburn
- Total goals 104
- Goals per game 41
- 2 (For) 2 (Against) Period 0-10 mins
- 3 (For) 5 (Against) Period 11-20 mins
- 6 (For) 4 (Against) Period 21-30 mins
- 2 (For) 4 (Against) Period 31-40 mins
- 8 (For) 8 (Against) Period 41-50 mins
- 7 (For) 10 (Against) Period 51-60 mins
- 4 (For) 7 (Against) Period 61-70 mins
- 1 (For) 7 (Against) Period 71-80 mins
- 8 (For) 8 (Against) Period 81-90 mins
