Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves 0 West Ham 2: Kieron Dyer back in the groove as Hammers cruise
Remember Kieron Dyer? A talented prospect at Ipswich, inconsistent at Newcastle and a former England international with 33 caps to his name, Dyer was back in West Ham's starting line up.
The midfielder has not played 90 minutes since breaking the fibula and tibia in his right leg in a 2-1 Carling Cup victory against Bristol Rovers in August 2007 — in just his third appearance after a £6million move south.
'I was told at first that I'd be back within nine months to a year, so to be out for nearly two years was hard to take,' he said.
'There was a lot of things that went wrong with the operations — wrong pins being put in my legs and stuff that's out of your hands. It's very hard when somebody breaks your leg to be called injury-prone, but I suppose that's life.'
The 31-year-old, who represented England at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, will have watched West Ham team-mates Robert Green, Matthew Upson and Carlton Cole return from England duty last week, but insists an international comeback is the last thing on his mind.
'I haven't played 90 minutes for two years so to even be labelled with England is ludicrous,' he said.
'My job is just to get on the pitch with West Ham. England doesn't even come into it. I don't even think about England — I just want to play for West Ham.'
Dyer certainly seemed intent to show Hammers fans what they've been missing as he enjoyed a seemingly free role in West Ham's midfield diamond, but was denied the chance to score on his return when Wolves captain Jody Craddock cleared off the line on the half-hour mark.
Match facts
WOLVES (4-4-2): Hennessey 6, Foley 6 (Vokes 75min, 6), Craddock 7, Mancienne 6 (Stearman 66, 6), Ward 6, Halford 6, Henry 7, Milijas 8 (Edwards 80), Jarvis 7, Ebanks-Blake 6, Keogh 6.
WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 7, Faubert 6, Collins 6, Upson 6, Ilunga (Spector 65, 6) 6, Collison 6, Parker 7, Dyer 6 (Stanislas 73, 6), Noble 8, Jimenez 6, Cole 6 (Nouble 90+3).
Man of the Match: Mark Noble
Referee: Chris Foy
West Ham had gone ahead after 22 minutes through the exquisite touch of Mark Noble, the England Under 21 international sending a dipping right-footed shot into the top left-hand corner to show Wolves just how daunting their task will be this season.
The goal certainly seemed to rock the 2009 Championship winners and the enthusiastic 28,000 Molineux crowd as they realised the folly of failing to capitalise on early possession and chances for Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Andy Keogh.
New signing Nenad Milijas was denied twice by West Ham goalkeeper Green after the re-start and, although Wolves always looked threatening on the break, Matthew Upson was allowed to head home Noble's corner at the far post on 69 minutes to seal three points for the Hammers.
Manager Mick McCarthy took scant consolation from the positives of his team's performance, saying: 'I just said to the players, I don't want to be stood here saying we played well and created chances, I want to be stood here saying we won.'
New boy: Wolves’ Nenad Milijas, a 26-year-old Serbia international, has a strong left foot and isn’t afraid to shoot from range, but must contribute more to their all-round game.
