West Ham United Football Club News

• Nickname:Hammers
• Founded:1895
• Manager:Sam Allardyce

• Ground:Upton Park
• Capacity:35,595

Curbs eyes top-eight finish

21 Jan 2008 - 07:37:07

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West Ham United boss Alan Curbishley believes a top-eight finish is on the cards after seeing his side hold Manchester City to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The Hammers, who lost 1-0 at City four days earlier in the FA Cup, completely dominated the second half and ought to have left victors after Carlton Cole had fired them into an eighth minute lead.

However, Darius Vassell equalised midway through the first half and the Hammers were unable to find another way past Citizens keeper Joe Hart.

"We're a little bit disappointed, but I've got to be pleased with the way we've played," said Curbishley.

"Once again I've had to reshuffle, change it and get on with it. It is great credit to the players that they probably deserved to be the first team to win here.

"We just needed to hang on to that lead for a little bit longer because the way we have been playing, it would have been interesting to see how Man City would have coped.

"We've had to chop and change all season and there's been great disruption to the squad, but they've done fantastically well.

"And if we can get one or two back - and freshen it up and carry on being as committed as we are - we'd like to finish in the top eight.

"First we need to catch the two teams above us - Blackburn and Portsmouth - but the signs are very encouraging."