West ham keen to claim uefa cup place after beating fulham

By Simon Hayes on February 27, 2008 1:15 PM |

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THE PREMIER League may have ambitious plans to showcase their “product” abroad but if West Ham’s latest showing was any indication they would face serious problems of quality control.

The 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday (February 23) was a turgid affair, with entertainment in short supply and Nolberto Solano’s controversial goal encapsulating a scrappy encounter.

West Ham welcomed the three points in their push for a UEFA Cup spot, although they lie seven points behind Aston Villa, who occupy the all-important sixth spot in the table.

They now face some of their toughest games of the season as they meet Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham in little over a week. It could be a pivotal period of their season, as Hammers’ England defender Matthew Upson acknowledged.

He said: “In the last two games we’ve had some sloppy results at Wigan and at home to Birmingham, which has cost us really because more points there and we would have been in with a realistic chance of a UEFA Cup place.

“We still do have a chance, but it is going to take a really good run of form in the next couple of months to really get among those teams, but with a win today it’s given us more hope.

“We do have to start winning against the likes of Chelsea now. We dropped vital points in recent games, especially the Birmingham game which was very disappointing. But we have won today, and now we can move on and up and look forward to games like Chelsea.”

The Blues visit Upton Park on Saturday (March 1) and they will be looking for a boost after their disappointing Carling Cup Final defeat by Spurs. Their line-up is likely to include ex-Hammers Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, while one West Ham player is also set to renew some old acquaintances.

Striker Carlton Cole spent five years at Stamford Bridge before moving to Upton Park in the summer of 2006 and is relishing the chance of playing them.

He said: “Chelsea’s always going to have a place in my heart but I’ve found my home at West Ham now. I’d love to score against Chelsea but I like to score in any game. These are the times you live for.”

Saturday’s game will be used to raise funds for Richard House hospice. The Royal Docks facility, which provides care for life-threatened and life-limited children, is one of West Ham’s nominated charities this season and counts Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole as a patron.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk