Thursday May 3, 2012 Semifinal Finished Cardiff City Stadium

  1. West Ham take control in Cardiff

    West Ham take control in Cardiff

    A Jack Collison brace put West Ham on the verge of Wembley with a 2-0 win at Cardiff in the Championship play-off semi-final first leg. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Cardiff City
    • West Ham United
    • 90+6' That's full time! West Ham are in cruise control with a 2-0 lead to take to Upton Park next week. Wembley beckons for the Hammers barring a heroic Cardiff fightback in East London. Thanks for joining me tonight! Follow me on Twitter @liamhappe for post-match discussion and more sporting updates/musings.
    • 90+5' The short play to hold onto the ball sees them forced further and further back, but more importantly they are keeping the ball comfortably.
    • 90+4' The visitors win a corner and it's not hard to guess where it goes.
    • 90+3' Noble has it back, and again West Ham take the simple option for possession.
    • 90+2' Cardiff finally get the ball back but need to start getting it forward.
    • 90+1' Maynard bursts forward on the counter, but smartly pulls back and begins keep-ball in the middle of the park with his team-mates when no viable attacking ball presents itself.
    • 90' Five minutes go up on the board. The home fans finally come to life. One goal here would be enough to make a fight-back at the Boelyn very much on the cards.
    • 89' Green takes the goal kick as West Ham edge closer to job very much done in Cardiff.
    • 88' Penalty shout for McCartney on Mason as he fails to snuff out the forward's threat, but it looks on a replay to be the right call by Swarbrick. Minimal contact.
    • 87' Faubert is yellowed for a foul on Gunnarsson.
    • 86' The away side's final change sees double goalscorer Collison replaced by Nicky Maynard.
    • 85' McCartney clears a Blake cross for a Cardiff corner. It looks like Gunnarsson is holding onto Green as the ball is headed back into danger, but Mason volleys over the bar anyway. Big chance, that, but could easily have been a free-kick.
    • 84' A Hammers attack culminates in an offside flag for Collison.
    • 82' Gunnarsson! Blasted wide of goal after a deft heel flick by Earnshaw. Lawrence wanted that one played onto him.
    • 81' This one is overcooked and guarded out for a goal kick.
    • 80' After a series of half-clearances, O'Neil's leaping volley takes a nick as it goes behind. Another corner coming up.
    • 79' Noble gets a deflection off Turner for a West Ham corner at the other end.
    • 78' Another missile-like Gunnarsson throw is headed away, as it a cross from the left, but the latter falls to Earnshaw! His volley flashes across goal!
    • 77' Taylor with another peach of a delivery, low and driven this time, which almost finds the stretched foot of Cole at the far post! One more goal from the visitors may well kill off the entire tie.
    • 76' Seconds later, the Irons make their second switch as Demel is replaced by Julien Faubert.
    • 75' Double sub from Cardiff: Miller and Cowie make way for Stephen McPhail and Rob Earnshaw.
    • 74' Hudson off-target with a header from a Gunnarsson centre.
    • 73' Fantastic sliding tackle from Tomkins prevents Miller inside the box again.
    • 72' Taylor crosses superbly for Nolan! How did he miss that header from yards out?
    • 71' Mason is through... but the flag is up as he puts the ball in the back of the net.
    • 70' Blake fouls Taylor out on the left and Noble's crossed free-kick is headed at goal by Nolan! Great parry by Marshall and the defence clear their lines.
    • 68' Cardiff have been a little brighter in this second half, but can they get the goal that'll at least give them a chance in this tie? Let me know what you think on Twitter - @liamhappe
    • 67' A Collison cross is cleared by Hudson before the two-goal man fouls Taylor.
    • 65' Lawrence handball quells another Cardiff attack.
    • 64' Now Nolan makes it three Hammers in the book after he clatters goalkeeper Marshall with a late challenge.
    • 63' Miller! His chested down volley goes over the bar. Good effort from 18 yards.
    • 62' Noble comes in late on Whittingham, and the club player of the year joins Tomko in the book.
    • 61' Allardyce is going to go more defensive for the final half hour: the first change of the match sees Vaz Te make way for left-back George McCartney.
    • 60' It's headed clear and Demel's attempt to pump the ball back into the crowded box is overhit. Goal kick.
    • 59' Now Vaz Te strides forward and his attempt at a centre is deflected behind for a corner.
    • 58' Collison is caught offside as the away side look to alleviate this pressure at the moment.
    • 57' Mason fouls Noble and West Ham have a temporary respite.
    • 56' Tomkins collects the first booking of the match for dissent.
    • 55' Whittingham's corner is headed at goal from the far post by Hudson! Cole clears off the line!
    • 54' Now Mason has a cross deflected behind by Taylor for a corner.
    • 53' Whittingham is caught offside.
    • 52' Now Miller's picked out by Whittingham's supreme cross-field pass but Tomkins does a superb job catching him up when the striker's first touch prevents him from being one-on-one.
    • 51' Green drops a catch from a cross from the right, but it isn't punished.
    • 50' The hosts get another attacking long throw, which is cleared from near enough the goal line by the Hammers.
    • 49' The visitors burst forward and win themselves a corner, which the Blues play out of danger.
    • 48' Early attacking intent from Cardiff once again, but the flag on Lawrence puts paid to that.
    • 47' @curtismuir3 feels the first leg will see Cardiff fight back to 2-2 before the Hammers strike late twice for 2-4, while @dutchflowerzafc is quick to point out that with no away goals rule, Cardiff aren't out of it just yet...
    • 46' The hosts get the game back underway.
    • 45+2' And there's the half-time whistle. West Ham lead through Jack Collison's double. Cardiff are in need of a big comeback here. Do you think they can do it? Follow me on Twitter and let me know - @liamhappe - will be publishing your thoughts through the second half!
    • 45+1' One minute of added time at the end of the first half.
    • 45' COLE! Dangerous header from a deep centre which Marshall parries from going into the bottom corner. Subsequent corner is cleared before Tomkins heads off-target from the second cross.
    • 44' The Blues want a free-kick out on the right wing for hand-ball.. but it's given the other way after Turner fouls Nolan.
    • 43' Noble fouls Whittingham and Cardiff have a free-kick 30 yards out, just left of centre.
    • 42' At first that looked like a sweet, sweet volley - but the nick off the head of Turner left the keeper helpless.
    • 41' ...but only as far as Collison by Turner, and Collison chests it onto his right foot... it comes off a defender and wrong-foots Marshall! It's 2-0!
    • 40' It went out for a corner, which is cleared...
    • 39' Another West Ham counter and Hudson's block on Cole's attempt to turn him is absolutely vital, as it would have been one-on-one with Marshall otherwise.
    • 38' Cole plays Collison through, but mostly because the goalscorer was a yard or two offside. Flag ends the play.
    • 36' Gunnarsson penalised for a high boot catching Tomkins as a cross from Whittingham is headed into the duo's path.
    • 35' Miller strikes from distance, and it's marginally wide. From an angle it looked the other side of the net...
    • 34' Collison cuts inside his man on the edge of the box... and then completely whiffs the shot.
    • 33' Finally a spark from the hosts as Miller charges his way from the 30-yard mark towards the box, but a combination of Reid and Tomkins succeed in putting a stop to him.
    • 32' Vaz Te fouls Blake and the pressure ends.
    • 31' Another dangerous cross sent into the Cardiff box but Collison just cannot reach it. Demel tries to head it back across goal but finds only blue shirts.
    • 30' Shots on goal so far: Cardiff 2-4 West Ham. Only one (West Ham) has been off-target.
    • 28' Now it's Nolan who triggers the flag. The Irons have successfully gained control of the tempo of this match, keeping it slow until they choose to snap forward in search of an opening.
    • 27' Collison's ball looks for Cole, but the forward is offside.
    • 26' West Ham have had 57% of possession thus far. Cardiff's bright start before Collison's opener suggests that the goal has really knocked the stuffing out of Mackay's men.
    • 25' Cole appears to handball in the build of a move which sees Nolan have a cross put behind for a corner by Hudson. The second crack at a delivery comes in from the opposite side, however, from the foot of Demel. Reid is penalised for a foul before he can connect.
    • 24' Vaz Te has a cross, shot, or a hybrid of the two, closed down.
    • 22' Taylor whips it towards the danger zone, but that's straight to Marshall.
    • 21' Now Cole gets a decision his way, courtesy of a Blake foul. It's just inside Cardiff's own half.
    • 20' Turner and Cole have their arms all over each other, but Swarbrick gives the free-kick Cardiff's way. Defender lee-weigh?
    • 19' Daniel Cooper @coops_23 doesn't want to see this scoreline remain the case for long: "If west ham make it into the premier league again I may move to Spain/Italy and support another league #goner" - let me know your predictions/thoughts @liamhappe
    • 18' Taylor's cross is flicked on by a defender into the path of Tomkins! Header at the far post goes wide.
    • 17' The visitors keep pressing and there are shouts for a foul on Vaz Te as the striker nips in on a hesitant Turner. Cole is then almost put through but it's a great interception for a West Ham corner.
    • 16' Now Hudson clears danger from the Hammers.
    • 15' Whittingham's delivery is headed away at the near post by Reid, and a subsequent attacking throw fails to yield results either. Still 1-0 West Ham.
    • 14' Terrific driven cross from the right by Lawrence has to be headed behind by Reid. Another Cardiff corner to follow.
    • 13' Free-kick against Cole for handball, to be taken by Marshall despite being just outside the centre circle.
    • 11' O'Neil has a dig, but Marshall will have that one.
    • 10' It's 'Bubbles' that is most audible now in Wales. Can the hosts bounce back? Let me know on Twitter - follow me @liamhappe
    • 9' To rally from a tough opening and bounce back with the first goal after just eight minutes is great stuff from the away side and may really dent Cardiff's psyche.
    • 8' Vaz Te manages cross from the left before the dinked delivery goes out for a goal kick. It picks out Collison! Initial shot is saved point-blank by Marshall but the rebound is headed over the line! West Ham lead and the stadium volume drops!
    • 7' Collison overzealous in hunting for defensive errors as he clatters into the back of Taylor. Free kick.
    • 6' Cole flicks the ball over himself and Blake, but cannot control it on the way down and Marshall will take the goal kick.
    • 5' Hammers finally getting some possession now, but are finding it hard to get past a rigid back line and into the Cardiff final third.
    • 4' The home fans are understandably stoked by this start from their boys. @RealMickHouston remains behind West Ham, however, predicting a 2-1 win courtesy of Vaz Te and Tomkins.
    • 3' Good opening effort from the home side, but the corner is easily cleared. They'll have another one here though as the ball's headed down into the path of Miller, who forces a parry around the post from Green with a scorching half-volley!
    • 2' Gunnarsson pumps an early long throw into the West Ham box. Nolan cannot properly clear and it falls to Whittingham! Deflected over the bar!
    • 1' West Ham kick the first half off. We're up and running!
    • 19:45 The teams are out on the pitch in Cardiff. We are about to get underway. Tense opening leg or will someone get one foot into the Wembley final?
    • 19:40 Managers Allardyce and Mackay know their fair share about what it takes to succeed in play-offs, having been a part of successful promotions via the lottery. Who will get the advantage tonight? Tweet me your predictions @liamhappe
    • 19:35 Tonight's official is Mr. Neil Swarbrick of Lancashire.
    • 19:30 Sam Allardyce: "We've just battered Brighton 6-0 and in the first half we did what we had to do in terms of battering Hull, although we didn't convert our chances, before the game drifted away. We also had a terrific comeback to draw 3-3 with Birmingham here, so now our home form is as good as it is away. We'll go to Cardiff with the confidence that we have beaten them 2-0 at their place already, and we'll go with the confidence that we are the third best team in this league."
    • 19:25 Malky Mackay, who has banned his players from using Twitter and Facebook in the build-up to the match: "I want the players focused on their game, their training and the two matches coming up. All focus is on that and no focus is on anything else other than just living the best they can for the next seven days because there will be so many rewards for that."
    • 19:20 TEAMS - Cardiff: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller, Mason. Subs: Heaton, Kiss, Gerrard, Earnshaw, McPhail. /// West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel, Taylor, Collison, Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te, Cole. Subs: Henderson, McCartney, Maynard, Faye, Faubert.
    • 19:15 West Ham expect James Tomkins and Kevin Nolan to recover from injuries in time for Thursday. Centre-half Tomkins suffered a head injury during Saturday's 2-1 win over Hull and skipper Nolan limped off with a dead leg. However, Nolan's midfield cohort Gary O'Neil looks set to miss out after taking a whack to the ankle from Hull's Corry Evans.
    • 19:10 Cardiff boss Malky Mackay almost has a fully-fit squad to choose from, with Craig Conway the only absentee after ankle surgery. Several of his players rested on Monday, having picked up “bumps and bruises” during their win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, but none are doubts for Thursday.
    • 19:05 The Irons are the favourites in this two-legged tie after finishing eleven points clear of the Welsh club in the regular season. But the mini-tournament's record as far as 3rd v 6th is concerned shows little faith in statistics, and the disappointment of missing out on the automatics may weigh heavily on the Londoners. Final Championship standings
    • 19:00 Good evening and welcome to our LIVE text coverage as the battle for Premier League football begins in the Championship play-offs! Up first tonight are Cardiff City and West Ham United in the first-leg of their semi-final at the Cardiff City Stadium. Follow me on Twitter @liamhappe and tweet your predictions and thoughts - I'll be publishing them throughout the pre-game and match.

  • Summary

    • 88' Penalty shout for McCartney on Mason as he fails to snuff out the forward's threat, but it looks on a replay to be the right call by Swarbrick. Minimal contact.
    • 85' McCartney clears a Blake cross for a Cardiff corner. It looks like Gunnarsson is holding onto Green as the ball is headed back into danger, but Mason volleys over the bar anyway. Big chance, that, but could easily have been a free-kick.
    • 82' Gunnarsson! Blasted wide of goal after a deft heel flick by Earnshaw. Lawrence wanted that one played onto him.
    • 78' Another missile-like Gunnarsson throw is headed away, as it a cross from the left, but the latter falls to Earnshaw! His volley flashes across goal!
    • 77' Taylor with another peach of a delivery, low and driven this time, which almost finds the stretched foot of Cole at the far post! One more goal from the visitors may well kill off the entire tie.
    • 72' Taylor crosses superbly for Nolan! How did he miss that header from yards out?
    • 70' Blake fouls Taylor out on the left and Noble's crossed free-kick is headed at goal by Nolan! Great parry by Marshall and the defence clear their lines.
    • 63' Miller! His chested down volley goes over the bar. Good effort from 18 yards.
    • 55' Whittingham's corner is headed at goal from the far post by Hudson! Cole clears off the line!
    • 52' Now Miller's picked out by Whittingham's supreme cross-field pass but Tomkins does a superb job catching him up when the striker's first touch prevents him from being one-on-one.
    • 45' COLE! Dangerous header from a deep centre which Marshall parries from going into the bottom corner. Subsequent corner is cleared before Tomkins heads off-target from the second cross.
    • 41' ...but only as far as Collison by Turner, and Collison chests it onto his right foot... it comes off a defender and wrong-foots Marshall! It's 2-0!
    • 35' Miller strikes from distance, and it's marginally wide. From an angle it looked the other side of the net...
    • 18' Taylor's cross is flicked on by a defender into the path of Tomkins! Header at the far post goes wide.
    • 8' Vaz Te manages cross from the left before the dinked delivery goes out for a goal kick. It picks out Collison! Initial shot is saved point-blank by Marshall but the rebound is headed over the line! West Ham lead and the stadium volume drops!
    • 3' Good opening effort from the home side, but the corner is easily cleared. They'll have another one here though as the ball's headed down into the path of Miller, who forces a parry around the post from Green with a scorching half-volley!
    • 2' Gunnarsson pumps an early long throw into the West Ham box. Nolan cannot properly clear and it falls to Whittingham! Deflected over the bar!
    • 19:20 TEAMS - Cardiff: Marshall, Blake, Hudson, Turner, Taylor, Cowie, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Lawrence, Miller, Mason. Subs: Heaton, Kiss, Gerrard, Earnshaw, McPhail. /// West Ham: Green, Reid, Tomkins, Demel, Taylor, Collison, Nolan, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te, Cole. Subs: Henderson, McCartney, Maynard, Faye, Faubert.

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

    Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account.

    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      4.6 -
      Defenders
      3.4 -
      3.3 -
      3 -
      3.2 -
      Midfielders
      4.2 -
      3.9 -
      4.1 -
      Substitution Out75′ 5.1 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out75′ 4.7 -
      3.7 -
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ 4.7 -
      Substitution In75′ 2.6 -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.8 -
      Defenders
      Substitution Out75′ 7 -
      7.2 -
      Yellow Card 7.8 -
      7.3 -
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 7.7 -
      Yellow Card 7.6 -
      7.5 -
      Goals ×2 Substitution Out86′ 8.2 -
      Strikers
      Substitution Out61′ 7.4 -
      7.8 -
      Subs
      Substitution In61′ 8 -
      Substitution In75′ Yellow Card 8.4 -
      Substitution In86′ 7.1 -

Comment 84 - 104 of 104

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated
  1. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    West Ham will probably reach the final but thats it for­ them. Championship again next season. Then that­ arrogant sour faced manager of theres will be even more­ belligerent

    From richard, on Fri 4 May 10:15

  2. Glad Cardiff hopes have been dashed, the capitol 0f­ Wales in the English football league, shouldn't be­ allowed. Swansea should take a hike too. Go play the­ likes of Merthyr Tiddfel and Bangor.

    From richard, on Fri 4 May 10:08

  3. Well Thomas Neal as explained to one of your other­ supporters let us worry about whether blackpool or­ birmingham win the play-offs 'cos you don't­ have that problem.Guess the word I'm looking for is­ JEALOUS.Not a bad start though,you've got to­ agree!COYI!!!

    From Steve Algorfa, on Fri 4 May 9:00
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Enjoy the moment, Blackpool or Birmingham will win the­ playoff final see you next season Westham morons.­ Millwall

    From THOMAS NEAL, on Fri 4 May 8:46

  5. There is only 1 welsh premiership club in the premier­ league swansea city football club. Keep dreaming­ cardiff city supporters, coz the only way you are going­ to be in the premiership is in your dreams.

    From Alan, on Fri 4 May 7:14

  6. Millwall scum !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From scott j, on Thu 3 May 23:06

  7. nite nite losers COYI the taffs are gone ahhh ahhhh­ ahhhh

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 22:34

  8. cousre they will treacle dream on took your time­ replying is it a 56k modem you got in da valleys stick­ to rugby sunshine

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 22:16
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Don't worry Jo the taffs will be in force at your­ dump and our friends from south London Millwall a­ proper London club will support us too

    From hugh1, on Thu 3 May 22:13

  10. billy mines a large one geddit.... mines they aint got­ none no more aaah aah well done maggie

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 22:04

  11. get pissed billy hope theres no leeks in the bottle­ aaah aah leeks..... ta da taffs

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 22:01

  12. hugh boyoy pie n mash is luvvly tastes like the sweet­ smell of victory u nob bring on the jellied eels after­ the home return if you send any fans ahh ahhh ahhh COYI

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 21:58

  13. faubert..is he the guy that played for real madrid ?

    From Mr United fan, on Thu 3 May 21:55

  14. great play by the ham you were a bit sheepish and got­ fleeced ahhh ahhh COYI luvvin it

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 21:54

  15. We don't want west ham up with their nobby fans­ blowing bubbles and eating pie and mash

    From hugh1, on Thu 3 May 21:53

  16. sheep luvvers lost up the ammers see you at home in­ breds baaa baaa

    From Jo Morgan, on Thu 3 May 21:48

  17. Although i am an ardent supporter of Manchester United,­ I hope and pray that Westham are promoted this time­ round. Having lived in Newham for the past 25 years,­ one expect me to chear them back to primier division­ where they now belong. Come on you Hammers, show your­ true grit and determination and win the rest of all­ your games. Good luck.

    From Mohamed Ali hirsy, on Thu 3 May 21:47

  18. goodbye wales-well done england

    From Andy S, on Thu 3 May 21:45

  19. this game is over, hope Cardiff put more effort in next­ game or they doomed for another season in Championship,­ you would think they would of learned from last season,­ shouls of kept Dave Jones. He could be locking horns­ with you next season...

    From Mark, on Thu 3 May 21:36

  20. I remember not so long ago cardiff used 2 play­ scarborough in the old 4th division they used 2 bring­ massive away support, about 25 of them, how things­ change.

    From Darren, on Thu 3 May 21:36
Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account