Saturday August 18, 2012 Day 1 Finished Upton Park

  1. Premier League - Nolan winner sinks Aston Villa

    Premier League - Nolan winner sinks Aston Villa

    Kevin Nolan scored the only goal of the game to give West Ham a winning return to the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • West Ham United
    • Aston Villa
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+4' There goes the whistle! A 1-0 win for West Ham United. Not the greatest game, but the home side pocket the three points.
    • 90+2' Chance on the break for West Ham to tie it all up, but Baker gets back to get the ball off the line from Maiga's shot after the sub had rounded Given. Should have been 2-0 there.
    • 89' We are into four minutes time added on.
    • 88' Villa so disappointing in the third final third of the park as Lowton's cross is blocked. All so predictable.
    • 87' Sam Allardyce sinks a timely piece of chewing gum on the sidelines. His side so close now to all three points on the opening day of the season.
    • 86' Bannan dinks a hopeful ball into the West Ham box, but Collins is on hand to head out of the danger zone.
    • 85' Clark with a good tackle on Vaz Te as he prepared to swing the ball into the box. That was another decent move by West Ham, but not taken.
    • 84' A few of the West Ham fans are heading for the exit doors. Not sure I would be overly confident that the deal has been sealed yet. Still only 1-0.
    • 83' Vlaar with another hopeful ball trying to pick out Lowton, but just overhits the attempted pass as it runs out of play for a goalkick to West Ham. Jääskeläinen knocks the goalkick long.
    • 82' Lowton with a hopeful delivery from well out wide, but so, so easy for Jääskeläinen to come and collect.
    • 81' Villa next face Everton at home. Will be looking to improve from today. Look a bit rusty it must be said. Here come Villa...
    • 80' Maiga replaces Cole for West Ham. The £5 million man who scored 24 goals for Sochaux in France last term has 10 minutes or so to make his mark here.
    • 79' Villa boss Paul Lamber trying to encourage his side to get themselves up the park, but I'm not sure it is going to happen for them today. Just seem to lack the inventiveness required.
    • 78' Barry Bannan has replaced Delph for Villa with the visiting side shuffling their pack one last time today.
    • 77' Chance to wrap up the points for Villa, but Matt Taylor's free-kick is nodded wide of goal by Cole. Should have scored with that chance.
    • 76' Baker with a late challenge on Taylor. Free-kick to the home side out wide. West Ham in no rush to take this.
    • 75' Villa looking slightly ragged it must be said. Ireland trying to drive Villa up the park. Vlaar goes for goal from 30 yards, but Jaaskelainen dives to his right to make the stop.
    • 74' Also an alteration for Villa with N'Zogbia off the park to be replaced by Gary Gardner.
    • 73' James Tomkins has been introduced for West Ham with Nolan departing the action.
    • 72' Bent rises high in the box, but can only head well over the bar. A change coming here for the Hammers.
    • 71' O'Brien doing well to close down N'Zogbia. A throw-in out wide for the visiting side. Villa earn another corner as N'Zogbia's delivery comes off O'Brien.
    • 70' McCartney going to be wheeled off having suffered a bit of cramp. He will be replaced by Joey O'Brien for the home side.
    • 69' Another corner here for Villa. Go short before Ireland's delivery is deflected behind for another corner. High stuff not really paying off for Villa against this robust home defence.
    • 68' People out with fans and bottles of water. Not exactly ideal conditions for watching football never mind playing the game. Villa collect at the halfway line.
    • 67' Getting the first goal in this match really is like money in the bank. West Ham content to sit back and soak it up. Meanwhile, McCartney is down with a spot of cramp.
    • 66' Shay Given wallops the ball long down the park. First time he has gone long today. Getting to that stage of the match for Villa where they must dispense with the short stuff.
    • 65' Nolan's shot scrambled away frantically by the Villa defence after some more neat play by Vaz Te out wide. Vlaar was back to get the ball away with Given beaten.
    • 64' Vlaar nods over the bar from N'Zogbia's corner. Villa trying to get on the front foot here in the sweltering London sunshine.
    • 63' N'Zogbia sees a shot deflect wide for a corner to the visitors. A first corner of the day for Villa.
    • 62' A solid header out of defence by Collins from the delivery of Ireland. A really commanding header by the former Villa stopper.
    • 61' And there comes the change right on cue as Andreas Weimann takes over from Holman.
    • 60' Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is surely going to look to change his side here. Can't go on with this much longer. Nothing happening of any great interest.
    • 59' Cole picks out McCartney, whose cross is collected by the mitts of Given. Food and drink for the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper.
    • 58' Holman on the dash for Villa, but good solid defensive work by Reid to snuff out the danger.
    • 57' West Ham owner David Gold looking happy enough with the goings on from his seat in the directors' box.
    • 56' West Ham with 10 men behind the ball and Villa are finding it very difficult to find space. Reid is down on the deck and needing some treatrment.
    • 55' West Ham certainly looking the livelier side in this second half. Villa look a bit too predictable on the ball. Nothing being done at any great pace.
    • 54' Diame wins the ball back from Ireland. Decides to go for goal, but smacks the shot miles wide of goal. The home fans loving that moment.
    • 53' Vlaar decides to try his luck from 35 yards out. Plenty of pace on the free-kick, but he drags the shot well wide of goal.
    • 52' Bent has led a lonely life up front for Villa despite all their possession. N'Zogbia on the ball, but he loses it before Nolan brings down Ireland. All a bit sloppy.
    • 51' Diame tries to pick out Cole on the run, but overcooks the pass as it runs straight through and into the arms of Given.
    • 50' Demel picks out Cole in the box. Lovely pass by him. Seemed to be forced to the ground by Vlaar, but Mike Dean says no penalty. Not sure Vlaar should have made that challenge. Gets away with it.
    • 49' Kevin Nolan scored his fifth career Premier League goal against Aston Villa – more against them than any other Premier League club he has faced. He now has three goals in his last two against them.
    • 48' Noble drops a high corner into the heart of the Villa box. No takers on hand as the ball evades everybody before flying out of play.
    • 47' An early chance for Ireland in the second period. Knocks a volley on the run at goal, but straight into the arms of Jääskeläinen. Easy enough take.
    • 46' Hammers fans blowing bubbles here as their side returns for the second period. West Ham holding a 1-0 lead as they get the action off and running.
    • 45+2' There goes the whistle for the break. A 1-0 lead for West Ham. Not much to write home about in the first period, but the home side have the lead in the heat. Surely has to get better in the second period.
    • 44' We are into two minutes of time added on.
    • 43' Holman's control lets him down on the edge of the West Ham box as he prepared to pull the trigger and the chance is lost.
    • 42' Aston Villa with much, much more possession but have done very little with it. Need to keep their heads here as an N'Zgobia free-kick fails to find Holman in the area.
    • 41' Mike Dean having a word with Matt Taylor for persistent fouling. One more from him and he is heading for the book after a late challenge on N'Zogbia.
    • 40' An offside decision against Bent as the other end. He looks fairly sick with that decision.
    • 39' The ball came off the head of Collins on the way through to Vaz Te. Should have been offside, but the referee overrules his linesman. Contentious moments. Somehow West Ham are ahead without doing very much.
    • 38' GOAL! Nolan scores for West Ham. Vaz Te was given offside, but the referee says no and Vaz Te slips the ball to Nolan for the opening goal. Easy finish with Given beaten.
    • 37' A booking here for Clark as he clattered Diame with a late challenge. No complaints there. First booking of the season.
    • 36' Just spotted big Sam Allardyce get off his seat to have a look at what is going on. The answer is very little.
    • 35' Vaz Te challenging for Noble's long free-kick. The result is another corner for West Ham, but Bent rises to head clear Noble's corner. On we go at 0-0 with no sign of the deadlock being broken.
    • 34' Nolan goes for power. Forced Given to dive to his right, but just wide of the target. Best effort at goal of the half so far. Which is saying something. Hasn't been a classic it must be said.
    • 33' Vlaar is penalised for grabbing the shirt of Cole, and suddenly the home side have another free-kick here. Right on the edge of the Villa box. Real chance here.
    • 32' Vlaar returns to the action with a massive bandage on his head. Think Terry Butcher back in the day and you get some idea what the Dutch defender is looking like.
    • 31' Taylor's free-kick smashes off a Villa body and spins away from goal. That ball was travelling. Could have gone anywhere. Villa survive. Down to 10 men at the moment.
    • 30' A bit of blood spilling from the side of the right eye of Vlaar. He looks like he might have to head off for some treatment here.
    • 29' Baker can't keep the ball in ahead of Cole and the home side have a corner. More chances to pile the bodies into the box, but Matt Taylor's corner is driven low and cleared with some ease.
    • 28' Villa having so much joy against the West Ham high ball. Given, Vlaar and Clark look well briefed on what to expect as Given comes out to collect another long ball.
    • 27' McCartney with a long throw, but nobody on the end of it. Sums up how the half has gone for West Ham so far. Every move more hopeful than hurtful.
    • 26' Reid with a clumsly late challenge on N'Zogbia. Villa go short with the free-kick. Preferring to keep the ball rather than throw it into the box.
    • 25' Noble throws the ball into the box, but the free-kick is disappointing as it flies straight into the palms of Given in the Villa goal. Poor stuff really.
    • 24' Lowton blocked Matt Taylor on the run and West Ham have a free-kick out wide here. Chance to throw the ball into the box.
    • 23' Matt Taylor on the ball for West Ham, but brilliant tracking back work by Ireland to retrieve the ball for Villa. Superb defending. Real awareness by the midfielder.
    • 22' Vlaar comes across to smash the ball away from Cole. No messing about by the Dutchman. Sweat dripping off the fans in the stands. Goodness knows how the players are feeling.
    • 21' Ireland picking out the run of El Ahmadi, but he can't get a shot at goal as another promising Villa move peters out. Some bright work by Ireland in midfield.
    • 20' Aston Villa have won none of their last eight Premier League away games (D4 L4). Lacking a cutting edge here at the key moments going forwards.
    • 19' Little doubt that Villa are the better side on the ball. West Ham struggling to make any real impact here against a well structured visiting team.
    • 18' Holman on the run for Villa down the flank. Lovely sweeping move, but he lifts the cross well out of play. That is a disappointing cross.
    • 17' Taylor with the corner for the Hammers, but the ball flies just over the head of Collins and Villa can again pick up in the middle of the park.
    • 16' Cole sees a glimpse of the Villa goal in the box, but his fresh air shot isn't going to trouble the visitors before Cole smashes the ball off Vlaar for a corner.
    • 15' Poor play by Nolan as he surrenders possession in the middle of the park before fouling N'Zogbia. A free-kick to the visitors, who again look to keep the ball.
    • 14' Clark smashes the ball away after Vaz Te flicked a ball into the middle. All too easy for Villa after Delph had been given the slip.
    • 13' In five of the last seven Premier League seasons at least one promoted club has won on the opening weekend of the season. Not looking like West Ham so far today.
    • 12' Villa will be slightly happier with the start to the match. Haven't created much, but West Ham have done nothing as Collins loops a header back into the path of Jaaskelainen.
    • 11' Paul Lambert with his usual Martin O'Neill-esque stance on the side of the park. Doesn't look overly impressed with what he is watching so far this afternoon.
    • 10' Decent passage of play by Villa before El Ahmadi whacks an effort miles over the bar for a goalkick to the home side.
    • 9' Dare I say it, but even a few nerves as Matt Taylor takes his eye off a ball that runs out of play. Villa again pick up in the middle of the park.
    • 8' The Olympic Stadium is only a couple of miles away from here, but the Olympic Games are a million miles away from the thoughts of these fans, who are desperate to see their respective sides grab a win. Not too much happening in the opening 10 minutes.
    • 7' Cole and Nolan trying to get on the end of a longish free-kick, but the ball flies behind the goal for a goalkick to the visiting side. All a bit scrappy at the moment.
    • 6' Aston Villa’s points total in the 2011-12 season was their lowest since 1986/87 (36) when they were relegated. Will be looking for better this term.
    • 5' McCartney takes out N'Zgobia as Villa try to gain some momentum. Holman couldn't pick out Bent in the home box and the ball is smashed clear by the Hammers. Neat play by Villa.
    • 4' Good work by Baker as he tracked back the run of Vaz Te. The ball runs behind for a goalkick to the visiting side. Should really have got a cross in there.
    • 3' The ball up in the air in the middle of the park. Both teams yet to really settle into the match as Vlaar gets a touch at the back for Villa.
    • 2' West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce won four of his final seven Premier League matches as Blackburn manager before he was sacked. A real onus here today on keeping possession. N'Zogbia starting on the right wing for the visitors.
    • 1' We are off and running here. Villa get the match underway.
    • 14.57 A sweltering day at Upton Park with temperatures up in the 90s. Not exactly ideal weather for football. Far from ideal weather for football. A full house in for this match. The Hammers support making plenty of noise ahead of the kick-off.
    • 14.55 A reminder of those teams for you. West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Collins, McCartney, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Vaz Te, Cole, Taylor..subs: Henderson, Tomkins, Maynard, Maiga, O'Brien, Diarra, O'Neil////Aston Villa: Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, N'Zogbia, Ireland, Bent..subs: Guzan, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Herd, Burke, Gardner////Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
    • 14.50 West Ham have won just one of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Aston Villa (W1 D4 L5). The Hammers netted more goals from set pieces than any other side in the Championship in 2011-12 (33).
    • 14.45 Only relegated Wolves (23) dropped more points from winning positions than Aston Villa (22) in the 2011-12 Premier League. The Villans scored fewer headed goals than any other team in the 2011-12 Premier League (3), while only Man Utd (16) scored more than new manager Paul Lambert’s Norwich City side (15).
    • 14.40 Paul Lambert (Aston Villa): "The history of Villa, that raises the bar because of that side of things and the expectancy level. When you go to any club it's hard. It's not an easy job, football management, and Norwich was tough to turn around. Villa are huge. I can't wait for the season to start now, the atmosphere, the adrenalin rush, and trying to win as many games as we can. We have to hit the ground running and that is what we will try and do. You have to be ready. There is no turning back."
    • 14.35 Sam Allardyce (West Ham United): "I don't think there is any kind of comfortable start in the Premier League. I think there is a possibility that we could get off to a good start if we give a good account of ourselves. We are looking for a good performance by our players and that may give us a chance to win the first game here at Upton Park at the start of a new Premier League season."
    • 14.30 Aston Villa summer signing Brett Holman has shaken off a knee problem and the midfielder is included in the squad. Other newcomers, central defender Ron Vlaar, right-back Matthew Lowton and midfielder Karim El Ahmadi, all start at Upton Park. However, striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (knee), defender Richard Dunne (groin) and winger Marc Albrighton (foot) are still sidelined for manager Paul Lambert's first competitive match in charge.
    • 14.25 Jack Collison misses West Ham's Premier League opener on Saturday but James Collins starts against his former club. The 23-year-old Collison played a key part in the Hammers' promotion via the play-offs but aggravated an existing knee injury in the process, which has seen him miss pre-season. Fellow Wales international Collins is fit again after a groin injury, while manager Sam Allardyce revealed his summer signings from overseas, Alou Diarra and Modibo Maiga, will not start.
    • 14.20 Teams: West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Redi, McCartney, Collins, Demel; Nolan, Taylor, Vaz Te, Noble, Diame, Cole////Aston Villa: Given, Baker, Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, El Ahmadi, Delph, Ireland, N'Zogboa, Holman, Bent
    • 14.15 Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of the opening day of the new Premier League season as West Ham United host Aston Villa at Upton Park.

  • Summary

    • 90+2' Chance on the break for West Ham to tie it all up, but Baker gets back to get the ball off the line from Maiga's shot after the sub had rounded Given. Should have been 2-0 there.
    • 77' Chance to wrap up the points for Villa, but Matt Taylor's free-kick is nodded wide of goal by Cole. Should have scored with that chance.
    • 75' Villa looking slightly ragged it must be said. Ireland trying to drive Villa up the park. Vlaar goes for goal from 30 yards, but Jaaskelainen dives to his right to make the stop.
    • 65' Nolan's shot scrambled away frantically by the Villa defence after some more neat play by Vaz Te out wide. Vlaar was back to get the ball away with Given beaten.
    • 50' Demel picks out Cole in the box. Lovely pass by him. Seemed to be forced to the ground by Vlaar, but Mike Dean says no penalty. Not sure Vlaar should have made that challenge. Gets away with it.
    • 47' An early chance for Ireland in the second period. Knocks a volley on the run at goal, but straight into the arms of Jääskeläinen. Easy enough take.
    • 38' GOAL! Nolan scores for West Ham. Vaz Te was given offside, but the referee says no and Vaz Te slips the ball to Nolan for the opening goal. Easy finish with Given beaten.
    • 34' Nolan goes for power. Forced Given to dive to his right, but just wide of the target. Best effort at goal of the half so far. Which is saying something. Hasn't been a classic it must be said.
    • 14.55 A reminder of those teams for you. West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Reid, Collins, McCartney, Noble, Diame, Nolan, Vaz Te, Cole, Taylor..subs: Henderson, Tomkins, Maynard, Maiga, O'Brien, Diarra, O'Neil////Aston Villa: Given, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Holman, El Ahmadi, Delph, N'Zogbia, Ireland, Bent..subs: Guzan, Bannan, Weimann, Lichaj, Herd, Burke, Gardner////Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)
    • 14.20 Teams: West Ham United: Jaaskelainen; Redi, McCartney, Collins, Demel; Nolan, Taylor, Vaz Te, Noble, Diame, Cole////Aston Villa: Given, Baker, Vlaar, Clark, Lowton, El Ahmadi, Delph, Ireland, N'Zogboa, Holman, Bent

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6 7
      Defenders
      5.5 6
      5.5 6
      5.3 7
      Substitution Out71′ 5.8 6
      Midfielders
      6.4 6
      6.4 7
      Goal Substitution Out73′ 6.9 7
      Strikers
      7.3 7
      6 7
      Substitution Out81′ 5.7 7
      Subs
      Substitution In71′ 7.3 6
      Substitution In73′ 6.3 6
      Substitution In81′ 5.5 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.5 6
      Defenders
      6.1 5
      6.5 7
      Yellow Card 6.1 6
      5.4 6
      Midfielders
      8 5
      Substitution Out77′ 6.1 5
      Substitution Out74′ 6.5 5
      Substitution Out62′ 6.7 5
      Strikers
      5.5 6
      5.7 5
      Subs
      Substitution In77′ 9 6
      Substitution In62′ 9.3 6
      Substitution In74′ - -

Comment 31 - 51 of 51

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  1. Fund-a-mental needs to get out more!!

    From tara, on Wed 22 Aug 21:07

  2. I don't understand. What was wrong with us? I could­ tell from the way we were playing that we had no­ interest in winning, let alone going for an equaliser.­ We still lack motivation. I hope to see a much more­ energetic performance next week against the Toffees.

    From Matteos Maserati, on Sun 19 Aug 9:44

  3. been a fan for 40 yrs and i am a season ticket holder­ and watched todays game no fire in the team ,no grit ­ just like last season he needs a good clear out darren­ bent got no service ,we had no real good shots on goal ­ the new signings looked good and we need more . what­ really bothers me is the lack of grit today and last­ season . no creative midfield and no player wants to­ have a go and attack drive into the box . I HOPE THEY­ PLAY BETTER ON THERE FIRST HOME GAME AND I APPRECIATE­ RANDYS CASH INPUT BUT HE AS JUST SOLD CLEVLAND BROWNS­ IS VILLA NEXT ,IF NOT COME ON RANDY LERNER BACK THIS­ MANAGER AND DONT RELY ON THE UNDER 21S THEY ARE NOT­ READY OR IN SOME CASES NOT GOOD ENOUGH

    From Keith, on Sat 18 Aug 19:10

  4. how much did sam pay for a win

    From George Attride, on Sat 18 Aug 17:48

  5. How can Matt Taylor wrap up the points for Villa,­ unless he scores a couple of own goals? Get your info­ correct FFS

    From GRANT, on Sat 18 Aug 16:42

  6. and wheres is Pappa today...

    From uglytroll, on Sat 18 Aug 16:37

  7. come on Hammers everone else is on 4...........leaving­ us behind they are .....

    From uglytroll, on Sat 18 Aug 16:36

  8. SOTV. :0)

    From Realist., on Sat 18 Aug 16:34

  9. lets have some more goals then Kevin.......COYI......

    From uglytroll, on Sat 18 Aug 16:12

  10. Kevin Nolan - a very underrated player! Will always get­ a few goals each season!

    From Wombat, on Sat 18 Aug 16:08

  11. up the 'ammers!

    From Ben, on Sat 18 Aug 15:55

  12. Tomkins on the bench, is Reid really that good?

    From McMullan, on Sat 18 Aug 15:54

  13. COYI..........

    From uglytroll, on Sat 18 Aug 15:50

  14. 2nd now, I spoke too soon!

    From McMullan, on Sat 18 Aug 15:47

  15. Hammers equal 3rd in the league according to eurosport­ right at the moment. Let's end the league now har­ har har

    From McMullan, on Sat 18 Aug 15:43

  16. "A bit of blood spilling from the side of the­ right eye of Vlaar. He looks like he might have to head­ off for some treatment here.".........­ TRANSLATION.....West Ham are so shyte that they are­ already reverting to type & trying to nobble the­ opposition because their hoof it & hope game plan­ isn't working against a team who are getting the­ ball down & out playing them. I've seen the­ West Ham barn door & there isn't a mark on it.­ The Yahoo commentator is calling West Ham poor but only­ because he's not allowed to say shyte. keep­ dreaming Hammers because come the end of the season­ that dream will be the nightmare of relegation....­ Again. AVFC

    From zippy, on Sat 18 Aug 15:41

  17. god damm it's nice to be back come on west­ ham!!!!!!!!!!!

    From Robin, on Sat 18 Aug 15:31

  18. Spammers will be a yoyo club, goin down this season...­ Stop blowin Bubbles ya sicko's the monkey's­ had enough

    From Mike, on Sat 18 Aug 15:30

  19. come on villa!!!

    From neo m, on Sat 18 Aug 15:22

  20. Come on west ham you can do it a match winner is a­ happy hammer west ham 2 - 1 aston villa aston­ villa beat west ham your avin a laugh ain't ya

    From Craige, on Sat 18 Aug 14:38
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