Cardiff City v West Ham United Match of the Day Live

It feels like a big time cut final. He got it through, it is Mason! It

is Miller! Will Cardiff get a better chance to win it than that?

It is in! Cardiff are level. It is going to be settled by kicks from

12 yards. Gerrard has put it wide. They should not beat themselves up

about this because they have been outstanding. Welcome to Cardiff. 12

million viewers shared in the paint at Wembley last week, now it is

back on and today they are up against the Hammers, who are

looking to bounce back up to the Premier League at the first time of

asking. West Ham United are relegated! You just wonder whether

Scott Parker has taken off a West The man who will be giving the team

talk, Sam Allardyce has joined me. Looking back from August, would you

have taken where you are now in the league? Definitely, our progress

has been very good indeed in such a short period of time. We have had

to take over from a club that has been relegated, but the team is

focused now, they know each other better, and they are playing well.

Even playing with 10 men, we are still undefeated. Hopefully we can

take that form into today's game. You have this tough period, eight

games in March, 14 games now, what is it that you take into this last

push of the season? It is about the undefeated run. If that happens,

the tired legs don't seem quite as tired. He you have depth. We have,

we lost Julien Faubert today with an illness last night, but the

squad is still good, there is still a good bench, and we have been in

good form recently so we will need to take that into the game against

Cardiff today. Eight games in March, six games in April, hopefully that

is all we have got. You been away for a few games, I'm not sure if

you watched the penalty shoot-out last week and thought this would be

good. All the men watched it, and of course two different aspects.

you choose the music by the way? not me! They have had what looked

like a very good day, very disappointing at the end, and they

did themselves proud. We were taking a sunshine break in Dubai,

so it is a challenge. Have they got fatigue? Who knows. By will let you

go and dance. Let's go to the home dug-out for the card of perspective,

Robbie Savage caught up with Malky Mackay. How are the men after last

week was a -- after last week? is the first time we got the whole

group together on Friday, but overall sense of achievement,

obviously, and that little glimmer that you are a two penalty kicks

away from lifting the trophy. is the planned for the rest of the

season? To play every game competitively, to hope we can

compete and to aim as high as possible. We would love to get into

the play-offs. It is a brand new team coming together and the

journey through the Carling Cup has been great, but at the same time we

want to among the top six. Opening day of the season, you beat West

Ham 1-0, same again today? That would be lovely. It was a tough

draw, we had 10 days for part of the season and we had six days to

build up a team to go to Upton Park on the Sunday, it was live as well.

We had Scott Parker then, and we obviously nicked it at the last

minute. It was not a convincing victory, it was uneven game, but

West Ham have bought a lot of people since then. A lot of finance

has been spent, and there is that gamble of the club going up this

year. It will be a tough game, on the back of a lot of good victories

recently. It will be tough today. If good luck.

Every little thing will be all right has just started on the PA

system here. The stage has been set as a reminder to those fans who

made the journey last week that everything will be OK. They have

got to put it into action today against a West Ham side who have

their own aspirations this season. They are hoping to see their team

keep pace on the leaders, Southampton. Both the top two side

have started in recent weeks. Reading have been putting real

pressure on the top two. Cardiff can get back into the top six today,

or they could find themselves cut adrift if they lose this afternoon.

Alongside Robbie Savage who conducted that interview so

beautifully, former England goalkeeper David James, who spent

three years at West Ham. Good to have you here. You can't let me

start without asking you about the waistcoat. This is my Bristol City

waistcoat. I thought Robbie was going to be more colourful today.

You played in these two sides, are either of them more equipped than

the other? West Ham are read decent outfit. They have taken Nicky

Maynard from Bristol City, he is a very talented player. I think

Cardiff, especially for today, will maybe suffer from the events of

last weekend. There is usually a Hanover after that. It will be

tough for them. Can they use it as inspiration? When you have come so

close to glory, they want to mix in with the big boys, don't they?

lost in a Cup final against Spurs, and the following week my

performance was the best of the season. Today they are all heroes.

It is a tough game for them, but they will have recovered from last

week. It is such a busy period now. They have eight games in March, 14

until the end of the season. It is a tough period, you have got to get

through it. At the end of March, perhaps we will have a better idea

about where these teams will be. course, the clearer it will become.

The games come thick and fast, and house Sam Allardyce has managed to

get them out to Dubai, I don't know! He has got them out there for

whatever reason, perhaps a bit of energising and sunshine. He has a

very deep squad to work with, a lot of depth. Yes I was saying today,

the forward line for West Ham, the strength in the squad is a

Premiership squad so I think they are more equipped than Cardiff to

get promoted. They do well here, but they do concede goals. Do you

expect to see goals today? What is interesting is that they have not

kept any clean sheets at home, so with West Ham strike force and the

League keenness of Cardiff's defence, it could be... The Welsh

voices have started, I can barely hear you. We are all looking

forward to this one. The teams are getting ready in the tunnel,

standing by, Jonathan Pearce. It is emotional homecoming for Cardiff's

Wembley warriors. The message in the tunnel... Fire and passion.

That which does not kill us makes us stronger, it says in the match

programme. Monday might have been melancholy, as the squad brutally

self- analysed and realised what they should have achieved a week

ago, had they not been so wasteful with chances or penalties. Tuesday

saw the self-pity start to disappear, to be replaced by new

focus and determination in the dressing room and in the stance as

well. Just two League wins in seven games has seen their promotion bid

falter. There is work to be done, and it starts against a West Ham

side unbeaten in four games with nine away wins this season, under

pressure themselves to win here after the Southampton win at Leeds

left the hammer as four points off the top spot. A victory today would

take them four points clear of third-placed Reading. Although the

situation could be clouded if Portsmouth go out of business and

their results are expunged. The Hammers would lose six points as a

result and tumble out of the top two. So, an important day for both

clubs. As Mark Hudson leads Cardiff out, his first league game in over

a month, having returned from injury last week at Wembley. He

played so much more -- so magnificently. Cardiff have got to

get that defeat out of their system. West Ham need another away victory.

It will be a nervy first five minutes. West Ham have more Premier

League experience, more top-flight experience of crucial games at the

business end of the season, for good and bad. Will that hold them

in good Stead in the weeks to come? Cardiff bring back their preferred

league goalkeeper, David Marshall, for Tom Heaton, otherwise they

trust the men who went so close against Liverpool, even though a

number of them looked so drained in missed the spot kick, is not in the

squad. West Ham have two changes, booed off after the 0-0 draw

so Henry Lansbury comes in. But for all their quality, they have not

won a league game in Cardiff since 1980 when Ray Stewart scored the

only goal. The remix queue had just been invented. -- the rubrics Cuba.

Cardiff really need similar to exercise his Wembley demons, having

missed a great chance in normal time and seeing his spot-kick miss

the post. West Ham United will look for an inspirational Henry Lansbury,

who played for 35 minutes in goal in a game that black -- at

today, a really good encounter, the Business End of the season as we

always ate. The managers get themselves together and assess what

they want to achieve -- as we always say. 13 or 14 games to go,

I'm sure that Malky Mackay is having a good chat to the boys once

he got them back together. You have to put the disappointments behind

Duke, we have all been there. It is about balancing back. -- behind you.

And it is about bouncing back. Any slip up as above them, they have to

make sure they take advantage. Bright and sunny now. We had a wet

and melancholy morning, matching the Cardiff mood as they left

Wembley a week ago. Chris for Lee from left to right. The ball played

forward by McCartney -- West Ham Cardiff released financial figures

showing a �12 million loss. The previous year, it was �922,000. The

lower figure reflected the sale of Ninian Park. There is financial

pressure here still, despite the what the owners from the Far East.

They could very well do with a promotion play-off position, but

Ham player, still in his mid-20s, a week, with Brighton in midweek.

Away by Hartson. -- Hudson. Vaz Te, reunited with Sam Allardyce, who

was his manager at Bolton. Tomkins has played well in central midfield

in recent games. Cleared by O'Brien, the former Bolton man. A goal-kick.

It looked at a corner today. -- to me. I think Kevin Nolan thinks the

Wembley. They played so well. there, they gave everything they

had, they represented the club and in many ways the country, and they

won a lot of friends. Malky Mackay will say, we have to build on that.

If you are wondering where Liam Lawrence is, he was signed from the

troubled Portsmouth, he had a calf strain and has not made the scored

yet. Cutely done by George McCartney, the experience nor the

Ireland international. -- experienced Northern Ireland

international. Malky Mackay has signed a contract extension through

to June 2016. He had a lot to deal with when he came in. He did not

have a team, did he? No, a couple of kids, he has done ever so well

with his signings, it shows you what can be done. Whittingham was

making the run-through but save pants from Robert Green. Brought

down neatly by Taylor, having a very good season. He came through

the excellent Middlesbrough academy. dangerous, arcing cross. That was

good play by Kevin Miller -- Kenny Miller. Rob Green was not too sure.

the six-yard area, he too long. I think it Tomkins just did: -- hit

long. I think it Tomkins just did enough. There was lots of light in

there, Gestede in there as well. -- for the challenge by Maynard.

was the earlier Cross, an easy save. When you are not too sure what is

behind you, you have to deal with football with injury. He came back

at the tail-end of last season. Vaz side, Ricardo Vaz Te against

of a winner. -- a winger. Ricardo Vaz Te was an Under 21

international in Portugal. He has been in English football for a

while but only really started He has moved towards the ball.

McCartney was not offside but because Maynard made a movement, he

was deemed to be active by the assistant referee. He actually put

his flag back down again, once he saw George McCartney chasing the

ball, but the referee had already reacted. We can see that Maynard is

offside. Had he not moved for the ball, McCartney would have been on

side. Mason is in the box, gear tax competitions, Cardiff, they are

strong here. Preparations for this were interrupted by international

Nolan was Square, it was just aged away by Turner. Good covering by

Turner. Maynard showed a good turn of pace. Hartson does not see him,

fans to be leaning down. -- sought by the Cardiff fans. He had a new

lease of life at West Ham. He was originally there in 2006 before

cover from O'Brien. There was Cowie, he skies it. Two good opportunities

for Cardiff. Don Cowie with the volley. Before this, Gestede should

have struck that. As the ball falls with the outside of his right foot,

just take it on the half volley and between Cowie and his fellow

Scotsman, Miller, at Wembley last week. I was quite impressed with

Gestede. He does not score lot of goals but he led the line very well,

he troubled Liverpool in the air. As he is doing here today. It is

only his 10th start. He is big and raw. He has a good touch as well.

happens if Portsmouth go out of business and the results are

expunged. It would have a significant effect on Sam

Allardyce's team, they would lose 6 points picked up against Pompey and

they would drop five points out of the top two. It would be disastrous,

Maynard. Maynard lifted his foot, the free kick is given. It is

far off. David James will let you know his thoughts at half-time, he

will know him from Bristol City days, Nicky Maynard. He has so much

pace. He scored nearly 50 goals at Ashton Gate. Recently, something of

a goal drought. Over the top, looking for Gestede. Faye could not

get there. Cowie chase, Taylor is the ball, Miller in a deep position

-- Gunnarsson has not seen much of the ball. He comes off the front

line, in Between the Lines, he picks the ball up, no one

confronting him, he teased, plenty of time to get the shot in. Close

enough. Champion in Scotland for Celtic and Rangers. He needs a goal.

Taylor, towards Gestede, Tomkins was there. Noble got fortunate.

Lansbury switched the play to was to go beyond, wide -- came in.

He is better move was to go beyond. Marshall hasn't kept a clean sheet

in six games and the word from the boys in the studio, they have not

kept a clean sheet here in 2012. They average a goal again, conceded.

It doesn't matter, if you score two, line, and he is the furthest

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championship player of the year, Whittingham. He has adjusted his

game, playing more centrally now. He has always played as a winner.

Still contributing with the goals what a good chance that tears.

composes himself, nice and steady, it comes off Kevin McNaughton. He

just gets himself underneath the ball. A really good opportunity.

The most clear cut of the game. Hasn't scored since they defeated

Ipswich on transfer deadline day, when they were perhaps focused on

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think it was. A hit a straight the crowd. There you go, a little push.

He only played 50 games in France before he made his move. He wants

to play for the USA, at Atalanta. He has good attributes, he is good

in the air, he has a decent touch. He has a good understanding of

Kenny Miller. He is up against a real international defender, isn't

opportunity for staff good movement from him, just falling backwards as

he hits this. Never a regular at Bolton. In the season he scored 12

for Barnsley before moving to West Ham different, he can run with pace

but I have to get the ball wide and through to him, as opposed to long

balls towards him because obviously Mark Hudson and Turner will win

knows all day. Nicky Maynard has not have the best of receptions

here, being a former Bristol City probably didn't really have any joy

so he has tried the other wing and had some opportunities. He must

have been studied throughout the season, setting the world on fire.

The best defence in the division going into this week. The most

important statistic is where they West Ham, moving the ball well,

Lansbury. A good ball, an early cross to the header from Collison.

He just needed more composure. He pulls it off, a good position, and

that is two really good have had more possession but we

away from home, recently at Blackpool. West Ham were really on

Mackay to get his team focused for the rest of the season? It is an

uphill struggle now to win promotion, and the League Cup has

cost so many teams the remaining period of their season over the

years. They have a huge prize in front of them. They are looking at

Premier League football next season. Getting to the Carling Cup final

was a bonus, a fantastic achievement for them, they have

experienced that and they want to get there again in the play-offs.

It is there in front of them. They have held their position near the

top, and now is the time to strive for the last games. It is a message

- look at the stadium. They have been unlucky the last few seasons.

Their manager might be saying this is our time now. We have done well

to get to the Cup final but we need April, look how many games they

have got. In those games, anything can happen at the top. You just

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play. He is saying to done Cowie, the centre backs fed it into the of

midfield, into gonna send and Whittingham and started off the

moves, they hardly played any of those long balls. They have got to

do the same again, they have got to get some rhythm going. Malky Mackay

actually had a spell at West Ham United as a player, signed from

Norwich, he won three successive promotions with West Ham and

ball. They want Ricardo Vaz Te further forward, receiving that

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possession, Cardiff dropping back. catches him on his ankle,

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unintentionally obviously, but I Cardiff. There was a suspicion of a

plush by Noble but nothing was run from Collison. -- Hudson read

Wasteful, both teams are wasteful in possession. West Ham are having

the easy possession in and around the halfway line. When it comes to

the key pass, the killer ball, it seems to be a bit long. Once again,

it to straight, from left back to the left channel. The ball is to be

thread through midfield. -- the ball needs to be threaded through

midfield. Tomkins was under no real pressure, he could guide it back to

West Ham up front. Now they have won it back. Maynard looked for

Lansbury. Peter Whittingham is sitting deep. They played the ball

through him last week. Everyone else started it off him. Kevin

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Hudson had lots of time. People was too long. Wasted her again. --

wasted again. Both teams are trying to find rhythm around the penalty

area. If I was Gestede, I would pull away to the far post,

encouraged the ball to be floated touch by Turner but they got away

with it. Mason was looking for Gestede, who pulled up, no great

pace. He seemed to pull up to me. He did to me. Didn't seem like he

had pulled anything. He is just being the back of his thigh. --

just feeling. The right hamstring. He has signalled to the bench as

well. Yes. He is struggling. He should just go down. It is clear

that he is injured. Mark Noble, sudden, he uses up. It has probably

gone tight. It looked like he was favourite at one stage. I think

Harris book it will be the man to come on for them. -- Harris Vukic

will be the man to come on. I would say he has felt that, as he has

this week, played for half-an-hour against Scotland. He is ready, as

season for Newcastle. They rate his Miller further forward and Vukic

will play off him, that is what very poor. The game has lacked

tempo. As Cardiff are the home team, you expect them to initiate the

play. Get it going, get some rhythm going, try to push West Ham back.

West Ham have dominated possession. I think Cardiff have allowed them

to have the ball around the halfway line. They have sat quite deep.

They have tried to wait to hit them on the counter. The last 10 minutes

of the first half. Here is way by Faye. A low strike from gun

as a! -- from Gunnarsson. A decent strike. He eased himself further

forward. There is the header out. Icelandic international. He was on

international duty away to had more time than he thought.

Kevin Nolan said to Vaz Te, that is why you should be. A great little

ball. He is standing, instead of trying to anticipate the cross.

Nolan said, that is a cabin if you are moving forward. He was waiting

for it to happen, instead of making it up and -- that is a tap-in and

he waited for it to happen, instead of making it happen. Faye was just

caught after he headed it away, was an elbow. Vukic is saying,

that's not the case. It was after falling, it is not likely swings it.

He misses the ball. -- not like he swings it. I don't think there is

any intention, I think he is trying to prove that to Faye. The West Ham

physio did well, he made sure there player, he did well at Stoke. They

have only lost four league games when he has been in Sam Allardyce's

starting line-up. I think if he sees that on the TV, he will see

that Vukic wasn't trying to hurt not pick him out. Gunnarsson.

from which Mason scored last week. That is better. They are asking

Square, passing square. You can see that Tomkins was playing everybody

he was scoring at Plymouth, last season. �250,000, the price-tag,

when Cardiff bought him in the summer. He went 10 games without a

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Gunnarsson finds Hudson and this is Nolan, furthest forward again.

Ham can be expansive again. They have scored four times on their

travels on three occasions but they can also be tight and restrictive

as they were down at Brighton. Discipline is key for Sam Allardyce.

The here is our Lorton. -- McNaughton. I don't think there was

a free kick. I think he is trying to buy one of the linesman and the

referee. I think he just jockey Tim quality. He was being pressurised.

I'm sure that Malky Mackay will ask the boy is to move the ball a bit

quicker in the second half and can we get it down the sides of the

centre backs. Gestede is off, so they don't have a lot of height.

Can they have more creativity from midfield? Maynard took that well,

the pass was behind Nolan. Onside, he went to place it, 1-0 West Ham!

Just over two minutes left in the first half, and a moment of class

at last, from a player with bags of Full credit to Nicky Maynard for

finding it. He runs off the front man so well. Once he wins the ball,

he goes. He is moving forward, he is looking for the space, he knows

where it is. The hand goes up for offside, there could be a shade of

that. He knows where he wants it, knows what he is doing and he just

slides it in. His eighth goal of the season. A great finish.

eighth career goal from a midfield performances they have put in. I

mentioned the Brighton game a while back, it is very similar to that.

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Turner has gone for what. -- little flick on by Collison. A

little question that Nolan might have been offside, he was onside

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singing at the moment. Going into half-time, it is a good time to

score. Really they have won the midfield battle. Look at the man

Ham United cautious, waiting for their moment, and then it came.

Just before half-time, Kevin Nolan stroking them ahead. Cardiff City

have not really tested Robert Green, and it is West Ham United ahead at

Let's get the thought of David and Robbie. Are you surprised in a way

that West Ham did not seize the opportunity, and make hay with the

chances they had earlier on? What telling is the fact Cardiff's

chances have come from outside the box. They have had opportunities to

deliver the ball into better areas and failed. West Ham look a little

bit more hungry for it, a bit more composed. A bit more like a team

that didn't have a crushing defeat at Wembley last week perhaps? Is

that what you're sensing from Cardiff? Yes, they have found it

difficult. Kevin Nolan has been dropping them in so deep, no one

has been there. West Ham, the goal from Kevin Nolan committee has a

great habit of popping up in the box unmarked. Let's take a look at

the goal because there was a question in commentary about

whether it was offside. You can set them straight, David. He should not

have had the chance. The full-backs switched off, it is a great finish,

you can't take that away from him, but he was not favoured when the

ball pops out. He in that situation, somebody has got a career everybody

out. Kevin Nolan is unmarked. It is a fantastic finish. That is one of

the first shot on target. I don't think either keeper has made a save

yet. Kenny Miller did have a good chance after about 30 minutes and

you thought this was his chance for redemption after the penalty last

week which didn't go in. This didn't going either but he had

plenty of space. Kenny Miller dropped deep, and he had a

fantastic chance. Gestede made the fantastic chance. Gestede made the

break. The ball comes out to Kenny Miller. Nobody goes out to him.

Normally somebody would have closed him down. Somebody needs to close

him down there. Didn't see too much from Cardiff earlier. The know, I

was surprised. The space that Kenny Miller had there, West Ham have

been more dog-eared in the middle of the park. Cardiff have allowed

West Ham to play a little bit more. There had chances but they wasted

them. Jack Collison had a good chance, didn't he? Yes, this is a

great ball coming in from O'Brien here. He just got underneath it,

but West Ham have been the dominant side. When the team is playing well,

every single player closes the ball down, they are more hungry, and

they create better chances. much time, too much space, and he

has got to hit the target. goalkeeper was tested in any of

these chances. A good move, and eyes cross from Henry Lansbury to

Nicky Maynard. As Robbie was going to say at half-time, the first goal

was always going to be crucial. know Nicky Maynard from Bristol

City, obviously? I do. He had a bad injury before I signed for the club,

and it has taken him a long time to get back to speak but unfortunately

we had to let him go, couldn't sort out the contracts but he will do

very well. There was a good chance for Gunnarsson. Yes, he is a very

good midfield player. I would say don't shoot from here because the

ball was bouncing. He struck that well. Cardiff have been limited to

long-range chances because West Ham have been closing the ball down

well and they were the better team. Kevin Nolan has come through a

three-game ban but the captain has delivered. What's our Cardiff

lacking today? They are lacking in wide areas. Kevin Nolan was trying

to drop the ball and run in behind all the time. Maybe with the

addition of Lawrence, who Portsmouth have to let go for

financial reasons, he might be a good addition. I think so. Now

Gestede has come off with these... How did he described it? The paint

in the back of his thigh. The will be his hamstring! Possibly the

second ball, when the ball was going into him, he was making a run

behind but there was nobody to feed into. Lawrence himself is in aerial

threat. Not in the squad today but may be going forward. In the future,

I think there is an aerial threat because the back of the thigh...!

Time now to catch up on the Premier League, a nice quiet north-eastern

derby to hear about. The nothing quiet about this one,

it has been feisty. Kata more was booked within 40 seconds. --

Cattermole. Sunderland overall in the first half were the better side.

Newcastle finished the half strongly, but they have much

improved in the second period. It has been all Newcastle, especially

Sunderland having to retreat with 10 men. They have just had a strong

penalty appeal as well, handball against O'Shea. Sunderland still

leading 1-0. That game forms part of a tasty

triple bill on tonight's Match Of had one eye on the top teams in the

championship this week. Here is a round-up of the significant action.

It is Lambert! What a finish. The championship's top scorer gets his

20th of the campaign. At the form team in the championship are

Reading. They recorded their sixth

successive victory, and at this is magnificent. One touch off his

feet, and bang. Goal! An equaliser for Hull City.

It has gone in, now it is three against three. On to his right foot,

feeds it towards King. Davis with the cross, and it is headed in. It

is Steven Davis. Robertson is onside, and it is 2-2. What a

comeback by Derby County. My calls Brown returned to the top

six after a win at Portsmouth. Portsmouth without a win in six,

and France fear for the club's existence after hearing they may

not be able to complete the season. Brighton are the only team not to

lose a championship fixture in 2012. Bottom of the table Doncaster

earned a point with the second half penalty from L have -- from Diouf.

Nottingham Forest are now unbeaten in three. This deflected shot put

them in front at Barnsley, but Craig Davis levelled. Bristol City

arrived it Ipswich having taken just one point from their previous

six matches. Troubles off the pitch at Ipswich, Michael Chopra was

fined after reported drinking session midweek. Andy Drury sealed

their fifth win in six but it is nine matches without a clean sheet

now for David James. Tight at the top, but Southampton

are in the ascent. Cardiff can get into the top six today with a win.

West Ham of course with that 1-0 lead. At the bottom end of the

table, the relegation zone made up of Coventry, Portsmouth, and

Doncaster Rovers. We will talk about them later, but some breaking

news - on just the loss Bolas has parted company with Chelsea

Football club today with immediate effect. -- Andres Villas Boas. Did

you see that coming? I am not surprised, all the publicity in the

last few weeks, nobody supporting him. I'm not surprised, but what

Chelsea need to do now is to have a manager allowed to manage the team

three years because they keep chopping and changing. You say that,

but he might have thought he was the man. But I thought he could win,

that guy. I still think he could win. Who vote is going to want to

take that job? You basically have a few months to prove your

credentials. It is a difficult one. The frequency in the managerial

changes at the club can't help at any level. You need consistency and

it will be a tough task. I imagine there will be plenty of people who

would like to take that job. What is the remit for Chelsea now? Is it

to get rid of the old guard, or instant success? I think he was put

in to build for the future, leaving the experienced players out he got

criticised and parted company. Chelsea are out of the top four at

the moment. A Newcastle victory and they would be level on points as

well. If Newcastle win today, I say that but they are trailing today.

Changing tack slightly, today on BBC One there is some bonus six

are a long way from the arctic conditions of three weeks ago. Even

though it is a sell-out, the question is, how many Irish fans

will make the journey 22 days on. This is a huge game for Ireland,

they have only won here once in 40 years and the expectation is that

at some point, this team that promises so much has got to deliver.

Absolutely, it is a huge game. They are nervous about Ed. It is one of

those games where if they get the confidence, they can do something -

- nervous about it. Because they have lost so often here, they are

lacking in self-belief. The French side are arriving, they have played

two, won two. There is a feeling that this is the inevitable third

leg towards a Grand Slam showdown against Wales. This Ireland team

have recovered confidence after the emphatic second half performance

against Italy. The Stade de France is fairly deserted at the moment.

The fascinating thing will be, how many Irish fans, who spent a

considerable amount of money three weeks ago to come for a game that

never was, how many will come from the furthest corners of Ireland. It

is 8 3:00pm kick-off. -- it is a 3:00pm kick-off.

here is a special man to talk you through a special Football Focus.

wait for no man. But if you tune into Football Focus next Saturday

at 12:15pm, I am going to be getting inside the mind of one of

the greatest characters ever to grace a football pitch in Britain.

Don't miss it. Who could it be? There could be fireworks. That's a

clue. It is not you, Robbie. Well set for the second half. Let's

rejoin our commentary team. West Ham have the lead. Mark Bright and

dozen peers are the commentary team. -- and Jonathan Pearce are the

in London football, your views on the departure of Andre Villas-Boas?

He seemed to lack confidence towards the end. In Abramovich, and

the project that he get talking about. You have got to get results.

Chelsea finished second last year. He has come up short with the

results. Going into the Napoli game, their whole season depends on that,

there is a struggle to qualify for the Champions League as well. I

think he will give the place a live, there is obviously something very

wrong with the players as well off manager, I am sure he will come

again. Cardiff will kick us off in the blue and white, trailing 1-0.

They immediately give West Ham a throw-in. West Ham, ticking towards

their travelling supporters. -- kicking towards. Vaz Te and

your half-time cup of tea, Chelsea have parted company with Andre

Villas-Boas and Roberto di Matteo takes over as caretaker manager

until the end of the season. I wonder if one day, Frank Lampard or

was for West Ham, to get them back into Premier League football. Still

work to be done and Maynard gets the free kick. Sam knows him it

really well. You are thinking when Barton and Nolan departed from

Newcastle, they might be on tricky ground. They recovered well. They

are in a good league position. Many people discounted them for the

challenge for the Champions League not a winger. Nolan expected

Maynard pulls it back. Arriving was Lansbury. I thought for a moment,

Turner was going to get a touch. has come out, Vaz Te went around

him. Hudson clears it. What a pass. Vaz Te tried to flick it around

Marshall and go the other side. You can see how deep the defend -- the

defence is. It was good play from lose Scott Parker for the end of

August, he needed to bring in experience. He did with the likes

of Nolan and Faye. They have a deep scored. Nine strikers. -- deep

Gunnarsson got away from Nolan. Mason has come in field. Trying to

get the full backs board. Away by press higher, Cardiff. Interesting,

as the attack built up, Whittingham was in a more advanced position at

he has been in form -- as he has he was fouled. Vaz Te overplayed it.

You have got to capitalise on situations like that. Vaz Te did

the pace to get away. He went for a backheel. Maynard, trying to get

turn of place, to get himself in first. He moved the defenders one

way, he came the other way. He doesn't use his left foot, he tries

with his right, it was open for him, a great opportunity. Just wide. He

That is what Cardiff are about. Cardiff's attacking options are

limited. It is strange that Robert Earnshaw doesn't seem to be

featuring these days. He comes on as a sub, doesn't he? Not in favour

Collison's Arak gave it back to him, Nolan blocked. -- collars and's

error gave it back. The crowd is prostrating Cardiff. You have to

keep working away, try to position yourself way you can slide the ball

into the forwards. -- where you can slide the ball. He can't find the

Marshall came and made sure it was away from danger. West Ham are

making inroads down the left. Stretching the defence. Good

sweeping from David Marshall, the great movement. Maynard got back

and won it, the home crowd don't like it. I think he got the ball.

Nicky Maynard's place came in useful going the other way. I don't

think that Whittingham is aware. He just tucked it away from him. Great

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

and Lansbury. A player on loan from back, go across, or go back. There

is the full-time score from the north-east derby, Newcastle 1,

Sunderland 1. A great ball from Faye. Vaz Te is too far out to put

it towards goal, he is trying to nip it around Marshall to get the

other side. Hudson debt-financed deals it away. Terrible mistake by

McNaughton, Maynard! The keeper spread himself and made a very good

stop, it should have been two. Ham have had some good

opportunities and that was a gift. Oh, another one there. Maynard has

closed very quickly on marshal this time, Chris Foy is running in.

think he is all right, I think he slides to block the clearance and

Marshall jumps to avoid. I don't think it is a booking. All sorts of

problems. He tries to block it. He it was the header. Once again Nicky

Maynard gets in front of the goal. I am sure Sam Allardyce will be

thinking that is three good chances in the second half, they have not

and the goalkeeper, words expressed. Just lacking a bit of composure.

West Ham are moving the ball quickly and well. Clumsy, but good

around Ben Turner. Now everybody O'Brien hoists it back in, and

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

there was a push. Tomkins pushed assistant didn't give themselves a

on. The referee is trying to calm down the situation. The right thing

little touch down here, no composure. This happened earlier

off the free-kick. We saw them coming together, the swinging of

Barnes. If the referee sees that, see a way back into the game for

Cardiff. Jonathan, there is always a way back into the game. At 1-0,

you are never safe. They are only one opportunity from getting back

into the game, having the crowd behind them, but they need to give

the fans something to sing about. No Nolan was screaming for it

beyond the far post. I think he does just enough to put Vaz Te off.

Good play here. Collison get in here, was it too hard? I think it

was too hard for anybody to get on make a change. Carlton Cole is

warming up. He has won the ball. Referee is the only one in the

stadium who thinks that was not a foul. The first half was tepid, but

eye for the goal was well, hasn't he? He lets it drop, quick with the

swing. The challenge a few seconds ago, I thought it was a foul. The

change is taking place. Nicky Maynard departs. A good start of

the second half. Carlton Cole coming on, what will he give them

that is different? Taller, stronger, a better threat in the air. You

would have to say Nicky Maynard has had some good opportunities to get

his name on the scoresheet, and one lines and start again. His is

aground that generates greater excitement and noise. Gunnarsson

with the long throw in. Vaz Te! And it is just over the bar. Ben Turner

and Mark Hudson got there to the near post. It is a good long throw.

They are the centre-backs. Keeping his IRA on the ball, that is a gift.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

They have not tested Robert Green Nicky Maynard off the field now

could have really settled it for West Ham after a couple of mistakes.

This visit here, round the keeper, left foot, slide it in. He had a

volley this world. I think it was McNaughton with a header, and here

I expected Vaz Te to come over, support, help. 65 minutes. Checking

his notes. He needs a goal. Filip Kiss is on the bench, he has made

Miller. Closed quickly. Towards Carlton Cole. Twice now, in the

last couple of attacks, they have headed the ball away poorly, West

Ham United. They have not cleared it really, just moved its out of

the danger area. They have got to take a few chances. Carlton Cole is

up there on his own, just one behind the ball, just this push

frustrating the opponents. Don't give them any opportunity. It is a

good one for Peter Whittingham, the position it is in. Far enough so

that he can get it up over the wall The distance was good, the angle

was good. Up and down, Robert Green stranded. It just doesn't fall the

a free kick, none given. assistant was close by, nothing

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

Mason has let it slip away. Now Could play. Lovely counter-

attacking football. shaping it around, using the win in the

a way back for Cardiff, suddenly they have just given the crowd some

hope. They have tried to put some pressure on counter-attacks, that

shot from Kenny Miller over the bar. You have got to take chances. You

are coming to the time in the season when a draw is not really

will be interested in the plight of Portsmouth, whether they are at the

top or the bottom. If they go, their results will be expunged and

it will have a real effect. You have to feel sorry for those

supporters who have followed Portsmouth through thick and thin

equaliser. The angle was good for him. Everyone moved away, there was

only one thing in his mind. Up and over the wall and it was just the

width of the post. It could get them back in the grain, the crowd

get behind the team. -- back in the managers about their plans to deal

with various opponents -- a few Championship managers. When you ask

them about Cardiff they say they can have a game plan but if Peter

Whittingham takes a free kick, the plans can go down the drain. Most

teams have that special player. He has had a good goalscoring record

over the years. He was the leading goalscorer couple of years ago,

with 20 to from wide. -- 22 from think Mark Noble was looking for

Carlton Cole to come towards him. I tell you what, get on the weights!

It by is a bit of time, it takes the steam out of it, it runs down

hand side. Whittingham checks back on to his left foot, and the cross

measure his cross. Cowie, back to him. He dinks it in, straight to

Robert Green. Everybody is in the box. Five players waiting for that

come on. Collison, chasing, away by Tanner. West Ham are very efficient.

-- away by Turner. Good to see him back around the first team, he was

out for eight months after a horrible injury last season against

Aston Villa. Lansbury departs. O'Neil comes on. He had a brief

loan spell at Cardiff in 2004. He in the Premier League that would

have been a yellow card. There does scored! He made all the running and

it is 2-0 to West Ham. That has sent them a giant stride towards

victory. What a run. He picks the ball up by the halfway line. He

goes past Kevin McNaughton. He gets a bit lucky. The cross comes in, it

comes back to him, what a finish with the right foot. It bobbles

into the ground. David Marshall can opposed to out of play, Ben Turner.

I would say that has sealed the points for West Ham. I make that

his first goal in over five years. Five years and three months. Since

Ham United in his previous spell. Can't remember it! It was in the

Gunnarsson that he has played an advantage. -- indicated to

Gunnarsson. There is no way through. He can't -- Cardiff can't break

down the midfield. I think that is the best description for their

performance, really hard working, Robert Green. The ball was under

his feet, he did not get any power. The first save that Green has had

final. You expected Cardiff to start the game at a tempo and it

did not happen. West Ham dictated play. Nowlan got a round his man,

here in the last two seasons, in terms of the play-offs -- some hard

they were at the end of July and August, when he had to build a team

to kick of the season. He did it and got the wind against West Ham

United -- the win. It is a hard pill to swallow at the moment. A

difficult week ahead with a trip to Brighton, and then Bristol City.

Vaz Te, 10 minutes to go, he are two up. When Ricardo Vaz Te was

at Bolton, they always said he still had time but he is in his

mid-20s now. Sometimes they develop late, they sometimes drop down, to

are no passengers in West Ham. Everybody has to work hard. When

they are not in possession, they have a position, they get back,

they fill in and it is absolutely frustrating Cardiff to death.

Everybody is back behind the ball through. Gunnarsson just tumbled on

the edge of the penalty area. No question of it being a penalty.

Carlton Cole closing on Turner. And now Hudson, he has played well for

He fouled his man. He fouled him twice. The first goal in five years

Camp won in Cardiff in the league. It was 1980 -- since West Ham have

is to see your season unravel. You come to a key time in the season,

how much did the final take out of them? They have looked flat, they

haven't moved the ball well. Large credit to West Ham. The way that

they set up. Frustrate, a lot of experience in the team, but a lot

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Ham, with plenty of bodies back. thought it was a foul. Turner was

the man behind him. The Cardiff fans are not happy with Carlton

Cole. When you get to positions like this, where one team is

organised and you drop back behind the ball, you need individuals. If

you cannot play one-twos to get behind the defence, you need

somebody who can trouble. At the moment, Cardiff don't have the

person who can trouble. Vukic has drifted in and out of the game.

That was more direct from has covered so much ground. He

always seems to, for West Ham. makes himself available. McCartney

was fouled by Vukic. He makes himself available, he works hard,

he gets around the pitch. Just having a word with Nolan. In full

the goalkeeper. Created an opening, slipping away. Robert Green had to

come and get it. Abdoulaye Faye, his teeth touching his hamstring?

He'd just got in the way. A poor back pass, just trying to look the

other side. Virtually off the line target than Cardiff City. A lot of

empty spaces now in the stance. -- Campbell? It didn't seem to me that

now. A hundred and 20 minutes a lot of these Cardiff players played

best of passes. His shot, if it had Ghanaian -- gone in instead of

hitting the post, it would have face. Frustration, a tough seven

days. This is driven in, and it just hits McCartney's left hand. I

am not sure if he did it on purpose, but it is outside the penalty area.

You can't give a free-kick for that. I don't think so. Looking at it

from West Ham's perspective, what do you want to do? Keep a clean

sheet, don't give them any encouragement, quiet and the crowd,

and they have done all those things. At the start of the second half,

they created some really good opportunities which could have put

this well beyond Cardiff early in the game. Two minutes of stoppage

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

Jack Collison decided to come in, Kevin Nolan thought he was out.

This is something Sam Allardyce a snippet of an opportunity, he

didn't take it. West Ham needed to respond today, given Southampton's

victory yesterday, and they have done. They moved to within a point

again of Southampton at the top of the table. Reading have had a good

run, they are in third place, and it would leave Cardiff City looking

like promotion is a distant opportunity now. A lot of teams are

involved in trying to get into the play-offs. It is the automatic

it? They came so close with Kenny Miller, but it was West Ham South's

victory. The goals came from a familiar source with Kevin Nolan

getting the first of the goals, but the second goal was unexpected. No

one really anticipated that George McCartney's long and winding goal

would be a long and winding road... Unintended, that was! Or full! --

I got the Beatles joke, even if he didn't! West Ham and now one point

behind Southampton. Cardiff are now 11 points from an automatic

promotion place. They will be promotion place. They will be

pushing for the play-offs, but so many teams around them. Leicester

and firmly might think they are in with a shout because it is so

with a shout because it is so congested at the top.

Kevin, well played, back with a band. I have to really, didn't I?

The men have been fabulous. I am delighted with the clean sheet. My

little curl told me I had to score so that was for her. Was this a

good time to play Cardiff given their heartache last week? I don't

know, maybe that did take a bit out of them but we have to take

advantage. We were magnificent from start to finish, well worthy of 2-0.

Is there a feeling you can hang on to second place? We are going for

the first place. We want to win, we want to go up automatically, no

doubt about that but we want to go as champions so we will be pushing

Southampton all the way. Anywhere in this division, if they are

challenging their one to beat in the automatic places. For sure. I

thought it was a really good performance from West Ham. They got

a bit of fortune with the way the ball ricocheted for the cross in

but overall they have worked hard. Crucially timed, that first goal.

Cardiff will be kicking themselves, so many players around the ball.

Nobody made a tackle, there were six guys around him, but a great

finish. And was there some lethargy in Cardiff? George McCartney's

second goal for West Ham, perhaps second goal for West Ham, perhaps

as unexpected for him as it was for the defenders. They didn't seem to

really want to get in there. surprised. The defenders are in the

right position, but they have not decide -- decided who will take it,

and then it is in the back of the net. Kevin Nolan has got to do

better in the tackle. He has run through, he has gone 50 yards, and

he is the first to react. Poor defending from Cardiff. Peter

Whittingham, 1-0 to hit the post. He will be thinking about that a

night. Yes, the keeper might have saved it if it went inside the post.

I don't know what David thinks? he is renowned for his left foot,

Robert Green obviously said he had it covered. We will talk more about

this game on the red button, but we need to talk further because of the

news that broke at half-time that Andres Villas Boas has left Chelsea.

We have boards already on names in the frame. You may be surprised by

some of the names. This is for the next full-time boss, because

Roberto is almost at 6-1. Any of those names more prominent for you

than another? I just feel sorry for AVV. Maybe he can get the best out

of Torres. I don't feel much love for him from the fans. He has been

naive, but the board and the players have got to be culpable.

They have dictated what happens. The owners are at Chelsea have got

to realise that now maybe they are not good enough to get into the

team and there Koreas are coming to an end. They are up in the business

of winning, they have got to win at different levels. Of course there

has been the criteria since Jose- Maria neo-, to win titles, qualify

for the Champions League and win it. What is interesting is that John

Terry is in the frame. Managerial material? I'm surprised he was not

in the frame for the England job! Perhaps he needs to look a

different way, Roman Abramovich. David Moyes? Someone who has taken

Everton, I mean why go down that road again? David Moyes for me.

Before we go, confirmation of the earlier game in the Premier League

today, Newcastle against Sunderland and it finished 1-1. The action

from that is in Match Of The Day 2 at 10pm. That is it from us on BBC