Tag: HAM

  • See why West Ham isn’t satisfied with Arsenal’s third £105m bid for Declan Rice

    See why West Ham isn’t satisfied with Arsenal’s third £105m bid for Declan Rice

    Arsenal have made a bold move in their pursuit of West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice by submitting a third bid valued at a whopping £105m.

    This comes on the heels of Manchester City’s unsuccessful £90m offer for the 24-year-old player earlier this week, as the treble-winning side has decided not to match the Gunners’ latest bid, thereby pulling out of the race to sign the West Ham captain.

    Arsenal’s previous two bids had been turned down by West Ham, as they fell short of the £100m price tag set by the Hammers. However, sources indicate that West Ham is not satisfied with the structure of the most recent bid, raising doubts about its acceptance.

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    While Rice’s current contract at the London Stadium is set to expire in 2024, there is an option for a one-year extension until the summer of 2025. If Arsenal’s bid of an initial £100m with an additional £5m in add-ons proves successful, it would match the British record fee Manchester City paid for midfielder Jack Grealish.

    In a notable transfer deal earlier this month, England midfielder Jude Bellingham secured a move to Real Madrid for an initial fee of £88.5m, with the potential for the deal to rise to £115m if certain add-ons are triggered.

    West Ham chairman David Sullivan expressed his belief that Rice would most likely depart the club this summer following their Europa Conference League triumph over Fiorentina.

    The highly regarded midfielder has netted an impressive 15 goals in 245 appearances for West Ham since making his debut during the 2016-17 season after progressing through the club’s academy ranks. Furthermore, Rice has earned 41 caps for England, featuring in all five of their matches during the previous World Cup.

  • West Ham rejects £90m Declan Rice offer from Man City

    West Ham rejects £90m Declan Rice offer from Man City

    West Ham have swiftly dismissed a bid worth a staggering £90m from treble winners Manchester City for their captain, Declan Rice.

    The offer from City was believed to consist of an initial payment of £80m, falling short of West Ham’s desired sum of £100m for the talented midfielder.

    Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to submit a third bid for the 24-year-old English international.

    West Ham turned down Arsenal’s second bid, which involved an initial payment of £75m split across four installments, alongside £15m in additional payments, just last week.

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    Rice’s existing contract with West Ham is set to expire in 2024, although there is an option for a one-year extension until the summer of 2025.

    In the aftermath of West Ham’s triumphant victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League earlier this month, chairman David Sullivan expressed his confidence that Rice would depart from the club this summer, stating he was “99%” certain of the impending transfer.

    Despite securing a potential deal with Chelsea for Mateo Kovacic at a fee of £25m, the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona has intensified Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s desire to reinforce his midfield options. Rice is seen as the perfect candidate to bolster the team’s strength in that area of the pitch.

  • UEFA charge West Ham, Fiorentina over ‘throwing objects’ in Conference League final

    UEFA charge West Ham, Fiorentina over ‘throwing objects’ in Conference League final

    UEFA has issued charges against West Ham and Fiorentina following incidents that occurred during the Europa Conference League final held on Wednesday.

    Both clubs have been accused of “throwing of objects,” while West Ham additionally faces punishment for “invasion of the field of play.”

    During the first half of the match in Prague, Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck on the head by an object thrown from the West Ham supporters’ section. Despite this incident, the Hammers emerged victorious with a 2-1 win.

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    In addition to the charges against West Ham, Fiorentina has been charged with “lighting of fireworks.” UEFA has stated that a decision regarding these charges will be made in due course.

    Local authorities in Prague reported that 23 fans were arrested in connection with the match. Among them, one individual was identified as a West Ham fan, while the remaining arrests were supporters of Fiorentina.

    Furthermore, it was reported that Fiorentina fans attacked West Ham fans in a bar located in central Prague. As a result, 17 out of the 22 individuals associated with the Italian club were detained in relation to this incident.

  • CONFERENCE LEAGUE: West Ham treated Fiorentina like ‘animals’ – Commisso

    CONFERENCE LEAGUE: West Ham treated Fiorentina like ‘animals’ – Commisso

    Fiorentina president, Rocco Commisso, has lashed out at West Ham, saying they treated his side like “animals” at the recently played UEFA Europa Conference League final, which the Hammers won 2-1

    The match saw striker Luca Jovic forced to leave the field at halftime due to a broken nose, while captain Cristiano Biraghi sustained a bloodied face after being struck by an object thrown from the crowd.

    West Ham finally ended their 43-year trophy drought with a decisive late goal from Jarrod Bowen.

    West Ham Fiorentina

    “I expected to win, but it wasn’t like that,” Commisso said after the match. But there have been episodes on the pitch where the referee had to make the difference.

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    “I spoke to the president of the Premier League, those of West Ham are animals in the way they treated ours. It’s not right.

    “This match could be won 3-0. I’m sorry for the fans, they deserved more.”

    Separately, the Serie A club “strongly condemned” what happened to Biraghi.

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    “This unacceptable behaviour obviously affected the performance of the footballer and his team-mates, who had their attention drawn away from footballing matters by the threats to their own safety,” Fiorentina said.

    The Italian club’s president, Rocco Commisso, expressed confidence that Uefa, the governing body of European football, would take necessary action to address the situation and punish those responsible for the incident.

    He stated that Fiorentina is “certain” Uefa would deliver an appropriate response, setting an example to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

    In a separate incident, Prague police reported a total of 23 arrests, with one individual being a West Ham supporter and the remaining 22 Fiorentina fans.

    The Fiorentina supporters attacked West Ham fans at a bar in central Prague. According to the police,  17 out of the 22 Fiorentina fans involved were arrested over the mayhem.

  • Last-minute euphoria as Bowen seals Conference League glory for West Ham

    Last-minute euphoria as Bowen seals Conference League glory for West Ham

    In a momentous triumph, West Ham United put an end to their 43-year trophy drought by securing a historic victory in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina in Prague.

    The long-awaited glory came courtesy of a last-minute goal from Jarrod Bowen, propelling the Hammers to an exhilarating win.

    As the match progressed, it seemed destined for extra time after Said Benrahma’s second-half penalty was swiftly cancelled out by an impressive strike from Giacomo Bonaventura just seven minutes later.

    The final was fiercely contested, occasionally marred by contentious incidents, and even descending into ugliness when Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck by a plastic bottle hurled from the West Ham section.

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    However, the game was ultimately settled in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Bowen displayed impeccable timing, capitalizing on a superbly executed pass from Lucas Paqueta that split the Fiorentina defense. The Englishman broke free, composed himself, and calmly slotted the ball past Pietro Terracciano, igniting euphoria among the West Ham faithful.

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    Manager David Moyes couldn’t contain his joy and sprinted down the touchline to join the jubilant celebrations, relishing the first major silverware of his illustrious career.

    West Ham Conference League

    This remarkable triumph saw captain Declan Rice lead the team to glory in what might possibly be his final game for the club. In doing so, he joined the ranks of West Ham legends Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, who captained the club to victory in the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup and the FA Cup in 1975 and 1980, respectively.

    The victory not only marks a historic milestone for West Ham United, ending their prolonged trophy drought but also secures a coveted spot in next season’s Europa League.

    This achievement carries added significance as it ensures European football for the third consecutive year, a feat unprecedented in the club’s storied history.

  • CONFERENCE LEAGUE: West Ham beat AZ Alkmaar, as Basel stun Fiorentina

    CONFERENCE LEAGUE: West Ham beat AZ Alkmaar, as Basel stun Fiorentina

    West Ham 2-1 AZ Alkmaar

    West Ham players celebrate after Michail Antonio scored his side’s second goal during the Conference League first leg semifinal soccer match between West Ham and AZ Alkmaar at London Stadium in London, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

    West Ham orchestrated a remarkable second-half turnaround to defeat AZ Alkmaar 2-1 at London Stadium, with Said Benrahma and Michail Antonio leading the charge.

    Benrahma leveled the score from the penalty spot, erasing the Dutch team’s lead, before Antonio sealed the victory with a close-range goal.

    Tijjani Reijnders had given AZ Alkmaar the lead with a strike from outside the area four minutes before halftime, presenting a rare chance for the Dutch side.

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    The Hammers, who last won a European trophy in the 1965 European Cup Winners’ Cup, showcased their determination to go far in the competition with this impressive comeback.

    Fiorentina 1-2 Basel

    Basel’s Zeki Amdouni celebrates after scoring during a Conference League first leg semifinal soccer match between FC Basel 1893 and ACF Fiorentina, at Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, Italy, Thursday, May 11, 2023. (Marco Bucco/LaPresse via AP)

    In a thrilling match at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Basel staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a goal deficit to defeat Fiorentina 2-1, with Zeki Amdouni scoring the winning goal in stoppage time. Andy Diouf had previously equalized for Basel in the 71st minute.

    During the first half, Fiorentina dominated the attacking play, while Basel held their ground defensively. However, in the 25th minute, Arthur Cabral broke the deadlock for the hosts with a header from a corner kick, becoming the top scorer in the competition with his seventh goal.

    But Basel refused to surrender, and their persistence paid off. Andy Diouf’s equalizer in the 71st minute injected new life into the game, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. Then, in stoppage time, Zeki Amdouni emerged as the hero, securing the stunning victory for Basel.

    The result marks an impressive turnaround for Basel and leaves Fiorentina stunned by the late turn of events.

  • ‘Mistakes are part of football’, Ten Hag defends De Gea after West Ham error

    ‘Mistakes are part of football’, Ten Hag defends De Gea after West Ham error

    Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has come to the defense of Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea following his costly error in the team’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United.

    De Gea allowed a rather tame shot from Said Benrahma to find the back of the net in the 27th minute of the game. The mistake, along with his poor distribution throughout the match, has led to calls from some Manchester United fans for the goalkeeper not to be offered a new contract.

    However, Ten Hag disagreed with this sentiment and expressed his support for De Gea during a post-match press conference. He stated, “Of course, we want him to sign a new contract. We would not be here in this position without him.”

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    It was reported in April that Manchester United were close to reaching an agreement with De Gea on a new contract with reduced terms. The club holds an option to extend his current deal by one year but is instead looking to negotiate a longer-term contract with a lower wage for the goalkeeper.

    Speaking in his post-match interview with BT Sport, the Man Utd manager continued his defence of the goalkeeper, saying that ‘mistakes are part of football’:

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    “Mistakes are part of football and in this team, you have to deal with it and bounce back because it is a team sport. Over the season he is the one with the most clean sheets and also we did it as a team. It can happen, it’s football but everybody has to take responsibility.”

    The defeat to West Ham was Manchester United’s second consecutive away defeat, following their loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

    When asked about the team’s performance levels, Ten Hag acknowledged disappointment with the results and stated that the second halves of both matches fell below the team’s standards.

    He emphasized the need for energy during the upcoming week, as the team prepares for their next fixtures.

  • De Gea’s slip costs Manchester United in 1-0 defeat to West Ham

    De Gea’s slip costs Manchester United in 1-0 defeat to West Ham

    Manchester United’s hold on the final Champions League spot weakened as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against West Ham, courtesy of David De Gea’s costly error.

    De Gea failed to handle Said Benrahma’s seemingly harmless shot from 20 yards, allowing it to slip past his outstretched glove. This defeat places Erik Ten Hag’s team just one point ahead of a rapidly advancing Liverpool, although they do have a game in hand.

    The loss at West Ham proved to be a costly one for Manchester United, as it was a significant boost for the home side. West Ham climbed seven points clear of the relegation zone, virtually securing their safety. De Gea’s evening got off to an unfortunate start when his poor clearance landed at the feet of Declan Rice, only for a last-ditch tackle from Wout Weghorst to halt Rice’s progress into the area.

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    Manchester United had their chances, with Marcus Rashford curling an effort over the bar and both Bruno Fernandes and Antony narrowly missing the target with low shots. Christian Eriksen also saw his attempt sail too high, while Rashford cut inside Thilo Kehrer but struck the outside of the post with his shot.

    The decisive goal arrived in the 29th minute, and it was one that De Gea will want to forget. Benrahma found himself with limited options as he advanced with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, and Luke Shaw in close proximity. Despite lacking real power, Benrahma’s shot seemed to evade De Gea’s grasp and rolled apologetically into the net.

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    Although West Ham threatened to increase their lead, with Antony’s shot deflecting off Nayef Aguerd’s heel and hitting the post, Manchester United had a stroke of luck when Benrahma broke through again just before halftime. De Gea saved Benrahma’s initial effort, and Lindelof’s attempt to return the rebound into the box struck his hand. However, the penalty appeals were dismissed by the VAR, and the game carried on.

    In the second half, United survived another scare when De Gea went down following a challenge from Michail Antonio. Antonio managed to hook the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul. As the hour mark approached, Weghorst registered United’s first shot on target, a tame effort easily collected by Lukasz Fabianski.

    Despite late saves from Fabianski denying Rashford and Anthony Martial, Ten Hag’s team failed to create many opportunities in their 57th match of a grueling season, which may be taking its toll on both them and Liverpool.

    West Ham, on the other hand, sensed the significance of the victory as they look forward to their Europa League Conference semi-final, aiming to put their relegation concerns firmly behind them.

  • PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool move up to sixth with 2-1 win over West Ham

    PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool move up to sixth with 2-1 win over West Ham

    Liverpool secured their third consecutive win by coming from behind to beat West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium.

    West Ham took an early lead with Lucas Paqueta’s fierce strike, but Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool with a shot from distance, before Joel Matip headed in a second-half winner.

    The victory moved Liverpool up to sixth in the Premier League, ahead of Tottenham on goal difference, while West Ham remains five points away from the relegation zone.

    Paqueta gave West Ham the lead in the 12th minute after playing a one-two with Michail Antonio and firing the ball inside Alisson’s near post from just outside the penalty area. However, Liverpool quickly equalised when Gakpo’s low shot from 25 yards went in off the post.

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    Liverpool had several chances to take the lead before half-time, but Diogo Jota sliced his effort over the bar, while Virgil van Dijk and Jota both saw headers go just wide.

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    West Ham also had two opportunities to score before half-time, but Van Dijk cleared the ball away from Antonio at the far post, and the striker headed wide from the resulting corner.

    Ten minutes into the second half, Jarrod Bowen thought he had given West Ham the lead again with a lovely goal, but it was disallowed by VAR for offside.

    Liverpool then took the lead in the 67th minute when Matip’s bullet header from an Andrew Robertson corner put them ahead. Klopp’s side held on for the rest of the game to secure the three points.

    The win keeps Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top-four finish alive, while West Ham’s loss could give their rivals hope of dragging them back into the conversation.

  • Arteta rues Arsenal’s lack of focus in draw with West Ham

    Arteta rues Arsenal’s lack of focus in draw with West Ham

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his disappointment over the team’s lack of focus after blowing a two-goal lead against West Ham on Sunday.

    Despite Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard putting Arsenal ahead in the first 10 minutes, the Hammers fought back to secure a 2-2 draw. The result has dented Arsenal’s title aspirations, with Manchester City now just four points behind and a game in hand.

    Arteta believes the team grew complacent after going 2-0 up and blames the loss of focus for the missed penalty by Bukayo Saka and the subsequent equalizer by Jarrod Bowen just two minutes later. This was the second game in a row that Arsenal had surrendered a two-goal lead, after doing so previously against Liverpool.

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    “Very disappointing. The way we started was superb again, we were in total control, then we lost purpose,” he told Sky Sports.

    “We gave them hope, conceded a terrible penalty, then credit to them. We got on the roller coaster where everything is going, corners and throw-ins, and we never got away from that.

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    “The purpose we needed for a third and fourth goal, I didn’t see it.”

    The first goal West Ham scored was a result of Thomas Partey’s error in possession, which allowed Declan Rice to take the ball from him before Gabriel Magalhaes committed a foul.

    Bukayo Saka missed a penalty that could have restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead, following Michail Antonio’s handball. Despite this, Arteta took a philosophical approach to the youngster’s missed opportunity, attributing the result to Arsenal’s lack of focus.

    “A player who takes penalties misses penalties, I don’t know anyone who hasn’t,” Arteta said of Saka.

    Arsenal will look to bounce back against Southampton on Friday, before they face City in a potential title decider on April 26.