Tempers boiled over in the battle for a UEFA Cup spot at Upton Park as West
Ham striker John Hartson and Derby midfielder Stefano Eranio were given their
marching orders for the second time this season in an ugly first-half.
Eight other players were booked in a poor game as two normally attractive
sides became engulfed in a messy midfield battle that saw tackles flying in from
all directions and chances at a premium.
The point did little to help either Derby or West Ham's bid for a place in
Europe, with both teams now set to miss vital players through suspension during
the end-of-season run-in.
Welsh international Hartson was the first to go on 32 minutes as he apparently
punched Derby defender Igor Stimac on the back of the head as the two players
fell to the ground after tussling for the ball.
Stimac, who had just survived a penalty appeal when he tangled with Trevor
Sinclair as they chased a through ball together, was left clutching his head.
And Hartson, whose career had been dogged by disciplinary problems before his
arrival at West Ham last year, was shown the red card and trudged disconsolately
off the pitch.
Less than two months ago, the centre-forward was sent off at Bolton for
striking midfielder Per Frandsen and West Ham will rue the return of their
leading scorer's indiscipline if it means they miss out on securing a European
place.
But at least they were only one man down for three minutes against Derby, who
could have leapfrogged them in the table with a victory.
For shortly after Hartson's dismissal, he was joined back in the dressing-room
by Italian international Stefano Eranio after he clashed with defender David
Unsworth.
Eranio, who had earlier been booked for a late tackle on Eyal Berkovic and was
sent off at Newcastle in December, had a head-to-head confrontation with
Unsworth after they had gone for the ball together and was enraged when he was
shown his second yellow card of the game.
Unsworth was also booked, one of five other players to be shown the yellow
card in an ugly first-half that was desperately short on style, with Hartson,
Sinclair and Unsworth all heading chances wide for the home side.
Hammers keeper Bernard Lama was not seriously troubled but did have to be
alert to gather a shot from Chris Powell low down to his left.
The second period was marginally better, with both sides upping the tempo
after their enforced reorganisations and more space available with only 18
outfield players on the pitch.
Lama rushed out to block bravely at the feet of Rory Delap as he ran into the
box looking to capitalise on defensive indecision, while Paulo Wanchope flashed
a shot just wide.
Rio Ferdinand hit a first-time shot just wide for the Hammers and miscued
another effort in the six-yard box, while Berkovic curled a free-kick just over
the bar.
A last-ditch clearance by Chris Powell kept out a dangerous cross from
Sinclair in the dying minutes, while substitute Deon Burton rounded keeper Lama
but failed to get past another replacement, Steve Potts.
Teams
West Ham (0) 0 Derby (0) 0
West Ham: Lama, Unsworth, Ferdinand, Pearce (Potts 83), Lomas,
Lazaridis, Lampard, Berkovic (Moncur 73), Impey (Abou 49),
Sinclair, Hartson.
Subs Not Used: Forrest, Omoyimni.
Sent Off: Hartson (33).
Booked: Sinclair, Unsworth, Moncur.
Derby:0 Poom, Rowett, Powell, Stimac, Sturridge (Burton 64),
Wanchope (Baiano 84), Delap, Bohinen, Carsley, Eranio, Dailly.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Van Der Laan, Kozluk.
Sent Off: Eranio (37).
Booked: Wanchope, Eranio, Stimac, Carsley, Bohinen.
Att: 25,155
Ref: G P Barber (Pyrford).
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