West Ham's hopes of reaching the Championship play-offs suffered a setback as
they were held to a draw by London rivals Millwall.
The home side were expected to win the game in the second half after Barry
Hayles' opener for Millwall was cancelled out by Marlon Harewood 10 minutes
before the break.
But with Darren Ward and Matt Lawrence superb in central defence for the
visitors, the Hammers created few chances and must reflect on a missed
opportunity to further their claims for a top-six spot.
There was a considerable police presence outside the ground before the game -
about 1,000 officers are believed to have been sent.
Mounted officers in riot gear patrolled the area close to Upton Park station,
and police dogs were also present.
West Ham almost had the perfect start when Nigel Reo-Coker burst into the
Millwall penalty area in the first minute, but his touch was awful and keeper
Andy Marshall was able to claim.
The visitors responded immediately, Hayles cutting in from the left before
firing a 20-yard effort just wide of the right post.
Then Teddy Sheringham, who began his career with Millwall more than 20 years
ago, escaped his marker in the fifth minute to meet Matthew Etherington's
left-wing cross at the near post, but headed over.
Millwall looked more composed in defence and midfield early on, and took the
lead in the 12th minute.
Reo-Coker gave the ball away to Kevin Muscat - back after two months out with
injury - at a free-kick, allowing the Australian to release Hayles, who rounded
keeper James Walker and finished superbly with his left foot from a difficult
angle.
The Hammers equalised in the 35th minute. Etherington raced onto Sheringham's
flick and crossed for Harewood, who hit the ball into the ground but was
delighted to see it loop beyond Marshall into the far corner.
West Ham made an energetic start to the second period, but found Millwall
centre-backs Darren Ward - whose brother Elliott lined up in the West Ham back
four - and Matt Lawrence composed and solid.
They did create an opening in the 59th minute, Harewood's terrific
overhead-kick from Shaun Newton's right-wing cross drawing an equally fine
reaction from Marshall, who tipped over.
The visitors were having little of the play but did force Walker into a smart
stop from Jody Morris' deflected 25-yard effort in the 66th minute.
West Ham continued to press but did not threaten goalkeeper Marshall.
Teams
West Ham Walker, Repka, Ferdinand, Ward, Powell,
Newton (Zamora 80), Reo-Coker, Noble, Etherington, Sheringham,
Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Fletcher, Mullins, Chadwick.
Goals: Harewood 35.
Millwall Marshall, Muscat, Phillips, Lawrence, Ward,
Livermore, Sweeney, Morris (Simpson 78), Elliott, Dichio,
Hayles (Ifill 63).
Subs Not Used: Wise, May, Craig.
Booked: Livermore.
Goals: Hayles 12.
Att: 28,221
Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).
E-mail Article 
Print-Friendly
Subscribe to RSS Feed 
Post to del.icio.us
Facebook