Post Match Comments
Audio Match ReportTuesday 31st October 2001
WORTHINGTON CUP 4TH RND
Upton Park
Attendance:21,863Referee: A WileyWEST HAM2Suker 67, Di Canio 83 BLACKBURN0HISLOP S. PEARCE POTTS FERDINAND LAMPARD SINCLAIR I. PEARCE CARRICK KANOUTE DI CANIO SUKER Subs: BYWATER CHARLES MONCUR KITTS KELLER KELLY CURTIS KENNA DUNNING RICHARDS McATEER TAYLOR JOHNSON CARSLEY DAILLY OSTENSTAD Subs: FILAN FLITCROFT 73 DUNN 68 O'BRIEN DOUGLAS 55
Paolo Di Canio produced a man-of-the-match performance, and converted a twice-taken penalty, to help West Ham dispose of a spirited Blackburn Rovers side.
The likeable Italian needed a rebound to beat Alan Kelly on his second attempt after referee Alan Wiley adjudged an encroachment in the area just as the Italian was converting the first one easily. Furthermore, it was his alertness with seven minutes left that originally won the spot-kick.
The goal sealed it for the Hammers, putting the icing on the cake after a fine goal from Davor Suker in the 66th-minute. The Croatian striker volleyed home from Frederick Kanoute's flick on to claim first blood.
Although Rovers blooded youngsters Darren Dunning and Mark Richards, in midfield and up front respectively their Premiership hosts fielded a virtual first-choice side.
The Hammers, who tiptoed past Second Division Walsall in the last round, started brightly with Kanoute going close twice, firstly from a speculative 35-yarder from old boy Stuart Pearce, that had Alan Kelly parrying frantically.
Then, from a Pearce free-kick from the right, Kanoute failed to get hold of a shot through a crowd of players, allowing Kelly a comfy save.
Blackburn were pinned in their own half for much of the opening 20 minutes and teenager Michael Carrick was close to capping a fine move with the opening goal on 15 minutes.
Suker also went close, with two neat chips, both from 18 yards or so, and both inside a minute.
When it had one Frank Lampard shot past Kelly to finish a swift 25th-minute raid it was ruled out for offside.
Blackburn's best effort of the half was when he fisted away a Richards' volley at his near post after the striker met Dunning's deep cross with a volley on the run.
Hammers' Boss Harry Redknapp pointed to the performance of Rio Ferdinand as being a key factor in the win. Ferdinand, criticised by Mark Lawrenson on television at the weekend, gave an assured performance and Redknapp said:"Rio is different class, a superb defender. I work with him every day and he is absolotely top drawer. David O'Leary and one or two others must be idiots to want to buy him if he is not and they are certainly not idiots.
"Ask Eyal Berkovic about that. I have never seen him beaten one on one because he is so quick. You mustn't take that much notice of what Mr Lawrenson said."
Of the game, he said:
"These games are never easy - just ask Spurs. Blackburn have got quality players.
"This competition is important to us because we won't win the championship. There are only four or five clubs who realistically can win so you've got two cups to try to go for, the same as everyone else."
Redknapp was defiant about claims that his side were losing 'it' and said:
"I never felt I was going in the wrong direction. We have done nothing but go forwards and upwards since I've been here."