Classic match
West Ham United 2-1 Fulham
Barclays Premier League
23 January 2006
A memorable night at the Boleyn Ground, and not just because of the scoreline, as West Ham United bid farewell to Tomas Repka.
After five years and 167 appearances, the Czech defender had made the agonising decision to return to his homeland to spend time with his family and the Boleyn faithful gave him a rousing farewell. Chants of 'Super Tomas Repka' echoed around the stadium from start to finish, leaving the hard man in tears by the final whistle.
With new signing Dean Ashton watching from the stands, Anton Ferdinand gave the home side the lead just after the quarter of an hour mark when Marlon Harewood headed a ball back to the defender on the edge of the area and he swivelled and volleyed into the top corner.
Not to be outdone, Yossi Benayoun made it two on 28 minutes when he tricked his way past two men before beating Antti Niemi with a deft chip from the edge of the area. Fulham were to pull one back through Heidar Helguson's long-range strike, but the Hammers held firm to win for the first time since Bonfire Night.
West Ham United finished the season 2005/06 season in ninth, three places above their visitors from west London that day.