West Ham United 0-1 Ipswich FT

WEST HAM UNITED v IPSWICH TOWN
npower CHAMPIONSHIP
TUESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2011
KICK-OFF: 7.45PM

FULL AUDIO COVERAGE - WEST HAM TV

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Final score - West Ham United 0-1 Ipswich Town

95 mins - The final whistle goes. That didn't exactly go to plan, did it? Post-match reaction and highlights will appear on whufc.com and West Ham TV. The Hammers return to action on Saturday, when they travel to Crystal Palace.

93 mins - Collison wins a corner off Bullard. Last chance. Bentley takes it, the ball flicks off a defender and hits Tomkins on the head before going behind. Tomkins immediately collapses with cramp. Two Ipswich players help the No5 back to his feet.

92 mins - Time is running out as the ball drops to Collison. He shoots from about 25 yards, but it's low and does not possess the power or accuracy to beat Stockdale.

91 mins - Andrews headed the ball against the post in the build-up to the Ipswich goal.

90 mins - Faubert comes on for Noble. Delaney is on for Chopra.

89 mins - GOAL! Bowyer always scores against West Ham. The near-post corner hits someone and cannons back off the post and then another defender into the path of Bowyer, who slams a low shot through the legs of Green.

88 mins - Ipswich have a corner as O'Brien can only glance his header behind.

87 mins - A long punted ball forward drops to Bentley 25 yards out. He shoots first-time, but the ball hits Nolan on the legs and goes behind. I don't think it was on target, anyway.

85 mins - Ipswich make their first change. Scotland is replaced by Ellington.

84 mins - Tomkins flicks the corner clear before Baldock makes 40 yards down the right and forces Cresswell to pass back to his goalkeeper. He is a fit lad is our Sam. Tonight's attendance is 27,709.

83 mins - Cresswell has a dig from a free-kick 30 yards out. It's well-struck and dipping, forcing Green to tip over for a corner.

82 mins - Bentley mis-controls and the ball rolls out for a throw. From it, Ipswich try the direct route to Chopra. He controls the high ball before Tomkins nips in. Good defending.

81 mins - Into the final ten minutes and it's there for the taking for the side that wants to win this game.

78 mins - Carew does well again, holding off his marker before shooting low and hard. The ball hits Cresswell in an area that leaves him crumpled on the turf.

75 mins - Ipswich break and from a throw the ball is worked to Leadbitter. His shot from distance flicks off a defender and goes wide. Green claims the high corner to cheers from the home fans.

75 mins - Carew wins the header from Green's long clearance and the ball drops to Baldock. He tries to control it, but left-back Cresswell gets a toe in and Stockwell collects. Half a chance.

72 mins - Carew does superbly to spin away and lose one defender before threading a ball wide for Baldock. The No7's cross is low and hard, but just too strong. The ball is worked back to Bentley, whose shot is deflected behind. The corner is cleared by Scotland and Ipswich break at pace. Collison tracks back and slides the ball back to Green.

71 mins - End to end now. Edwards is again in space and he needs no second invitation to shoot from about 30 yards. He connects well, but the ball flies past the angle of post and crossbar.

70 mins - A loose touch drops to a West Ham player and Bentley releases McCartney into space. He crosses high and Stockdale again gets there ahead of Carew. The Norwegian is penalised for a foul on the goalkeeper.

69 mins - Edwards has some space down the Ipswich right. He could pass to the overlapping player, but instead shoots. The ball hits a defender and goes behind. The corner is cleared and West Ham rush out.

68 mins - Carew wins a free-kick as he spins away inside the Ipswich half. It's taken short before Bentley works some space on his left foot and stands the ball up. There is a gaggle of players inside the penalty area, but Stockdale gets a glove to the ball and scoops it away.

65 mins - Lansbury makes way for Collison, who gets a loud cheer.

64 mins - Cole is replaced by Carew.

64 mins - Collison and Carew will be on imminently.

62 mins - Lansbury catches Leadbitter on the edge of the box as the Ipswich midfielder tries to clear his lines. The visitors immediately surround the referee. Do they want a second yellow card? Referee Mr Stroud waves his arms and says 'No' emphatically. He does have a chat with Lansbury, though.

62 mins - Nolan pokes a ball through for Baldock to chase inside the Ipswich box. Collins gets a toe in. Corner.

61 mins - Patient build-up from Ipswich involving Edwards and Andrews, but when Scotland gets some space and runs across the pitch, his left-foot shot is horrendous. It flies miles over the top. The striker beats the turf in frustration.

56 mins - Another shot from distance from Ipswich. This time Scotland gets into space between the West Ham defence and midfield. He lashes at the ball with his right foot, but it slices miles wide.

55 mins - Nolan wins a corner off Sonko at the far post. Bentley takes and Faye challenges, but he loses out in the air and when Lansbury heads back into the area, the ball bounces harmlessly behind.

54 mins - Ipswich's first chance of the second half comes from a long throw that Leadbitter allows to bounce before shooting left footed. Green collects.

53 mins - A shooting chance. Bentley and McCartney combine down the left before the ball is worked inside to Noble. He plays a diagonal ball into the path of O'Brien. Cole's run creates some space and the right-back shoots from about 22 yards. He hits it too well and the ball flies over the crossbar.

51 mins - West Ham have started better since half-time. A free-kick on the left is curled over by Bentley, but it's just too high and goes behind.

50 mins - Baldock releases Cole with a cushioned pass down the right channel. Cole has Baldock and Bentley up in support, but instead he cuts inside and shoots on his right foot. Stockdale goes down on one knee to collect.

48 mins - Bentley takes. The ball goes towards the back post, where Sonko heads behind. Corner to West Ham. Bentley takes but it's headed clear. The ball drops back to Bentley, who cuts inside but his right-foot shot is charged down.

47 mins - Sonko clears after Cole's flick on causes minor alarm in the Ipswich area. Lansbury is then fouled by Bullard 20 yards from goal. Good opportunity this for a Bentley free-kick to the right of goal.

46 mins - The visitors start brightly again and Cresswell has won a corner inside 30 seconds. Bullard takes but the ball clears everyone in the box and goes behind.

46 mins - Ipswich get us under way. Neither side has made a change.

Half-time score - West Ham United 0-0 Ipswich Town

47 mins - That's half-time. Join us again in a short while for will hopefully be a more entertaining - and successful - 45 minutes.

46 mins - Bentley curls the ball into the near post, but it skips off the turf and into the arms of Stockdale.

45 mins - Bowyer lunges in as O'Brien gets to a Noble crossfield pass first. The Ipswich player is booked. Free-kick as we go into the one added minute. Bentley...

42 mins - Bullard crosses and the ball appears to flick off O'Brien and go behind. Referee Mr Stroud gives a goal kick...

41 mins - West Ham are starting to show a bit. Bentley makes some space with neat control before releasing McCartney. He gets to the edge of the box and crosses low, but it's too close to Stockdale.

40 mins - Cole dispossesses an Ipswich player on halfway before taking on the back four. He flicks the ball to Lansbury, who loses his footing as he takes on Collins.

37 mins - O'Brien's cross from the right sees Cole and Sonko at it again. The ball is headed behind by the Senegal defender. The corner is deep and aimed for Tomkins again, but Ipswich clear their lines.

36 mins - McCartney takes on Edwards on his outside and crosses to the near post. Cole flies in with Sonko, but the defender gets there first.

34 mins - Chopra is caught offside from Sonko's hopeful ball forward. He shoots anyway and Green makes a fine fingertip save. Still the visitors on top here.

31 mins - This has been a bit disjointed so far. On a positive note, Baldock is working his socks off down the right. Ipswich press again and the ball drops nicely to Leadbitter following a slight error from Nolan. Green holds on to the shot safely. Nolan raises his hand in apology.

25 mins - I think Big Sam might have switched to a 4-3-3 with Baldock wide on the right and Bentley wide left. Anyway, West Ham have a corner off Collins' loose back header. Bentley delivers and the ball flicks off a player before being headed powerfully over the top by Faye.

22 mins - Cole and Noble do well in the build-up before the latter's header drops to Lansbury. He turns, makes five yards and shoots from about 30. Stockdale dives to his right at full-stretch, but the ball flies wide of the target. 'Ooooohs' from the home faithful.

20 mins - 'Bowyer always scores against West Ham' is a refrain I've heard often around the stadium tonight. Well, he nearly does again, curling a shot against the inside of the post before the ball hits Green and Tomkins is able to hack clear. The Hammers need a spell of possession inside the Tractor Boys half.

17 mins - Lansbury sends Cole off down the right touchline. He checks and crosses towards Bentley, forcing Edwards to head behind. Bentley takes it and Faye wins the header, which flicks off an Ipswich head and goes behind again. Bentley's corner is deep, but Tomkins cannot direct his header back into the box. Ipswich clear, but their counterattack breaks down when Bowyer cannot control.

15 mins - That's better. Cole skips past a challenge down the left channel before laying back for McCartney. His cross is dangerous and Baldock wins it, flicking on at the near post. Nolan latches on to the loose ball, but is offside. He shoots anyway, but the ball is cleared off the line by Sonko.

15 mins - Ipswich have definitely made the better start. A succession of crosses cause Green and Tomkins some bother, but both clear their lines.

13 mins - Chopra gets goalside of O'Brien, but the full-back makes a good challenge. The ball breaks to Scotland, who lays back for Bullard to strike. He does, but two deflections take the ball out for a corner. Cole clears it at the near post.

11 mins - Lansbury goes into the book for a sliding challenge on Edwards. Nothing malicious. The midfielder simply caught the right-back as he was clearing the ball upfield. No complaints about the yellow card.

10 mins - Better from Cole, collecting a throw-in and spinning away into the Ipswich half before trying to play in Baldock. The pass is cut out.

9 mins - Faye is up again. He looks OK. Perhaps he was winded? Anyway, he is back on again now.

8 mins - Ipswich are threatening here. A lofted ball over the top is flicked on by Bowyer and Scotland would benefit if Faye does not make an acrobatic clearance. Moments later, he needs the physio on. Maybe he banged his back making that clearance?

6 mins - West Ham win a free-kick inside Ipswich territory for handball. The initial delivery is cleared for a throw. From that, Cole controls before Bentley wins a header, but Stockdale is there to collect.

5 mins - Ipswich would be ahead if Robert Green does not make another fine save. Edwards gets free down the right and in behind McCartney. He crosses and Chopra gets in front of Tomkins and volleys goalwards. Green spreads himself and makes a fine save. A second cross comes in and O'Brien heads clear.

4 mins - Free-kick to the Hammers this time as Chopra barges into O'Brien as the pair chase a long, high ball forward.

3 mins - Nolan obviously isn't as impressed with Bullard as I am as he knocks the Ipswich midfielder to the ground. Free-kick inside the centre circle. It comes to nothing.

2 mins - Not much to report in the early going, aside from a couple of throw-ins and some neat passing from Bullard.

7.45pm - We're off...

7.44pm - The Hammers will get things underway kicking towards the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand. Lansbury and Baldock will start the game.

7.40pm - Here come the two teams... There is a decent atmosphere inside the stadium, as there always is for an evening kick-off at the Boleyn.

7.35pm - Ipswich have made a late change on the bench. Nathan Ellington is replacing Daryl Murphy. I have no idea why. Presumably - and I know one should never presume - Murphy was hurt in the warm-up.

7.30pm - Treats galore for tonight's corporate hospitality guests, with 1966 FIFA World Cup winner Martin Peters, 1980 FA Cup winner Phil Parkes and 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup winner Brian Dear among those meeting and greeting guests. Joint-Chairman David Sullivan has also visited the new Champagne Bar, while talkSPORT presenter and matchday programme columnist Ian 'Moose' Abrahams has been cracking a few gags in the Legends Restaurant. For details of future corporate hospitality packages, click here. Big Sam will be in the Legends Lounge for the visit of Blackpool on 15 October - not during the game, obviously, but afterwards...

The teams are in and Sam Allardyce has opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with David Bentley and Sam Baldock coming in for their first starts. Winston Reid and Matt Taylor miss out, while Julien Faubert drops to the bench. James Tomkins partners Abdoulaye Faye in central defence.

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Lansbury, Noble, Nolan, Bentley, Baldock, Cole
Subs: Boffin, Bouba Diop, Collison, Faubert, Carew

Ipswich Town: Stockdale, Cresswell, Collins, Sonko, Leadbitter, Edwards, Bowyer, Andrews, Bullard, Scotland, Chopra
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Delaney, Ainsley, Emmanuel-Thomas, Ellington

Image removed.

Good evening and welcome to a sun-drenched and unseasonably warm Boleyn Ground for tonight's npower Championship fixture between West Ham United and Ipswich Town.

The Hammers have made their best start to a league season since the 1983/84 campaign, when John Lyall's side won six of their opening seven Division One fixtures to go top of the table. Sam Allardyce can emulate the former West Ham and Ipswich manager should his side win tonight and Derby County not beat Barnsley at Pride Park.

Any victory would take the Hammers into the top two, with Southampton and Middlesbrough not playing until Wednesday evening.

Big Sam could make some changes to his starting XI, with the likes of David Bentley, Sam Baldock and John Carew all eager to make their first league starts in a claret and blue shirt. Defensive midfielder Papa Bouba Diop is also pushing for inclusion after proving his fitness in training.

Among the West Ham players who have fond memories of playing against Ipswich are Robert Green and Henri Lansbury. Green made his senior debut for Norwich City against Ipswich back in 1999, while Lansbury enjoyed 4-1 and 5-1 victories over tonight's victories during his season-long loan spell with the Canaries last season.

Matches against Ipswich in recent memory have been unforgettable occasions, with the Play-Off semi-finals in both 2003/04 and 2004/05 among the most dramatic games played at the Boleyn Ground in the past decade.

Under Paul Jewell, the present-day Tractor Boys are starting to find a bit of form, defeating Coventry City (3-0) and drawing at high-flying Middlesbrough (0-0) in their previous two matches. Among Jewell's squad, of course, are former West Ham midfielders Lee Bowyer and Jimmy Bullard.

Team news is expected at around 6.45pm, with the lineups being revealed first here on whufc.com and on the club's official twitter feed.

West Ham United: Green, O'Brien, Tomkins, Faye, McCartney, Lansbury (Collison 65), Noble (Faubert 90), Nolan, Bentley, Baldock, Cole (Carew 64)
Subs: Boffin, Bouba Diop

Ipswich Town: Stockdale, Cresswell, Collins, Sonko, Leadbitter, Edwards, Bowyer, Andrews, Bullard, Scotland (Ellington 85), Chopra (Delaney 90)
Subs: Lee-Barrett, Ainsley, Emmanuel-Thomas