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      West Ham 4 Ipswich 1: Jarrod Bowen simply unstoppable as Hammers turn on style to silence Lopetegui’s doubters

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      SUN out, forwards finally scoring and a first home win as West Ham manager in the Premier League.Julen Lopetegui might finally be enjoying life in East London after his Hammers ripped through Ipswich.Michail Antonio bagged a goal and an assistJarrod Bowen got back to best against IpswichAfter a stodgy start to the season, all three of Michail Antonio, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen found the back of the net in this rout.All four had looked below par under Lopetegui, with neither Antonio nor Kudus even scoring before this afternoon.But this was West Ham’s best attacking performance since the early weeks of the year, when things were looking up before the sharp downturn which ended David Moyes’ tenure.Loptegui had bemoaned West Ham’s slow starts early in the season – culminating in conceding after 38 seconds last week at Brentford.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut the Hammers turned that form on its head in East London, taking the lead 47 seconds in here.Tomas Soucek picked out Jarrod Bowen wide on the right after former Hammer Kalvin Phillips handed possession over in midfield.Phillips, who endured a horror six month loan at the London Stadium last season, tracked back put could not stop Bowen feeding the ball through his legs for Antonio to finish first time.For the first time under Lopetegui West Ham had started confidently and had their chests out – though that lasted just five minutes.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSDelap, a summer signing from Manchester City, chased a loose ball from an Ipswich corner to the far side of the West Ham area, quickly spun a struggling Lucas Paqueta and thumped his third goal in two games past Alphonse Areola at the near post.Areola, who got a hand to the strike, should have dealt with it better but Delap’s confidence in taking on the effort quickly stumped the Frenchman.Leicester City Players Under Fire for Harassing Fan West Ham took their time to settle having been pegged back, with Ipswich continuing to create chances in flashes.Phillips sent an effort over the bar before Jacob Greaves headed wide from a free-kick.West Ham were hardly free-flowing but started applying pressure once more, with the front three looking far more like their old selves for the first time under the new manager.Kudus had two chances in as many minutes, one cut out by Phillips on the break before his header struck the bar while Soucek had an effort stopped on the line by Dara O’Shea.Ipswich have shown plenty of spirit since promotion so far but were starting to creak at the back.Arijanet Muric stopped a long-range effort from Paqueta, but moments later West Ham found their second.Emerson Palmieri, the only defender left from last season’s porous back four, drove through the Ipswich defence down the left.Antonio met his cross but the header struck the bar and bounced out off the line, though Kudus reacted quicker than anyone and nodded past Muric.Kieran McKenna’s side were sticking to their guns and looking to play through West Ham from the back, though it was getting them into trouble at times.Sam Morsy had a lucky escape after surrendering possession in the first half, but keeper Muric was not as fortunate after the break.The former Burnley man attempted a cute ball out of his box just four minutes after the restart, but found Bowen.Phillips, doing more for West Ham than he had during his time actually playing for the club, allowed the winger to cut inside and drill a low finish into the far corner.Having been left out of Lee Carsley’s England squad on Thursday, this was a superb response from Bowen.He was direct and dangerous all afternoon, a return to the form which got him into England contention in the first place – with two assists to go with his goal.The second of those was for Paqueta, whose tap in capped another fine Hammers move to put Ipswich out of sight – not long after the visitors had tested Areola through the impressive Delap.READ MORE SUN STORIESAntonio collected the ball and swiftly turned to feed Bowen down the right. Another driving run had him at the byline, able to poke across for Paqueta to grab his first goal since the opening day.The only frustration for Lopetegui now is that he has to wait until after the international break to try and keep this going. More

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      West Ham are going backwards under Julen Lopetegui – Hammers are at risk of slipping into insignificance

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      ROUGHLY two minutes before the end of an easy night’s work, Liverpool reserve keeper Caoimhin Kelleher strolled behind his goal and took a sip from his bottle.A rough Cockney voice just a few yards away in the Anfield Road End called out: “Why are you thirsty? You ain’t done s**t.”Julen Lopetegui has had a rough start to life at West HamCredit: PAHe has won just two of his first seven gamesCredit: AFPThe Irishman laughed along. He could afford to, because his mix ’n match team on Wednesday night had become the latest to stuff West Ham.Having been taken apart by an average Chelsea team four days earlier, West Ham’s response was to crumple from a winning position.They shipped five goals and ended the game with ten men thanks to the indiscipline of Edson Alvarez.Since Julen Lopetegui took charge of the Hammers, they have won two of seven games. The Carabao Cup is over after two rounds and they sit 14th in the Premier League table.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLosing matches is not unusual for West Ham, particularly at Liverpool.But what is concerning to many more than the 6,000 who made a 400-mile round trip from East London, is the fear of a slow rot taking root in their team.It is barely a year since former manager David Moyes skipped along a touchline like a spring lamb gambolling through a meadow having clinched the Uefa Conference League trophy.It seems more than 478 days ago since that heady night in Prague when then captain Declan Rice lifted silverware with a traditionally flaky club on the cusp of building something big to reflect the vast stadium in which they play home matches.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSInstead, as Lopetegui plots his way out of the current malaise via Brentford tomorrow, there is a sense that West Ham are going backwards, slipping into insignificance.Fading and dying as the taunting Chelsea fans sang with great joy time and time again to an empty London Stadium last weekend.Who is Julen Lopetegui?From being within touching  distance of making serious inroads into the top six of the Premier League, it will soon fall apart unless Lopetegui can turn it around.And all just as the board of directors approved the removal of virtually all concession-priced tickets for kids and OAPs. As marketing strategies go, it ain’t great.Spaniard Lopetegui was brought in to move on from the Moyes era, which, in many people’s eyes, had become stale and past its sell-by date.There were, of course, some spectacularly awful results in the Scot’s final campaign last season. Ironically, December’s 5-1 pummeling in the Carabao Cup at Liverpool.The difference being that last year’s humiliation was sandwiched between a 3-0 win over Wolves and a 2-0 victory over Manchester United.West Ham were also competing in the Europa League. B-list domestic cups like the Carabao were expendable back then. They won their group in Europe last winter.West Ham have worst stadium in Premier LeagueBy Andy DillonAll that has been achieved under David Moyes has made West Ham forget that they have by far the worst home ground in the entire Prem.A stadium totally unfit for staging regular football matches.One that can work on big European nights when the fans have electrified their voices in the nearby Carpenters Arms before kick-off.But one which drains your soul during routine home games against the likes of Burnley or Everton.A home ground where giant trampolines separate fans from the action.With temporary seating and scaffolding trying to bring the players and crowd closer.When West Ham are playing badly but winning, issues with the rented stadium are pushed aside.If they are playing badly and losing, the whole festering sore surfaces and the frustration will be aimed once more at chairman David Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady.It wasn’t long ago that fans were invading the pitch, that 8,000 protested against the owners, that Sullivan was hit in the eye by a coin thrown from the crowd. Moyes has been an effective human shield with his consistent, if not entirely pretty, brand of success.This is what incoming boss Lopetegui has to contend with.Read Andy Dillon’s full column here.Lopetegui is there to herald a more open, dynamic and adventurous approach to football in comparison to pragmatic Moyes. It’s certainly been that — for the opposition at least. Picked off by Chelsea. Pulled apart by Manchester City. Lucky at Fulham with an equaliser six minutes into stoppage time. A heavily rotated Liverpool team scoring at will by the end on Wednesday.The lifelessness of the performance at home in a London derby against a vulnerable Chelsea side the week before was especially worrying.It harked back to the insipid, weak, worst days under Manuel Pellegrini when the top teams lapped up the wide open spaces of the former Olympic Stadium and regularly rolled in fours and fives for fun.West Ham have a nasty habit of almost getting there and touching the sun before falling away. After their fabled third-place finish in the old Division One in 1986, they finished 15th, 16th and were then relegated.Having won the FA Cup in 1975 they slowly but surely sank out of sight, dropping into Division Two in 1978.However, in those times, it wasn’t financial Armageddon to drop out of the top flight as it is now.Having spent £30million more than Arsenal, £87.5m more than Liverpool and £106m more than Manchester City on players this summer, money needs to be made.West Ham will have to go cap in hand to those OAPs and kids stumping up full price for a ticket now if they ever did go down.Lopetegui retains the full support of chairman David Sullivan for now and rightly so in these unsettling but early days.He even muttered an apology of sorts for his tactical blunder against Chelsea, which is something.But Arsene Wenger once proclaimed that every football team mirrors the personality of its manager. It’s about time Lopetegui showed some.King’s respectTyson Fury had some less than kind words for Anthony Joshua after losing a significant betCredit: PATYSON FURY claims boxing has not shown enough respect for Daniel Dubois, who retained his IBF world heavyweight title at Anthony Joshua’s painful expense.The Gypsy King rapped: “He was world champion and everyone treated him like a bum.”Yet Fury was soon complaining the result means he won’t cash in on a fight with Joshua, ranting: “That’s cost me £150million, the silly c***.”How’s that for respect?Keir just can’t winSir Keir Starmer can’t catch a break from cynics despite his genuine love for footballCredit: RexKEIR STARMER’S choice of team is not to ­everyone’s taste.But when the Gooner PM is pictured in the posh seats watching football week in, week out, shouldn’t it be that bit more reassuring that this country has a leader genuinely into the game?Starmer’s response to the cynical smears about attending games in the VIP section is spot on. Were he to sit in the stands at Arsenal, taking up four seats to accommodate his security, he would be accused of forcing out ordinary fans.When he is invited into an executive box he gets caned for living the hi-life. Like Everton, he can’t win.If there is to be a football regulator, I would rather have a committed supporter in on it, instead of someone who refers to our national game as “footie” and thinks a free-kick is something you give the working classes up the backside.Glass half emptyHalf and half scarves seem to be everywhere nowCredit: RexFOOTBALL is now a game of two halves — of your scarf that is. They are bloody everywhere.It was bad enough seeing dozens of the darned things at West Ham v Chelsea — once a feisty London derby, where the dislike between two sets of fans made the air crackle with electricity.But word is they were even on sale for Brentford’s Carabao Cup tie with League One Leyton Orient last week. One for the purists I think.Chelsea United?Only Enzo Maresca knows if Chelsea’s squad have turned a cornerCredit: AlamyINTERESTING to see a gaggle of hooded youths infiltrate Chelsea’s dugout on Tuesday night.But as I was about to hand over my phone and wallet to the fearsome-looking gang, I realised the group was made up of Blues stars that had not been named in the squad.They included Jadon Sancho and Robert Sanchez and at full-time they all shuffled out to backslap their team-mates for a 5-0 win over Barrow.A very public exercise in camaraderie to make it look like the players are as one? READ MORE SUN STORIESOr a genuine act to nurture togetherness in an improving squad that has had its fair share of issues lately?Only boss Enzo Maresca can really tell us.  More

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      Watch horror own goal as Liverpool star kicks ball against team-mate who ‘can’t catch a break’ in West Ham clash

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      LIVERPOOL ace Jarell Quansah scored a freak own goal against West Ham following a moment of madness.Quansah, 21, was named in the Reds manager Arne Slot’s starting line-up in the third round of Carabao Cup against the Hammers at Anfield.Liverpool scored a freak own goal against West Ham in the Carabao CupLiverpool ace Wataru Endo kicked the ball against Jarell QuansahQuansah then saw the ball ending up behind Liverpool’s own netLiverpool fans then stormed social media to back QuansahCredit: APHowever, the centre-back was very unfortunate in the 21st minute when the visitors won a corner-kick down the left.Panic ensued in the Merseysiders’ defence after the cross and that was when Wataru Endo instinctively tried to whack the ball away.However, Endo’s clearance hit Quansah and then ended at the back of Caoimhin Kelleher’s net.Liverpool fans were left stunned but stormed to social media to back the England Under-21 international who was not at fault.Read More on FootballOne fan tweeted: “Poor Quansah. He’s just scored an own goal. He can’t catch a break that lad!”Another commented: “That’s not a good one.”A third said: “Keeper hopeless, shambolic defending too.”This one gasped: “What just happened?!”Most read in FootballAnd that one posted: “Bloody hell.”Quansah has been struggling to break into Liverpool’s starting line-up under Slot.Jamie Carragher names all-time Liverpool XI with Match of the Day legend, Steven Gerrard and no room for Luis SuarezThe defender only started one match in the Premier League season opener against Ipswich next to Virgil van Dijk.However, the youngster was replaced at half-time and Slot has been fielding Van Dijk next to Ibrahima Konate ever since. More

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      Man Utd and West Ham on transfer red alert with Leon Goretzka ‘unhappy’ after Bayern Munich axe

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      BAYERN MUNICH have put a host of Premier League clubs on red alert by admitting that Leon Goretzka is “unhappy”.The 29-year-old German international midfielder has been brutally axed by new boss Vincent Kompany this term following the arrival of Joao Palhinha from Fulham.Leon Goretzka is unhappy at Bayern MunichCredit: GettyAnd his potential availability has put several clubs including Man Utd on alert over a transferCredit: GettyGoretzka has been at Bayern since 2018 and remains under contract until 2026 but he could be set to push for a move in January.He has played just one minute of competitive football under Kompany and failed to even make the bench for Saturday’s 6-1 victory over Holstein Kiel.Manchester United and West Ham have been long-term admirers of the experienced star.A host of other top-flight clubs would also be keen should Goretzka become available.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd the prospect of him departing Bayern appears to be very real as director of sport Max Eberl revealed how miserable the ex-Schalke man is.He said: “We communicated very clearly from the start.“Leon knew that we were relying on Pavlo [Aleksandar Pavlovic], and that we would bring in with Palhinha and that Josh [Kimmich] would play more in the centre again.”He added: “We’ve also said that when Leon is there and ready to face the situation, he’ll be treated completely normally.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Leon’s a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he’s obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that’s part of life in football.”Bayern know that his value will drop significantly once he enters the final 12 months of his contract in June.Manchester United vs SouthamptonThat means that they could look to push him out of the door in January with a potential loan-to-buy agreement.Although his £273,000-a-week wages could be an issue.Man Utd ratings vs Southampton as Onana saves a penalty and Rashford finally scoresMARCUS RASHFORD scored his first Premier League goal in 189 days as Manchester United cruised to a 3-0 victory at Southampton.The Red Devils got back to winning ways after suffering defeats in their last two Prem games, with Matthijs de Ligt notching his first Man Utd goal.But United had Andre Onana to thank as the keeper kept out Cameron Archer’s penalty at 0-0.Here’s how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett rated United’s stars…Andre Onana – 7Saved the penalty by Cameron Archer, albeit a poor one from the Southampton forward.But that stop and the stopped rebound proved to be absolutely crucial.Noussair Mazraouri – 7Needed treatment after falling awkwardly in the first half but that did not stop him from delivering a solid performance.Also got forward to good effect before being one of three United defenders to be subbed off.Matthijs De Ligt – 8Shaky start defensively but was unmarked to score from Bruno Fernandes cross to calm United’s nerves with the opener.He was delighted to get his first United goal and dedicated his celebration to his wife’s birthday today.Lisandro Martinez – 7Not been in great form so anything was an improvement – although Saints’ attack was toothless.Diogo Dalot – 5Suffered an absolute shocker of a first half courtesy of Southampton’s tricky wingers.Conceded the penalty after bringing down Tyler Dibling but was also constantly exposed throughout the half.Kobbie Mainoo – 6United continue to lean far too heavily on such a young player. And this defensive role does not really suit him.Christian Eriksen – 7A surprise starter although United’s two goals came from his corners.The system, though, still does not play to his strengths as he is too deep.Bruno Fernandes – 7Cracking corner cross ball from Eriksen who plonked the ball on the head of De Ligt.Amad Diallo – 7Looked lively throughout – really encouraging. Teed up Rashford for the second goal.Joshua Zirkzee – 6Forced a couple of saves by Aaron Ramsdale but does not look like a 25 goal-a-season striker.Marcus Rashford – 7Hopefully the second goal will give him a real confidence boost. Also forced a couple of saves from Aaron Ramsdale.SUBSGarnacho (for Rashford 73 mins) 7Was brutally fouled by Stephens who saw red shortly after coming on. Notched United’s third goal of the game in the final minute.He struck high into Ramsdale’s high corner after a brilliant ball from Casemiro.Manuel Ugarte (for Eriksen 73 mins) 6Harry Maguire (for Mazraouri 74 mins) 6Jonny Evans (for Martinez 77 mins) 6 More

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      Super-sub Danny Ings scores dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to rescue point from nowhere for Hammers

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      DANNY INGS’ dramatic 95th minute strike rescued a point for West Ham with his first goal since March.The striker, who has been a huge disappointment for the Hammers until now, rifled home to steal a draw which Julen Lopetegui’s side hardly deserved.Danny Ings stole a point for the HammersRaul Jimenez scored his sixth career goal as Fulham looked set to winCredit: GettyJulen Lopetegui looked set to lose all four opening games before Ings struckFulham had been dominant and were cruising their way to three points thanks to Raul Jimenez’s first half strike until crumbling in the final seconds.The Cottagers started fast, Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi all causing West Ham trouble with smart and neat footwork around the box.Adama Traore was a threat on the break too and the Hammers had a lucky escape when Max Kilman went unpunished for a last-ditch shove on the winger in the penalty area.Ref Tim Robinson deemed the contact was minimal. He headed for the touchline but not to consult VAR, only to book Fulham boss Silva for his protests.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe bulky winger then barged his way in at the back post to meet a dangerous Iwobi cross but headed wide.West Ham were struggling to get out of their half as Fulham continued to turn up the heat, soon breaking their way through.The Hammers had been powerless to stop Fulham creating chances but did not cover themselves in glory for the goal. Sasa Lukic was allowed plenty of time to pick out Smith Rowe’s fine run in behind from deep.Smith Rowe did well to keep the ball in play and took his time before cutting back through the legs of Konstantinos Mavropanos and tee up Jiminez to tap home his first Premier League goal of the season at the near post.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFulham were full of confidence, given a clear plan which was being executed superbly. West Ham looked somewhat of a rabble.Lopetegui was given £127.5million of new signings in the summer to help transform West Ham into a free-flowing footballing side. But they were shaky on the ball and often relied on an individual run or a long ball to relieve the pressure.West Ham chief Karren Brady has her say on VAR in Premier League and predicts ‘a season of anger and confusion’The Hammers boss turned to one of his new men – Crysencio Summerville – at the break to try and get them going, with Lucas Paqueta also sent on after he had been rested following a return trip to South America during the international break.While the changes helped stem the tide of Fulham chances, it took West Ham until the hour mark to start looking more dangerous on the ball.Jarrod Bowen, moved up top after Michail Antonio was replaced at the break, collected a Mohammed Kudus cross ahead of Joachim Andersen but saw his close range effort stopped by Bernd Leno.That one chance could have sparked some confidence within the visitors, but never amounted to anything more.West Ham were without their new No9, Niclas Fullkrug, following an injury while away with Germany lacked a dominating presence through the middle.Lopetegui, who had lost Emerson Palmieri to a knee injury, then threw on deadline day signing Carlos Soler for a debut to try and find a leveller.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis introduction changed little and Lopetegui called for Ings for the final ten minutes.West Ham ramped up late pressure with a few corners before Bowen managed to pick out Ings between Andersen and Calvin Bassey, allowing the striker to fire home.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Fulham 1 West Ham 1: Super-sub Danny Ings scores dramatic 95th-minute equaliser to rescue point from nowhere for Hammers

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      DANNY INGS’ dramatic 95th minute strike rescued a point for West Ham with his first goal since March.The striker, who has been a huge disappointment for the Hammers until now, rifled home to steal a draw which Julen Lopetegui’s side hardly deserved.Danny Ings stole a point for the HammersAnd the visitors couldn’t believe it after a quiet afternoonRaul Jimenez scored his sixth career goal as Fulham looked set to winCredit: GettyJulen Lopetegui looked set to lose all four opening games before Ings struckFulham had been dominant and were cruising their way to three points thanks to Raul Jimenez’s first half strike until crumbling in the final seconds.The Cottagers started fast, Emile Smith Rowe, Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi all causing West Ham trouble with smart and neat footwork around the box.Adama Traore was a threat on the break too and the Hammers had a lucky escape when Max Kilman went unpunished for a last-ditch shove on the winger in the penalty area.But referee Tim Robinson deemed the contact was minimal to the dismay of home fans.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRobinson headed for the touchline but not to consult VAR, only to book Fulham boss Silva for his protests.The bulky winger then barged his way in at the back post to meet a dangerous Iwobi cross but headed wide.West Ham were struggling to get out of their half as Fulham continued to turn up the heat, soon breaking their way through.The Hammers had been powerless to stop Fulham creating chances but did not cover themselves in glory for the goal. Most read in FootballJimenez opened the scoringAdama Traore was bundled down in the area by Max KilmanCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSasa Lukic was allowed plenty of time to pick out Smith Rowe’s fine run in behind from deep.Smith Rowe did well to keep the ball in play and took his time before cutting back through the legs of Konstantinos Mavropanos and tee up Jiminez to tap home his first Premier League goal of the season at the near post.West Ham chief Karren Brady has her say on VAR in Premier League and predicts ‘a season of anger and confusion’Fulham were full of confidence, given a clear plan which was being executed superbly. West Ham looked somewhat of a rabble.Lopetegui was given £127.5million of new signings in the summer to help transform West Ham into a free-flowing footballing side. But they were shaky on the ball and often relied on an individual run or a long ball to relieve the pressure.The Hammers boss turned to one of his new men – Crysencio Summerville – after half-time to try and get them going, with Lucas Paqueta also sent on after he had been rested following a return trip to South America during the international break.While the changes helped stem the tide of Fulham chances, it took West Ham until the hour mark to start looking more dangerous on the ball.Jarrod Bowen, moved up top after Michail Antonio was replaced at the break, collected a Mohammed Kudus cross ahead of Joachim Andersen but saw his close range effort stopped by Bernd Leno.That one chance could have sparked some confidence within the visitors, but never amounted to anything more.West Ham were without their new No9, Niclas Fullkrug, following an injury while away with Germany lacked a dominating presence through the middle.Lopetegui, who had lost Emerson Palmieri to a knee injury, then threw on deadline day signing Carlos Soler for a debut to try and find a leveller.His introduction changed little and Lopetegui called for Ings for the final ten minutes.West Ham ramped up late pressure with a few corners before Bowen managed to pick out Ings between Andersen and Calvin Bassey, allowing the striker to fire home.Silva saw Bassey miss a last gasp header to regain the lead in the final seconds and was furious that Kilman was not sent off for a first half shove on Traore in the penalty box.READ MORE SUN STORIESSilva, who was booked for his protest, said: “If it is a penalty he should be sent off, the player didn’t try to play the ball.”That moment, clear penalty and clear red card.”Danny Ings stole a point with a stoppage time leveller at FulhamCredit: ReutersAnd West Ham fans couldn’t believe itCredit: Reuters More

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      Premier League fans just accept their team rolling over for Man City – but everyone tried to beat Man Utd under Fergie

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      ERLING HAALAND sauntered out of Stratford on Saturday night clutching a match ball under his arm, leaving behind 60,000 comatosed Cockneys.West Ham had duly fulfilled their role in the annual turn-up-and-take-three-points parade for Manchester City.Erling Haaland with the matchball after his hat-trick at West HamCredit: RexThe Hammers at least used to give Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United a gameCredit: RexIn itself, this is fine. There’s no doubt that having a planet-sized Viking battering ram spearheading a team of magicians gives City a certain edge over their rivals.But in conversation with some Hammers-supporting friends in the aftermath, one of them shrugged off the latest surrender by admitting ‘our season won’t be defined by Man City at home’.And that is the state of the Premier League in a nutshell.A declaration of defeat being totally acceptable — indeed, expected and irrelevant — long before kick-off. By the fans, not the players.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThere was a time when a visit to West Ham for teams at the top of the table was a football minefield.When Manchester United were the dominant force here in the Nineties and Noughties, wherever they went they mostly got a game on the field.Even if they didn’t, the home team’s supporters would whip it up so that whichever of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 title-winning squads came to visit, they played in fevered stadiums.Everyone just wanted to give the champions  a bloody nose. And back in 1995,  United were defending the  title right up to the last day, when they rocked up at West Ham’s old Upton Park ground.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe atmosphere was so hostile that the very air became a performance-enhancing drug for the mid-table Hammers, who built a wall around their goal to deny a very red-faced Fergie his win and the title went to Blackburn — by a point.That season, the Red Devils lost at Everton, Leeds, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday in the league.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsLesser teams who were up for landing a punch on the best team in the country for the sake of it — or because they simply couldn’t stand United.Ferguson toughened up his team to wrestle back the crown 12 months later but even then they lost at Leeds again, Aston Villa and Southampton.In the past two seasons, Brentford and Wolves are the only teams from outside the traditional Big Six to  have found enough gumption to beat Pep Guardiola’s City at home in the Premier League.West Ham have moved grounds since 1995 but the apathy among what was once  a ferocious fanbase is not entirely down to the vast oval-shaped ground they now play at.It’s become the mindset of the  fans that, come what may, City will stroll up, pass their way around  the West Ham players and help  themselves to a few goals.If this is the feeling on the terraces in the East End of London, be sure it’s the same at Southampton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth,  Nottingham Forest, Leicester. The list goes on.West Ham have not beaten City  at home in the Premier League  since 2014.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.No wonder Guardiola’s team have been able to plunder four titles on the spin with diehard home support diluted to a point of disappearing and those that remain resigned to defeat.It’s not games against closest rivals that should count. Clashes between the top teams have always guaranteed uncertainty because of the smaller skills gap between the players.It should be the less glamorous surroundings of the relative minnows or the also-rans where English leagues are ultimately won and lost.Top-flight grounds are now more like must-see stop-offs on the tourist trail than hotbeds of pumped-up locals lying in wait to ambush title ambitions of the elite.ANDREW DILLONAt grounds where world-class footballers like Haaland tremble, even if just momentarily.The players of those teams need their supporters to believe — foolishly  or not — that everything depends on beating City.That even if they go down, they go down fighting.Not knowing that the vast majority of the home crowd are checking their watches to see if there’s time for a crafty pint if they leave early enough and that losing to City at home is ticked off for another year.GREEN WITH ENVYOF course, the Irish have a point about Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and, to an extent, Lee Carsley.With Rice in particular, three senior caps for the Republic of Ireland before jumping ship to England in 2019, means he should rightfully expect a coating from the fans in Dublin on Saturday. Grealish is the same, having represented the Boys in Green at Under-21 level.Lee Carsley won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland but will manage England against them on SaturdayCredit: GettyEngland’s interim boss, former midfielder Carsley, played 40 times for the Republic, so is Irish in football parlance.Yep, pretty dodgy, isn’t it? The Irish must be fed up as hell to have lost those three to their colours — and it’s England’s gain.For those old enough to remember Sunday afternoons watching quiz show Bullseye on the telly, the words of compere Jim Bowen spring to mind, ‘Look at what you could have won’.THE D’OR IS WIDE OPENTHE Ballon d’Or has been pretty much a two-horse race for 15 years.With the odd exception, it has been either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo winning the poll of the planet’s best player.So it’s refreshing that neither Messi nor Ronaldo has even been nominated for the 2024 award.Can’t see past Erling Haaland as the winner but seeing Jude Bellingham’s name on the list suggests there could be more competition from now on.However, we need the likes of fellow nominees Kylian Mbappe and Phil Foden to make sure the competition doesn’t just slip back into its old ways.Otherwise, it will be no more interesting than Scottish football.MAKING A BEELINE FOR ITI DO rather bang on about climate change and annoy the hell out of my editor by doom-mongering about the environment.Yet it’s always better to see something good happening and reading this week’s ‘Sport Positive’ bulletin, a little initiative by Brentford lifted my mood.The Bees travel to Manchester City for their next match a week on Saturday.And they have teamed up with Trainline so that anyone in possession of an away ticket can save 20 per cent on the rail fares to Manchester.It’s part of the ‘I Came By Train’ campaign to curb car journeys and it’s wonderfully simple.Though it does make me think why nobody has thought of it before?LIFE GOES JONNORTHERN IRELAND began life without Jonny Evans in their squad last night.READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter 107 caps, one of the best defenders and nicest blokes in the game has retired from international football.Just hope the Irish FA don’t let him slip away and give him a role shaping the next generation in their tiny but productive football outpost. 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      Former Liverpool Champions League winner Joel Matip, 33, handed Premier League lifeline after three months unemployed

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      JOEL MATIP has been handed a Premier League lifeline as West Ham are in the market to bring in a central defender as a free agent.The former Liverpool ace has been without a club for nearly three months.Free agent Joel Matip is being targeted by West Ham who are looking to sign a defenderWest Ham let both Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd leave on loan last week and new boss Julen Lopetegui is keen to further bolster his backline.Matip is among the players being targeted with talks for a potential deal for the 33-year-old set to continue this week.The Hammers are also eyeing 31-year-old John Egan as well who left Sheffield United over the summer.Lopetegui’s side have already purchased Max Kilman for £40m and Jean-Clair Todibo on loan with an option to sign him for £34.2m next summer.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City last weekend and 2-0 loss to Aston Villa on their season opener, West Ham still need to improve their defense.West Ham academy star Kaelan Casey, 19, was on the bench during Saturday’s defeat.But Lopetegui is hoping either free agent can come in as an option for Kilman, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Todibo.Matip has been jobless since leaving Liverpool at the end of last season after his contract expired at Anfield.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe spent eight years and 201 appearances for the Reds under Jurgen Klopp.The defender has not played since December 3 after suffering a knee injury.What’s new this season? Egan exited Sheffield United after six years and 200 appearances at the club.The Hammers are also in talks with former Sheffield United star John Egan More