Ince Bursts West Ham's Bubbles - Full Report

Scored Two
By Scott Cooper
January 15 2005

THE Man the West Ham Fans love to hate was the Wolves hero on Saturday as Paul Ince struck home from the edge of the area to earn Glenn Hoddle his first league win.

THE Man the West Ham Fans love to hate was the Wolves hero on Saturday as Paul Ince struck home from the edge of the area to earn Glenn Hoddle his first league win.

For once the fans left Molineux with smiles on their faces. A first win in seven league games was confirmed when Carl Cort struck home after 76 minutes and the strong contingent of Hammers' fans walked away disappointed after Paul Ince had burst their bubbles.

It was a game Hoddle had said Wolves needed to win and Wolves answered the managers cries by hitting four goals for the second time this season.

Wolves striker Kenny Miller had given Wolves the lead before the Hammers equalised through a Bobby Zamora goal. It finished 1-1 at the break despite a bright opening from the home side with Seol and Olofinjana both came close.

West Ham started the second half the brighter but it was Wolves who struck first, with former Walsall 'keeper Jimmy Walker providing a comedy moment - like the one he made against Wolves at the Bescott in 2003 (read the report) - as he let a tame Miller shot fly through his hands at his near post.

Wolves might have thought at 2-1 it would be comfortable, but West Ham had other ideas as within two minutes Zamora had tapped home from a yard after some poor Wolves defending.

The Hammers then went for the win, but as Cort chased down a ball and squared to the edge of the area, Paul Ince pounced to guide the ball past Walker into the goal. Ince enjoyed it, with his celebration in front of the Hammers fans showing how much the goal meant.

Two minutes later and it was a case of game set and match for Wolves. Man of the match Seol used some neat skill in the area and his cross found Carl Cort who made no mistake from close range.

How The Goals Were Scored:

29 Minutes (1-0) Carl Cort controlled the ball in the area and laid the ball into the path of Kenny Miller who made no mistake from close range.

36 Minutes (1-1) A superb ball from one-time Wolves target Rebrov found Bobby Zamora who curled the ball 'round the advancing Matt Murray.

54 Minutes (2-1) A Seol cross headed for the far post where Kenny Miller guided the ball goalwards. The shot however was too hot to handle for Jimmy Walker.

56 Minutes (2-2) A simple ball aimed across the face of the Wolves 6' yard box was not dealt with and Bobby Zamora tapped home from close range.

72 Minutes (3-2) Carl Cort chased down a ball and fired towards the edge of the area where Paul Ince pounced to guide the ball past Walker.

76 Minutes (4-2) The impressive Seol charged into the box and his low cross found Carl Cort who made no mistake from close range.