Premier League: Allardyce angry as supporters greet West Ham win with jeers
WEST HAM UNITED 2 HULL CITY 1
FRUSTRATED West Ham boss Sam Allardyce last night hit back at supporters who booed his team as they climbed nine points clear of the relegation zone against 10-man Hull.
An own goal from Tigers defender James Chester handed the Hammers a valuable win, following three straight defeats, after Hull’s Nikica Jelavic had cancelled out Mark Noble’s penalty.
Yet Allardyce insisted a victory that lifted West Ham to 11th in the Premier League and edged them to within four points of his target of 38 had been made tougher by the home fans.
“We got a little nervous because our fans decided they weren’t going to get behind us, which really surprised me,” he said.
“We were winning at half-time and one or two weren’t happy. I’ve never been in a place where I won and got booed.
“I started at 16, got into the first team at 18 and I’m 59 now and I have never been in place where we have won and got booed.
“At half-time players were talking more about fans booing them than the game.
“Fans affect players. We don’t need them on the players’ backs when we are coming off three defeats. They have to stay and help them win.”
West Ham rode their luck to win a penalty mid-way through the first half. Referee Mike Dean missed Mo Diame’s handball and instead sent off Hull goalkeeper Alan McGregor – who would have left the field anyway through injury – for bundling into the midfielder.
Noble despatched the kick, but Allardyce’s men struggled to take advantage of a composed and spirited 10 men, to the audible discontent of some Hammers supporters.
Hull earned a break of their own just after half-time when former Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone’s free-kick deflected off Jelavic, flummoxing Hammers keeper Adrian to bring the visitors level.
But fortune swung back in the Hammers’ favour moments later, when Guy Demel’s cross struck Chester’s knee and looped over substitute goalkeeper Steve Harper.