West Ham’s Scott Parker, right, attempts to block a clearance by Blackpool’s DJ Campbell.
West Ham’s Scott Parker, right, attempts to block a clearance by Blackpool’s DJ Campbell.

West Ham woe shows no sign of letting up



West Ham 0 Blackpool 0

LONDON // Striker Marlon Harewood was cheered on to the pitch as a second-half substitute for Blackpool, then cheered off it at the final whistle - and that was by the West Ham United fans.

In contrast, the home supporters ruthlessly booed Luis Boa Morte when he was taken off and offered resigned groans towards their own team. Many called for manager Avram Grant's head at the end.

Bizarre? Not really. It merely summed up how bad things have become for the Hammers when the frustrated natives preferred to proffer more regard and adulation for one of their former players then a current member of the team.

Harewood remains a totem of happier times for the Hammers while Boa Morte has become a symbol of the current team's parlous state.

Back in 2006 it was Harewood's winning goal that took West Ham to an FA Cup final they agonisingly lost on penalties to Liverpool.

Since then it has been pretty much downhill for the club, and now things would seem to be hurtling out of control. Despite this point, they remain bottom of the league and relegation is a realistic outcome to this season.

The fact the Hammers gained even a draw was because a couple of minutes after Harewood had come on for DJ Campbell in the 67th minute he had a tap in goal ruled out for a very marginal offside decision.

Then, five minutes from the end, Harewood produced one of the misses of the season when he somehow side-footed wide from five yards out.

So maybe some of the applause from the supporters at the end was out of sheer relief that he had not made things worse, as much as respect for his past efforts.

There was no doubt about why Boa Morte was on the receiving end of West Ham jeers.

He was one of a wave of players who were brought in at vast expense by the club's previous regime at the sacrifice of hardworking performers such as Harewood.

Boa Morte was once more a pitiful performer and when he did get the chance to make an impression, when beautifully set up by Scott Parker who again was West Ham's outstanding player, the Portuguese winger dragged his shot woefully wide.

Mind you he was not the only one to spurn some great openings for Grant's side, most notably in the 80th minute when Carlton Cole, the second-half substitute, somehow managed to hit the post from close range when it seemed easier to score. Then again Blackpool squandered chances too.

As Ian Holloway, their manager, pointed out: " I think it was one of the best and most open nil-nil [draws] I have seen."

In the wake of the midweek's furore over the weakened team he had selected at Aston Villa it was a satisfying outcome for Holloway, who made 11 changes to the side that lost to Villa and now knows he really has genuine competition for places.

Yesterday Blackpool looked a team up for the long fight ahead. West Ham looked a shambles.

Grant has run out of excuses apart from moaning over not getting penalty shouts. They sounded the cries of desperate man.

Meanwhile, it is understood that Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, is ready to make a cut-price raid on his former club West Ham in the January transfer window.

Centre-half Matthew Upson and forward Carlton Cole would be the targets and given West Ham's poor financial situation, it is unlikely that owners David Gold and David Sullivan would be able to turn dow a serious bid.

Manchester City 0 Birmingham City 0

Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, has defended his tactics after a second scoreless home draw in four days. “Which pressure? For what?” the Italian said. “You continue to say I am under pressure. Which pressure? Because some fans say I did not put two strikers on, or journalists say I am too defensive? I am not under pressure. We are in fourth position. We have some problems. Since the start of the season it has been the case that if Carlos Tevez doesn’t score, no one does.”

Stoke 2 Liverpool 0

Stoke - Fuller 56', Jones 90+1'
Red card - Leiva (Liverpool)
Liverpool's stuttering mini-revival petered out in dismal fashion as they lost 2-0 to Stoke City. A six-match unbeaten run came to end as they were out-fought, out-played and out-manoeuvred by Tony Pulis's side. Ricardo Fuller opened the scoring just after half time and Kenwyne Jones completed a comprehensive victory in the final minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second booking.

Wigan Athletic 1 West Bromwich 0

Wigan Moses 70'
Roberto Martinez praised Victor Moses after he stepped off the bench to score the winner against West Bromwich Albion. It was a first league goal this season for Moses, 19, who moved from Crystal Palace in January and Martinez, the Wigan manager, said: "We wanted to stretch the game and that is why I sent on Moses. He has the ability and is in a great moment. He is still adapting to the Premier League. He is a raw talent."

Wolves 2 Bolton Wanderers 3

Wolves - Foley 69', Fletcher 77'
Bolton - Stearman (og) 1', Elmander 62', Holden 67'
Owen Coyle insisted he is comfortable with Johan Elmander's contract situation after seeing the striker further boost his reputation with a fine strike in Bolton's 3-2 win at Wolves. "He is in the last year of his contract," Coyle said. "But I speak to him every day and we have a very good relationship. I'm comfortable with the situation and he keeps giving me everything he's got."

Newcastle United 0 Fulham 0

Andy Carroll earned the praise of both managers after he came closest to breaking the deadlock at St James’ Park. Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer denied Carroll his eighth goal of the season with a superb save which ensured honours remained even. “He couldn’t have done any more this season to stake a claim [for an England] call up,” said Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton. “He’s a difficult player to deal with. He’s a real threat,” added Fulham’s Mark Hughes.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

RESULTS

Tottenham 1

Jan Vertonghen 13'

Norwich 1

Josip Drmic 78'

2-3 on penalties

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Walls

Louis Tomlinson

3 out of 5 stars

(Syco Music/Arista Records)

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
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Getting there

The flights

Emirates and Etihad fly to Johannesburg or Cape Town daily. Flights cost from about Dh3,325, with a flying time of 8hours and 15 minutes. From there, fly South African Airlines or Air Namibia to Namibia’s Windhoek Hosea Kutako International Airport, for about Dh850. Flying time is 2 hours.

The stay

Wilderness Little Kulala offers stays from £460 (Dh2,135) per person, per night. It is one of seven Wilderness Safari lodges in Namibia; www.wilderness-safaris.com.

Skeleton Coast Safaris’ four-day adventure involves joining a very small group in a private plane, flying to some of the remotest areas in the world, with each night spent at a different camp. It costs from US$8,335.30 (Dh30,611); www.skeletoncoastsafaris.com

Arctic Monkeys

Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino) 

 

match info

Southampton 0

Arsenal 2 (Nketiah 20', Willock 87')

Red card: Jack Stephens (Southampton)

Man of the match: Rob Holding (Arsenal)

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Game Changer

Director: Shankar 

Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram

Rating: 2/5

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

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You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

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