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Football / Zamora double puts West Ham into playoff final
« on: May 18, 2005, 04:34:08 PM »
Zamora double puts West Ham into playoff final
(adds quotes, details)
LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - Two goals from Bobby Zamora put West Ham United into the second division promotion playoff final with a 2-0 away win over Ipswich Town on Wednesday.
Zamora struck twice in the second half to give his side a 4-2 aggregate win after the semi-final second leg at Portman Road following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Upton Park.
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The Londoners are just one game away from reclaiming the Premier League place they lost in 2003.
They will face Preston North End or Derby County, who play their second leg at Pride Park on Thursday, in the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 30.
Preston lead 2-0 from Sunday's first leg at Deepdale.
"It gives us the opportunity to win a playoff situation," said West Ham manager Alan Pardew. "We're really pleased and I have even let the lads have a couple of beers tonight."
Zamora, who has been criticised by the Upton Park fans this season, was the hero as West Ham clinched victory over Ipswich in the playoff semi-final for the second year running.
"I'm delighted to score the goals that get us to the final," West Ham fan Zamora told Sky Sports. "I have got a lot of friends here who have been right behind me.
100TH GOAL
West Ham had dominated the match but failed to find the target until Zamora popped up to tap in a low cross from fellow forward Marlon Harewood after 61 minutes.
It was the 100th goal of the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur striker's career and he added another in the 72nd minute with a delightful sidefooted volley over Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis.
Harewood, playing in a wide position instead of down the middle, was again the provider as he sent an inviting right-wing cross over the defence for Zamora to knock in from the edge of the box.
After a roller-coaster season in which they scraped into the playoffs, Harewood said: "West Ham have had their ups and downs but when we play quality teams it brings the best out of our players."
Ipswich, who came back from 2-0 down to draw the first leg, will feel especially aggrieved after finishing third in the final standings, 12 points above sixth-placed West Ham.
Sunderland and Wigan Athletic were promoted automatically with Southampton, Norwich City and Crystal Palace being relegated from the Premier League.
(adds quotes, details)
LONDON, May 18 (Reuters) - Two goals from Bobby Zamora put West Ham United into the second division promotion playoff final with a 2-0 away win over Ipswich Town on Wednesday.
Zamora struck twice in the second half to give his side a 4-2 aggregate win after the semi-final second leg at Portman Road following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Upton Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Londoners are just one game away from reclaiming the Premier League place they lost in 2003.
They will face Preston North End or Derby County, who play their second leg at Pride Park on Thursday, in the final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 30.
Preston lead 2-0 from Sunday's first leg at Deepdale.
"It gives us the opportunity to win a playoff situation," said West Ham manager Alan Pardew. "We're really pleased and I have even let the lads have a couple of beers tonight."
Zamora, who has been criticised by the Upton Park fans this season, was the hero as West Ham clinched victory over Ipswich in the playoff semi-final for the second year running.
"I'm delighted to score the goals that get us to the final," West Ham fan Zamora told Sky Sports. "I have got a lot of friends here who have been right behind me.
100TH GOAL
West Ham had dominated the match but failed to find the target until Zamora popped up to tap in a low cross from fellow forward Marlon Harewood after 61 minutes.
It was the 100th goal of the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur striker's career and he added another in the 72nd minute with a delightful sidefooted volley over Ipswich keeper Kelvin Davis.
Harewood, playing in a wide position instead of down the middle, was again the provider as he sent an inviting right-wing cross over the defence for Zamora to knock in from the edge of the box.
After a roller-coaster season in which they scraped into the playoffs, Harewood said: "West Ham have had their ups and downs but when we play quality teams it brings the best out of our players."
Ipswich, who came back from 2-0 down to draw the first leg, will feel especially aggrieved after finishing third in the final standings, 12 points above sixth-placed West Ham.
Sunderland and Wigan Athletic were promoted automatically with Southampton, Norwich City and Crystal Palace being relegated from the Premier League.