West Ham United – Arsenal

1. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0113/avramgrantgold20110105_275x155.jpg">

2. Is Avram Grant presiding over his last game in charge of West Ham on Saturday? Kevin Keegan certainly <A HREF= http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/865054/kevin-keegan:-time-to-cut-avram-some-slack?cc=5739 target=new>hopes not</A>.

3. Live updates will appear here from 1715 GMT.

4. All eyes are on Upton Park this evening, with Martin O'Neill rumoured to be waiting in the wings, Avram Grant takes his team into a clash with title-chasing Arsenal.

5. A huge blow for West Ham prior to kick off, Scott Parker is injured and misses tonight's game. How can the Hammers cope in his absence?

6. Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri come back into the Arsenal team after missing the mid-week Carling Cup defeat to Ipswich.

7. Arsenal can't move up the table tonight, but they need three points to stay in touch with the Manchester clubs at the top of the table.

8. West Ham can climb off the bottom of the table with a shock win tonight.

9. Kick off is drawing near, what must Avram Grant be thinking? If he wins tonight, how can West Ham turn around and sack him?

10. <b>KICK OFF</b> Arsenal get us started.

11. 1'

    Arsenal straight into possession and passing the ball well. They need a result today having only scored one goal in their last three games. Former Real Madrid man Faubert concedes an early corner...

12. 2'

    Matthew Upson heads clear the corner, but from the second ball Fabregas is fouled in a dangerous area...

13. 2'

    Robin Van Persie's free kick is straight into the wall. Arsenal punt the ball back into the box, Van Persie's knock down looking for Nasri before Faubert hooks clear.

14. 3'

    An untimely slip from Theo Walcott as he looks to embark on a run into the West Ham box. Szczesny reacts well to clear a long ball from the Hammers at the other end.

15. 4'

    Will the West Ham players look to put in a performance for their manager in what looks like being his final game?

16. 5'

    West Ham are starting to come into the game and seeing more of the ball. There is a flat atmosphere at Upton Park.

17. 6'

    Foul by Nobel near half way, Arsenal free kick.

18. 7'

    Van Persie lays the ball of for Nasri, who catches his shot well but Robert Green gathers at the first attempt.

19. 8'

    West Ham are keeping their shape well and competing in midfield. They are definitely more settled now.

20. 10'

    Arsenal have slowed down after their rapid start, the West Ham fans burst into a chorus of "blowing bubbles".

21. 11'

    Zavon Hines is in behind Eboue and looks for Cole with his low cross, Clichy turns it behind for a corner...

22. 12'

    Noble's corner is cleared at the near post before Noble is dispossessed by Fabregas at the second attempt.

23. 13'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Robin Van Persie opens the scoring!</b> Theo Walcott has too much time to square for Van Persie on the penalty spot, who spins and smashes his shot emphatically past Green! A hammer blow for West Ham.

24. 14'

    Awful defending from West Ham, and in particular the debutant Wayne Bridge. He stood off Walcott, who was allowed to pick out Van Persie with ease.

25. 15'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Julien Faubert</b> is in the book for a lunge on Fabregas by the touchline. A certain booking.

26. 16'

    Green punches clear the free kick under pressure from Van Persie. Song finds Nasri from the loose ball, but his cut back for Djourou is poor.

27. 17'

    Johann Djourou almost lets Jonathan Spector in after a slip, but the Swiss defender recovers and Arsenal break. Walcott finds himself free through the middle, Tomkins does well to put him under pressure and Walcotts eventual shot is feeble.

28. 18'

    Arsenal are looking very dangerous on the break. This could be a rout if West Ham aren't careful.

29. 19'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Luis Boa Morte on for Mark Noble</b>

30. 20'

    A huge blow for West Ham, who have now lost Noble to injury. It's been a disasterous start for the home side.

31. 21'

    Jack Wilshere shows wonderfully quick feet to slalom through the West Ham defence, unfortunately he's not quick enough and Green manages to gather.

32. 22'

    What a chance for West Ham!!! Johann Djourou is completely outmuscled by Carlton Cole, who finds himself clear on goal. His right-footed effort is excellently saved by Szczesny but the rebound falls to Boa Morte. He burst into the box and feeds Hines, who fire his shot from a narrowly angle just over the bar.

33. 23'

    Terrible defending from Djourou, neither side is covering themselves in glory at the back.

34. 24'

    West Ham are trying to put a nervy-looking Arsenal backline under pressure. Can they create chances?

35. 25'

    Carlton Cole is looking too strong for Djourou at the moment, Arsene Wenger desperately needs to purchase a centre half.

36. 26'

    Foul by Djourou on Spector in the centre circle, free kick.

37. 27'

    A lightning-fast break from Arsenal, with Van Persie feeding Fabregas. The Spaniard surges towards goal and passes back to Van Persie, who beautifully tees up Song and his deflected shot is gathered by Rob Green.

38. 29'

    James Tomkins is back on the pitch after receiving some treatment. The last thing they need is another injury.

39. 30'

    West Ham look an absolute shambles at the back. Wayne Bridge makes a mess of his clearance and panic ensues. Eventually Green gathers but it's hard not to see Arsenal scoring again here...

40. 31'

    Arsenal hit a post! Nasri glides through a challenge before setting up Van Persie who smashes a well struck drive against the post with Green beaten. Unlucky.

41. 32'

    Samir Nasri attempts to twist and turn past Wayne Bridge, but the loanee does well to tackle him, sending the ball off Nasri and out for a goal kick.

42. 33'

    A bit of fight from West Ham after more hesitancy from Djourou. He looks like the weak link at the moment...

43. 35'

    West Ham are trying to get close to Arsenal, but the Gunners are far too quick.

44. 36'

    Radoslav Kovac concedes a needless corner...

45. 37'

    West Ham manage to clear, but Arsenal still have possession...

46. 38'

    Fabregas and Nasri combine superbly, Nasri is released on goal, the angle is tight and his lofted effort floats across goal.

47. 39'

    Arsenal are in complete control of this game. Arsene Wenger's only regret will be that his team are only 1-0 up.

48. 40'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Make that 2-0 up!</b> Robin Van Persie is in acres of space, he gets to the byline and squares for Walcott, who fires his shot into the roof of the net from six yards out.

49. 41'

    Wayne Bridge at fault, yet again! He played Van Persie onside before allowing Walcott to run across him and beat him to the finish. West Ham may well be wasting £90,000 a week on the City man...

50. 42'

    A chance for West Ham! Sears with a fantastic cross for Cole, who makes a mess of his header and is fortunate to earn a corner. A terrible miss.

51. 43'

    James Tomkins rises to meet the corner, but Arsenal are eventually able to clear.

52. 44'

    The Arsenal fans are singing "You're getting sacked in an hour", I imagine Avram Grant has had better days...

53. 45'

    <b>TWO MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

54. 45'

    Johann Djourou almost makes it three! He makes a rampaging run through, attempts to clip his shot over Green, who saves well. He's taken a knock though, and is slow getting to his feet.

55. 45'

    Nasri's corner is poor and the recovered Green can gather.

56. 45'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> West Ham look down and out. Arsenal are in complete control and the Hammers look ripe for relegation. Avram Grant is going out with a whimper...

57. 45'

    Arsenal couldn't have wished for a more straight-forward 45 minutes. They are playing a West Ham team that looks inept and they could get a hat full now.

58. 45'

    What would Martin O'Neill make of this? With all due respect to West Ham, why would a manager of O'Neill's reputation want to step into this situation?

59. 45'

    Avram Grant has 45 minutes left as West Ham manager, can he create a happy ending to his Upton Park tale?

60. 45'

    A jaw-dropping stat from Opta Joe. Overall, Avram Grant has a higher Premier League win percentage than Martin O'Neill.

61. 45'

    The teams are out for second half...

62. 45'

    <b>SECOND HALF</b> West Ham with the restart.

63. 46'

    Arsenal are straight on the offensive, Fabregas dragging a low shot wide from 30 yards.

64. 46'

    West Ham respond with a similar shot from Zavon Hines, which Szczesny gathers.

65. 47'

    Another shot, this time Van Persie stings Green's palms to earn a corner after some twisting and turning.

66. 47'

    Theo Walcott is the latest to chance his arm, his left-footed shot is sliced yards wide.

67. 48'

    Walcott earns another corner, Bridge gets close enough to block the cross...

68. 49'

    Some very patient build up from Arsenal after the initial corner is cleared. Clichy eventual hoofs his cross all the way across the box and out of play.

69. 50'

    The latest Arsenal shot is a rocket from Van Persie which clears the crossbar. It is so easy for Arsenal.

70. 51'

    A chance for West Ham. Spector is brought down by Koscielny within shooting distance...

71. 52'

    The shot is not far away and takes a clip off the wall for a corner...

72. 52'

    Arsenal clear the first cross and West Ham attempt to come again. Sears tries to release Cole, but the pass runs through to Szczesny.

73. 54'

    Arsenal with another shot on goal and it's Walcott again, his left-footed drive is straight at Green.

74. 55'

    Nasri tries to get in on the action, he walks into the box unchallenged, when he is eventually tackled the balls hits his arm and it's a free kick.

75. 56'

    Julian Faubert tries to find Carlton Cole with a pass down the right channel, it's over hit and Koscielny shepherds it out.

76. 57'

    Arsenal have had 80% of possession. That stat says it all...

77. 58'

    Boa Morte clatters Jack Wilshere, free kick Arsenal in Van Persie territory...

78. 59'

    Van Persie leathers his shot at Matthew Upson's backside, corner.

79. 59'

    Nasri and Fabregas wastes the short corner and Luis Boa Morte intercepts.

80. 60'

    Samir Nasri thinks he's in after Van Persie's pass, but the linesman's flag is raised.

81. 61'

    Almost a goal for West Ham in bizarre circumstances, Freddy Sears mishits a cross, with Szczesny is forced to tip wide!

82. 62'

    Again Szczesny is scrambling, after the initial corner is cleared, a deflected delivery bounces towards the keeper and Carlton Cole, with the young Pole just managing to gather.

83. 63'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Pablo Barrera on for Freddie Sears</b>

84. 64'

    Zavon Hines finds some space in the Arsenal box, but everytime he tries to shoot he is blocked. It just isn't West Ham's day.

85. 65'

    West Ham have launched a mini fightback in the last few minutes. They're not creating chances, but Arsenal are having less. Although, Fabregas has just won a corner...

86. 67'

    Rob Green comes and punches clear with authority.

87. 68'

    More slick passing from Arsenal, Nasri eventually slipping past Bridge before looking for Walcott with a low cross. Stretching, he can only guide his effort wide.

88. 69'

    Arsenal have completely bossed the match, in particular the midfield. Wilshere, Song and Fabregas have on another level to West Ham.

89. 70'

    More bad news for West Ham, Carlton is down after twisting his ankle.

90. 71'

    He's back on his feet, but walking gingerly.

91. 72'

    Cole seems to have recovered, a crumb of comfort for West Ham.

92. 73'

    The match has been incredibly flat in the second half. Arsenal sucked all the life out of West Ham with their first half display.

93. 74'

    Avram Grant is still barking out orders from the touchline, but he must be wondering whether there is any point?

94. 75'

    <b>PENALTY!</b> Wayne Bridge hacks down Walcott as he sprints past him, clear spot kick.

95. 76'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL</b> <b>Robin Van Persie converts the penalty!</b> Wayne Bridge has had a shocking debut.

96. 77'

    A free kick to West Ham just inside the Arsenal half...

97. 78'

    The delivery is poor and Arsenal clear. West Ham have been well beaten and you have to feel for their fans.

98. 79'

    Another West Ham free kick, Clichy concedes the foul.

99. 80'

    Another cross, another clearance. West Ham must be pleading for the final whistle.

100. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Denilson on for Cesc Fabregas</b>

101. 82'

     Emmanuel Eboue charges forward from full back and after playing a one-two with Fabregas he advances into the box. He turns inside neatly, but is eventually blocked off. Surely it would be too much to bear for Hammers fans if Eboue scored?

102. 83'

     Arsenal are keeping the ball very well. Their passing is superb at times.

103. 85'

     Arsenal have just maintained possession for a ridiculous amount of time. It all ends in rather disappointing fashion as Wilshere loses the ball.

104. 86'

     Nasri dips inside the challenge of Kovac before shooting from just inside the box, his shot is deflected wide.

105. 87'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Keiran Gibbs and Andrei Arshavin on for Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri</b>

106. 88'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Frank Nouble on for Wayne Bridge</b>

107. 88'

     The corner is taken short and played to Wilshere on the edge of the box, his drive is tipped wide by Rob Green.

108. 89'

     Again the corner is taken short, a deep cross tries to find Djourou, but the Swiss defender is crowded out.

109. 90'

     <b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

110. 91'

     There is an eerie silence at Upton Park, Avram Grant's final moments are going to be forgettable ones.

111. 92'

     Grant looks powerless on the touchline. Unfortunately for him, his team have shown exactly why they are bottom of the league today.

112. 93'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> Arsenal coast to an easy 3-0 victory thanks to a brace from Robin Van Persie and a strike from Theo Walcott. If it is to be the end of Grant's West Ham tenure, he has gone out with a whimper.

113. 93'

     Arsenal are now two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. They were impressive tonight, although they barely needed to get out of second gear.

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