If Avram Grant wanted some fight in his absence from the touchline, he got it – but it was the sight of his goalkeeper scrapping with his midfielder as West Ham endured a familiar humiliating afternoon.Mark Noble and Robert Green had to be pulled apart by their captain, Matthew Upson, after Bolton's opening goal in a half in which the home side, who have now beaten West Ham in eight successive matches, utterly humiliated their opponents.They were tormented by Daniel Sturridge, who scored twice, and but for a fine tackle from James Tomkins and a misplaced shot when clear on goal the striker might have had four. Sturridge, who is ineligible for next Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Stoke, began by turning Manuel Da Costa beautifully, took one glance up, before driving home the opening goal into the top corner of Green's net .His second, seven minutes after the interval, was in the same class and would have made Carlo Ancelotti wonder whether he could have afforded to let him leave Stamford Bridge on loan. On the edge of the area, patrolled by Scott Parker, he again chose his spot and this time it was the low, left-hand corner of Green's net that felt the bulge of the ball.West Ham, who had not lost their previous four away games, were completely unable to come to terms with either Sturridge, Kevin Davies or Martin Petrov. As he conducted half-time changes that centred on the removal of Upson, Grant may have asked how Lee Chung-yong, one of the smallest players on the pitch, was allowed a free header that resulted in Bolton's second.West Ham were better after the restart but they had been so actively incompetent in terms of surrendering possession that they could scarcely have been worse. Demba Ba did strike Jussi Jaaskelainen's post and Petrov did clear off the line, but by then West Ham were three down and very much out.Premier LeagueBolton WanderersWest Ham UnitedTim Richguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Comments