This is a tale of two Alans.
Alan starts his career at WH and ends it at C, where he eventually becomes manager - remaining for 15 years. During that time C play at the UP ground, later to become the ground of WH. In the early stages of Alan's career as manager he signs Alan as a player. Later on Alan follows in Alan's footsteps and becomes a manager, eventually ending up at WH. Alan leaves C, and when, some months later, Alan is sacked by WH Alan is offered that job - returning where he began. When the C job becomes available, who steps in but Alan - also returning to his former club. As we enter the scene both have been in their current jobs for a couple of months, struggled, and now have to play against each other in a dramatic showdown...
Of course it all just became a football game. And an entertaining one at that - especially for Charlton fans, of course, but also for the neutral observer. I have to confess to not have followed Charlton very carefully this season, the most outstanding memory of them being when my own dear boys destroyed them 5-1, but watching them today surprised me - their performance seemed to belie their league position. Relegation? This team? They played as a close-knit team, with passion and imagination and finished off their goals beautifully. West Ham, conversely, played like a group of people who have barely met before. They were feeble and disorganised and looked very much like the work in progress which, considering how many new players they have, they arguably are. A second half increase in tempo and aggression yielded some more chances than the dismal first half but neither goal nor result.
Charlton, dominating possession from start, immediately had the first chance. West Ham's responses and attempts at attempts inevitable failed on feeble passing and a lack of positioning which Charlton had in abundance. On 23 minutes a cross from Marcus Bent was converted into a goal by a well-taken shot by Ambrose, who, due to the fact that the defenders were focusing on Darren Bent, was unmarked. The West Ham defence was again poorly positioned as a great run on an empty left flank by Jerome Thomas, at the end of which he outwitted Calum Davenport, yielded a lovely goal on the half-hour mark. A shot by Nigel Quashie was saved by Carson and a feeble kick by Tevez could not make it past the Charlton defence. In the middle, cameroonian Alexandre Song had a very good game, appearing to be everywhere at once and winning balls elegantly. The third goal of the first half came from an intelligent cross from Hasselbaink (who had come on for the injured Marcus Bent) which Darren Bent placed in the back of the net.
The second half saw Carson becoming the busier goalkeeper, but looked comfortable under pressure. A neatly taken free kick by Carlos Tevez forced a just as neat save from Carson and minutes later a header from Davenport was also blocked. A very similar situation arose with 10 minutes remaining; a Tevez corner was headed on target by Davenport but saved by Carson. Charlton immediately snatched the ball and cut through to the other side where West Ham had not reassembled its defence. Ambrose crossed to Thomas and the midfielder elegantly put the ball past defence and goalkeeper.
Oh, and Gollum was there - having lost the ring he has now become a football club owner. Poor Eggert, right now owning West Ham looks about as much fun as a trip to Mordor.
Charlton
Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Thatcher, Ambrose, Holland, Song Billong (Faye 85), Thomas, Marcus Bent (Hasselbaink 35), Darren Bent (Zheng 82).
Subs Not Used: Randolph, Rommedahl.
Booked: El Karkouri, Song Billong, Diawara.
Goals: Ambrose 24, Thomas 34, Darren Bent 41, Thomas 80.
West Ham
Green, Dailly, Ferdinand, Davenport, Konchesky, Benayoun, Mullins (Newton 72), Quashie, Etherington (Harewood 46), Tevez, Cole (Blanco 59).
Subs Not Used: Walker, Pantsil.
Booked: Konchesky, Quashie.
Attendance: 27,111
Referee: R Styles
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