West Ham Add To Birmingham Woes
Two goals from Marlon Harewood helped West Ham notch a club record-equalling seventh straight win as they triumphed 3-0 to add to Birmingham’s relegation worries.
Dean Aston added the third to wrap up an easy win against a Blues side who did not seriously test the Hammers keeper Shaka Hislop.
And as if that wasn’t enough, Birmingham midfielder Nicky Butt left the hotel and went home after being overlooked for the match.
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce picked his son Alex - normally a defender - in midfield ahead of Butt.
“I will be doing my own enquiries into it and will deal with the matter over the next 48 hours in our own internal way,” said Bruce.
Bruce added: “I will have discussions with him. He’s obviously disappointed.”
“I will deal with it in a way I see fit. It is a bit difficult now with emotions running the way they are because I’ve just seen my team get stuffed!”
West Ham’s victory sees them move up to sixth in the Premiership, but leaves Birmingham six points adrift of safety and deep in trouble.
Alan Pardew the West Ham boss said: “A number of sides have got to our position and fallen away, but we can’t afford to do that.”
“These players are hungry and young so we’ve got to keep pushing ourselves.”
“This team has good spirit and if I can keep it together for the next few years we can challenge the big boys. We’re making small steps towards that.”
