VS
Hello, and welcome to Upton Park for the first game of the Premier League season, West Ham VS Middlesborough. The Hammers will be looking for a good start as they push for the top ten, and Middlesborough have ambitions of their own as they look to challenge for a UEFA Cup spot. Without further ado then, it's kick-off time! Commentators are Andy Gray and Clive Tydlesley.
Middlesborough Starting 11:
Schwarzer
Young
Wheater
Huth
Pogatetz
Tuncay
Boateng
Arca
Downing
Alves
Mido
Bench:
O' Neil
Rochemback
Riggott
Cattermole
Aliadiere
West Ham Starting 11:
Green
Neill
Ferdinand
Upson
McCartney
Solano
Noble
Parker
Ljungberg
Ashton
Bellamy
KICK-OFF
2' An Ashton shot is well saved by Schwarzer. Corner.
3' GOAL! Bellamy rifles in the low corner. 1-0 West Ham.
4' Mido hits the bar with a fine header.
15' Alves denied 1-on-1 by a terrific stop from Green.
16' An amazing run and shot from Alves is again denied by a sharp looking Green. Corner
19' Rob Green saves from Mido before a Downing effort goes over. Green is looking impressive so far.
21' Foul by Boateng on the edge of the area. Hammers free kick.
23' GOAL! Downing crosses in for Alves to header in from 14 yards. Terrific stuff from the Brazilian hitman. 1-1.
25' Solano is denied by a good save from Schwarzer. Corner.
29' Mido heads over from a Tuncay cross.
31' Alves shot hits Upson. Corner.
31' Mido heads narrowly over.
45+1' GOAL! Ashton passes to the back post for an easy finish for Bellamy. 2-1 West Ham.
45+4' Arca is booked for a bad tackle. Free Kick.
45+5' GOAL! Middlesborough are furious as Solano scores even though only two minutes of stoppage time were added. 3-1 West Ham.
HALF TIME
Middlesborough will be disappointed being 3-1 down despite matching up with the Hammers. The Solano was also very contreversial.
SECOND HALF
60' Little to report so far in a dull half.
64' Young tackles Ljungberg and forces a corner.
67' Mido is coming off to be replaced by Aliadiere. Some much needed pace to the frontline.
68' Ferdinand is booked for a awful challenge on Aliadiere. He picked up a slight knock but should continue.
70' A terrific stop from Schwarzer forces a corner.
72' GOAL! Bellamy scores his hat-trick and effectively seals a Hammers win.
85' Middlesborough force a corner.
86' A tame Arca shot is saved easily by Green.
87' West Ham bring on Faubert for Solano.
FULL TIME
West Ham 4 - Middlesborough 1
Goals:
03' Bellamy
24' Alves
45' Bellamy
45+4' Solano
73' Bellamy