W/Ham Fans Boo Team Despite Scrappy Win

A win which edged West Ham closer to Barclays Premier League safety was greeted by boos as Sam Allardyce’s relationship with the Upton Park supporters took another turn for the worse.

The home crowd were upset following their team’s failure to fully capitalise on a man advantage for nearly three-quarters of the game after Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor had been controversially sent off.

McGregor spent the night in hospital receiving treatment for suspected kidney damage suffered in the collision with Mohamed Diame which resulted in his dismissal and a penalty for West Ham, converted by Mark Noble.

Only an own goal by James Chester denied Hull a share of the spoils after Tom Huddlestone’s free-kick had taken a hefty deflection off team-mate Nikica Jelavic to make it 1-1 early in the second half.

As the home crowd voiced their displeasure at the end, Allardyce cupped a hand to his ear. For him, the three points were all that counted, not the manner in which they came.

He said: ‘I did it because I was hearing booing and I couldn’t quite believe it. I’ve never been to a place where I won and got booed. I started at 16, got into the first team at 18 and I’m 59 now and I have never been in place where we have won and got booed.

‘At half-time the players were talking more about fans booing them than the game. Fans affect players. We don’t need them on the players’ backs when we are coming off three defeats. They have to stay and help them win.

‘We’ve played 31 games and have 34 points. We’ve taken ourselves above Hull now. When we look at the league table, tonight’s performance hardly matters.

‘It’s just about the three points and the victory. Nothing can be taken for granted in this game. You can’t assume you’ll win 3-0 if you’re playing against 10 men.’

‘I’ve not experienced that before in the time I’ve been in the game.

Hull counterpart Steve Bruce joked about the full-time reception – ‘Sam’s big and ugly enough to handle it.’

West Ham captain Kevin Nolan was equally bemused by the crowd’s protests.

He said: ‘Sam Allardyce had Bolton in the top 10, he got us to the top six. When you give him the chance, he builds a strong team. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He has taken a lot of flak here and it is very surprising, but people have their opinions and you take it on the chin.’

While Allardyce struggles to win over West Ham’s fans, Steve Bruce has no such worries at Hull. He is the fans’ darling for leading the side to the brink of a first major cup final and a second season of top-flight football — one more win should do it.

Bruce was delighted at his team’s display but dismayed about the penalty award. Noble’s touch had deserted him as he raced into the box and the loose ball ricocheted first off Chester, then Huddlestone, before clipping the hand of the onrushing Mohamed Dime. Out flew McGregor, taking out Diame, who had lifted the ball towards goal. Manuel Figueroa was on hand to clear it off the line.

Referee Mike Dean consulted an assistant as players from both sides surrounded him, then produced a red card for the stricken McGregor, who limped to the tunnel clutching a hip. ‘I’ve paid enough this year already in fines,’ said Bruce. ‘If the referee had given the penalty straight away, I could understand. But it must have been three minutes before he did.

‘We had someone on the line to clear the ball, so it’s not denying a goalscoring opportunity. Is it not sufficient to use common sense and keep 11 men on the pitch? He’s missed a blatant handball, too.’