Football: Rufus roughs up the Hammers for old boy Curbs

CHARLTON manager Alan Curbishley promised to get lippy in order to help Richard Rufus earn a first England call-up following the defender's inspirational display.

West Ham had five players on the pitch yesterday who potentially could be called up for England's game against Portugal, but it was without doubt Rufus who enhanced his claims in front of Sven Goran Eriksson.

Comparing the attention that is traditionally thrust upon West Ham's starlets, Curbishley admitted: "We have brought our kids through more slowly and perhaps it is about time we started to talk a little bit more about them, especially about Rufus.

"Before he was injured last season there was talk about him getting a call-up. I don't know if he is going to this time.

"Perhaps we don't shout loud enough. Perhaps it is something we have got to do. I don't think there is a better out-and-out defender playing in the Premiership."

Curbishley's view was endorsed by West Ham boss Glenn Roeder, who said: "People used to think his distribution lacked a bit, but as he has got older that has improved.

"But first and foremost he is a defender, he gets close, he commands balls in the air, and he made it very difficult for Freddie Kanoute and Jermain Defoe all afternoon."

This was a homecoming to be celebrated, not just for former West Ham player Curbishley but also for Rufus's partner in defence Jon Fortune, who went to school right beside the ground.

Yet their local knowledge counted for nothing as both the bus driver and then the police ignored their advice on how best to get to the ground.

Once on the pitch, though, Charlton rarely lacked direction. The Addicks gained a second away win of the season after being inspired by the Spurs' side that beat them at home in midweek.

"I don't think I have ever seen a team work as hard against us as Spurs did," said Curbishley.

"We spoke yesterday and said if we got our nose in front, then let's see if West Ham could break us down."

West Ham manifestly couldn't do that.

Shambolic is the only word to describe the West Ham defence in the build-up to Charlton's first goal which, embarrassingly for the home side, came after just three minutes.

Collectively they were asleep for a move that spawned from a Luke Young throw-in.

Rufus found himself a free man in the box and could not have believed the time and space he was allowed before setting up Claus Jensen.

The Dane ran in unmarked to thump an angled shot past David James.

With Eriksson in the stands, this was not a good day for him to concede such an early goal.

As Charlton's players ran back to their own half, their fans joyous at such an unexpected gift, the West Ham defenders turned around in search of someone to blame. They only had to look down at themselves to establish the culprit.

Four goals conceded at Newcastle, two at home to Arsenal, and now this instant gift to Charlton.

Having made such a stuttering start to last season, so bad it put Glenn Roeder's job in jeopardy, West Ham are showing disturbing signs of repeating the trend.

Just a point from three games tells you there are problems, problems that are largely defensive.

Roeder said: "It was very disappointing. The two goals we conceded have been our undoing. We all know we have got to do better at defensive set plays, we are not the biggest team, having said that both balls dropped into the box and we didn't react quickly enough to clear up.

"It gave us a mountain to climb."

Inexcusably, the lesson was not learned after the first goal. Chris Bart-Williams was allowed an unearned shot on goal after James had punched a clearance straight to him.

Only Nigel Winterburn, who headed the ball off the line, prevented Charlton from doubling their lead.

Even worse came a minute before half-time, when a goalmouth scramble ensued in which Thomas Repka only half cleared a shot from the line.

Once more a Charlton defender stormed unnoticed into the box. This time it was Fortune, who struck the ball through West Ham's bedraggled defence and past James.

"When it popped down to him I fancied him to at least hit the target as he started out as a centre-forward and has played up front for us," Curbishley said.

You couldn't really blame the home fans for booing the performance, even if the game was not past halfway.

They repeated the trick at the end of 90 minutes.

While West Ham's defenders were toiling, Rufus led the way for Charlton. Having supplied the first goal, he continued to look keen to attack but more importantly was unpassable in defence.

Unlike his adversaries, he made sure he was in the right place at the right time, ensuring a fruitless afternoon for Defoe and Kanoute.

Michael Carrick, together with central partner Edouard Cisse, struggled to keep a tight grip on midfield. It was no surprise that the well-regarded Cisse was replaced in the second half by Steve Lomas, on his latest return from injury.

Joe Cole attempted to dribble and wriggle his way into Eriksson's thinking but for all his energy and enthusiasm there was not enough end product.

There was one delightful moment though, in the 53rd minute, when he nutmeged himself and his marker before turning to deliver a stinging shot from the edge of the box that went just over.

All in all, you thought of Bologna, where Paulo Di Canio continues to recuperate. He is due back sometime this week and he remains badly needed at Upton Park to knit together all the attacking intent.

West Ham's players began the season aiming for Europe, having gone so close last time. They have some way to go.

Conversely, high expectations rarely surround Charlton. That could be their greatest strength.

For it means, like yesterday, that they tend not to disappoint.MAN OF THE MATCH RICHARD RUFUS

Unpassable in defence and lively in attack.

WEST HAM: James 6, Schemmel 6, Repka 5, Winterburn 6, Dailly 5, Carrick 6, Cisse 5 (Lomas 6), Sinclair 6, Cole 6, Defoe 6, Kanoute 6.

CHARLTON: Kiely 6, Kishishev 6, Powell 6, RUFUS 8, Euell 7, Jensen 7, Robinson 6, Svensson 7, Young 6, Bart-Williams 7, Fortune 7.

MANAGERS: Roeder 5; Curbishley 8.

REFEREE: J Winter 7.

Copyright 2002 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.