Randolph saves goals - and puppies

Thanks to my pal Lisa for sending in this picture of Darren Randolph found on the Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) website. Darren is pictured with cute puppy Tia, a rescue dog that needs a home, and he is encouraging people to adopt a dog. 

West Ham seem to be a very dog-friendly club these days as Slaven Bilic told the Daily Telegraph that choosing West Ham was a bit like choosing a dog: “When you are buying a dog you find like this – 10 reasons not to buy it. Because you can’t go out more, if you are travelling it’s a problem, he’s going to pee there and there until he learns. He’s going to bite your cat, he’s going to leave your place smelly. But there is one reason that’s good – he loves you. Every time you come home it’s like it’s the first time he’s seen you." 

And of course West Ham gave a home to a stray canine called Martin 'Mad Dog' Allen back in the 1990s…

Jelavic goes for £4m

A very good bit of business to get £4million from Chinese second division club Beijing Renhe for Nikica Jelavic. That's £1m more than we paid for him! Lord Sugar would be quite pleased with Karren Brady for that. Jelavic's pace looked to have gone when he appeared in his early games as a sub, but he showed he could still finish with a great goal against Wolves and a poacher's effort against Newcastle. He wasn't going to get many games with Emenike at the club so a good deal all round. Jelavic is pictured carrying a bunch of flowers as he is welcomed to China - though can't confirm if these were sent by my fellow season ticket holder Matt, who predicted Jelavic would never score for the Hammers.

Noble draw as West Ham fight back from two-down

Norwich City 2 West Ham 2

After going two goals down and playing 120 minutes against Liverpool on Tuesday (with Kouyate, Tomkins and O'Brien crocked in that encounter) this looks a decent point, albeit against a struggling side. Credit to sub Victor Moses for his run from the half way line and then refusing to give up after being tackled for the first goal, with Payet stroking home the rebound after Moses's shot was blocked. Luckily for us Norwich just can't defend a lead and panicked after it went to 2-1. Another sub Andy Carroll did well to find Payet for the second. He was given far too much space to find Noble, but it was a lovely first time shot from the edge of the box for Nobes' equaliser. Noble deserve a goal because he's been playing really well of late.

Antonio lost the ball for Norwich's first goal, but it was a great finish from the edge of the box from Brady. Norwich's second had a trace of bad luck in the way the ball deflected to Hoolahan. At the end it could have gone either way with Norwich poking wide a good chance and Emenike just falling to get a decent connection with an inviting cross. Disappointed not to get three points at the end, but probably a fair result in the end. And in case you haven't noticed West Ham are now on 40 points — we're safe!

West Ham references in Doctor Who

My book Whovian Dad: A Doctor Who Fan's Travels Through Time and Space is now out as a Kindle Single and there is a West Ham link. The Hammers are one of only two clubs ever to be mentioned in Doctor Who. In the story Planet of the Ood there’s an incredible moment. David Tennant's Doctor asks Donna where she learned to whistle like that and she answers “Up West Ham!”, which at the time had me jumping up in delight. 

The only other mention of a team that I’ve been able to find is when Charlton get a namecheck in the 1988 Sylvester McCoy story Silver Nemesis. Sophie Aldred's Ace is reading the Daily Mirror while listening to Courtney Pine playing jazz and remarks, “Charlton picked up three points.” She also mentions having a Charlton badge in The Happiness Patrol. West Ham are also the only team mentioned in Harry Potter. Not a lot of people know that.

We've got Payet (signed up)

Great news that Dimitri Payet has signed an improved five-year contract, particularly with a mystery Chinese club, Man City and Chelsea reported to be sniffing around. Yes, West Ham have had to up his wages, but if any one player is going to fill the Olympic Stadium it's Payet. He's very much our talisman and it's a big signal to keep him for next season and hopefully the rest of his career. David Sullivan says he's the best player he's ever signed. Our song was obviously crucial in his decision. Unless our rival fans can find a better Billy Ray Cyrus tune, I think we've nailed him.

Slaven seems to understand

Slaven Bilic's comments after the Liverpool match proved he knows exactly what West Ham fans want. Bilic said: "It is a special night. Yes, tomorrow is a new day and we have to concentrate on Norwich tomorrow but tonight there is no harm at all in saying this is a special night for our club. I'm so proud and happy for my players and proud of everyone that has any connection with the club because it is a great night for West Ham. OK, it is only for the last 16 but it was a late night kick-off, it was against Liverpool, it's our last season at Upton Park, it's over 120 minutes and we scored with a great header in the last second of the game despite having injuries. We overcame all of that so that is why this game will go down as one of the greatest nights and games in West Ham's history."

Yes, he exaggerated a little by claiming that it was one of the greatest nights in West Ham's history. But he spoke of emotion, pride, heart and special nights. In many ways the winning goal was straight from the Big Sam textbook; a set-piece and a thumping header. But whereas Allardyce would have spoken pragmatically about grinding out a result, Bilic appears to get what being a fan is all about and realises that a win under the lights is always something special. He appears to understand the romance of football.

Ogbonna wins a classic for the Irons

KUMB's take on the result…

West Ham 2 Liverpool 1 (FA Cup)

What a game. Had to miss this one as celebrating my daughter’s 15^th birthday in Byron (strangely she turned down Ken’s Café) but caught the latter stages on the radio.

It’s a cracking start to the match with a stronger Liverpool line-up starting well. Coutinho hits the woodwork for the Scousers and Benteke is blocked by Randolph. Goal machine Joey O’Brien has a deflected shot against the post for the Irons. Payet then strikes the post with another superb free kick with Mignolet making a sharp save to deny Kouyate’s header from the rebound.

West Ham take the lead just before the break as Payet finds Valencia and Enner’s fine cross sits up for Antonio to score with a Van Basten-esque controlled volley. Great effort.

It’s a superb atmosphere at the Boleyn as the radio commentator gets involved in a not very PC metaphor of, “the old girl bats her eyelids and shows she can still do it.”

But it goes wrong early in the second half as West Ham’s wall jumps over the ball and Coutinho scores with a low free kick. Randolph looks slow to react too.

It’s more end-to-end to stuff after that as Sturridge and Origi come on for Liverpool and Collins and  Carroll for West Ham. Winston Reid pulls a hamstring and late in the game the curse of WHU right-backs strikes Joey O’Brien who limps off to be replaced by Moses.

THE QUALITY OF MERSEY IS STRAINED

Text reports reach me from Upton Park claiming that Matt is struggling to stay positive. As if. Antonio has a lobbed effort tipped over and West Ham should be awarded a penalty when Valencia is pulled back by Ilori as he goes for Antonio’s cross. Randolph has to save Benteke’s free kick and then Ibe’s long-range effort

So it’s into extra time with Antonio as an emergency right-back and Kouyate off after being knocked out in a worrying clash of heads. Noble has a decent effort saved by Mignolet and the hapless Benteke misses with a volley and then loses a one-on-one duel with Randolph. Sturridge shoots just over the top as the Scousers finish strongly.

It looks certain to go to penalties until the last minute of extra time when Lucas gives away a silly free kick with a push on Valencia. Payet curls in a beautiful cross and Ogbonna rises brilliantly to thump home Carroll-esque header. Upton Park erupts and there’s even a chant of, “Que sera sera whatever will be will be we’re going to Wembley.” Matt texts, “Oggy Oggy Oggy, oi oi oi!” Some unlikely heroes tonight in Oggy, O’Brien, Antonio and Randolph.

If this is the final cup-tie at the Boleyn then it's a fitting finale. So that’s three wins in a season over Liverpool and an aggregate score of 7-1. No room for complacency at Blackburn, but get a result there (and a fit right-back) and we’ll start to believe this might be our year.