UNOFFICIAL FORUM FOR THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham United secured an impressive 1-0 victory over Panathinaikos as Avram Grant’s side continued their preparations for the new Premier League season.

Summer signing Thomas Hitzlsperger scored the goal on 42 minutes, as the former Aston Villa man continued his impressive start since joining the Upton Park outfit.

The match also saw Scott Parker make his first appearance of pre-season, starting in three-man midfield alongside Hitzlsperger and Mark Noble, as the Hammers controlled the proceedings from the offset.

Nonetheless, it was Marek Stech who was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the opening half, as the young West Ham keeping had to be fully-alert on what was a slippery surface, and saved well after Gabriel let fly from 20 yards.

But the opener went the way of the visitors, three minutes before half-time. Good work from defender James Tomkins on the edge of the Pananthaikos penalty saw the academy graduate fouled, and Hitzlsperger duly obliged, firing the free-kick low into the back of the net.

Grant made four changes during the interval, as he looked to freshen-up his charges ahead of the second half.

Substitute Dyer, deployed as at fullback after Tomkins moved inside following Gabbidon’s removal, was performing well, and bombing forward whenever possible.

Once again the home side tested the Hammers, with Kurucz forced into making a save after Ninis managed to squeeze a shot through a crowded penalty area.

And the 20-year-old Albanian continued to look lively, and troubled the West Ham ‘keeper again with just ten minutes remaining on the clock. The attacking midfielder picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, before storming into the box, but fortunately for the Hammers, Kurucz was quick off his line to smother his advances.

West Ham United: Stech (Kurucz 46), Tomkins, Da Costa, Gabbidon (Kovac 46), Ilunga, Parker (Dyer 46), Hitzlsperger (Diamanti 46), Noble, Faubert, Cole, Boa Morte.