By Longsider
March 3 2004

We once again bring you a couple of reports of the game against West Ham through the eyes of the media. Today we have reports from the Guardian, Daily Telegraph and the Mirror. JENSEN PULLS OUT STOPS FOR BURNLEY
The Guardian

West Ham were again left frustrated at their inability to finish off lesser opponents but whether this proves to be a valuable point or a draw too far will become clear only at the season's end in May.
Burnley produced a performance every inch a reflection of their dogged manager Stan Ternent, who professed himself happy with the result in this, his 300th game in charge.

Defeat would have been harsh on Burnley after they were pegged back by David Connolly's 36th-minute equaliser, a penalty stroked home in the wake of Mark McGregor hauling back Bobby Zamora.

Yet, had it not been for an outstanding display from Brian Jensen in the Burnley goal, West Ham would have claimed a valuable win. As it was, a 14th draw of the campaign was good enough to see the London club move up to fifth in the table.

"It was a tough game but we're disappointed we didn't come away with the win," admitted Alan Pardew, the Hammers' manager, whose side were fortunate to escape late on when Hayden Mullins inexplicably pushed Burnley's David May in the box under the nose of Phil Dowd.

Pardew paid credit to Ternent's side, adding: "Burnley knocked us back with their goal and it's disappointing as we'd had enough chances to take the lead before then.

"We could have played a little bit better and we should have driven on for the win but Burnley's work-rate restricted us. It's never an easy place to come and win and we came up against a resilient side."

Burnley took the lead just after the half-hour thanks to a first goal of the season from Graham Branch, who fired into the roof of the net after being released by the influential Robbie Blake.

Ternent was happy with his team's performance and said: "We worked very hard and I'm pleased with the result. We took the lead with a well worked goal and it gave us something to build on.

"But make no mistake, West Ham are a very good side and we were a bit thin on the ground, so I'm delighted to come away with a point; it's a very useful one.

"We had a real good go and under the circumstances I'm happy with the result, which I'd have taken before the start."



INSPIRED JENSEN
Daily Telegraph

Brian Jensen, the Burnley goalkeeper, produced a stunning performance to restrict resurgent West Ham to just a point at Turf Moor last night.

Alan Pardew's team have picked up the promotion pace in recent weeks after struggling to find their feet in the First Division this season. However, the visitors were denied the chance to take another three points by a Danish goalkeeper in inspired form.

West Ham's well-documented financial woes following relegation from the Premiership last season may have cost the club many star names, but the Hammers remain in contention for a swift return to the top flight.

Certainly, West Ham's problems pale into insignificance when compared to Burnley's daily worries. Due to the alarming player shortage, manager Stan Ternent was forced to name three apprentices on the bench in order to complete the teamsheet.

Having survived early West Ham pressure, Ternent's team opened the scoring against the run of play after 30 minutes when captain Graham Branch aimed a left-foot strike past goalkeeper Stephen Bywater at the far post following Robbie Blake's incisive throughball.

However, the visitors levelled six minutes later when David Connolly made up for three earlier misses by scoring from the penalty spot following a Mark McGregor foul on Bobby Zamora.

Although Jensen was again called into action to tip over Jon Harley's 70th-minute free kick, it was the home side who carried the greater threat in the second half.

However, Jensen again came to his team's rescue 12 minutes from time when he dived full stretch to push Nigel Reo-Coker's long-range effort behind.



TURF AT TOP FOR PARDEW
The Mirror

ALAN PARDEW'S promotion bubble was left a little deflated by battling Burnley at Turf Moor.

West Ham will not have a tougher test in their bid for an instant return to the Premiership and were happy their unbeaten away run was extended - even if it meant two lost points.

Stan Ternent's men were down to their last 13 fit pros, but they dug into their reserves of guts and showed no little skill.

Pardew said: "Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition. It was a tough game.

"We were disappointed with ourselves, we feel we could have played a bit better. Maybe if we had taken the lead we would have gone on and won it."

The pace and options of West Ham's early attacks threatened to blow away Burnley, but they had to show more than their flashy side to take a point.

David Connolly tried a chip after a strong, surging run from Marlon Harewood but his effort was reached by keeper Brian Jensen.

Connolly went close again when he was given the ball by Mo Camara, only for his low shot to bring out a good reaction save from Jensen.

Burnley also had their moments going forward with the impressive Robbie Blake ending a mazy run with a shot that Stephen Bywater saved at his near post.

Glen Little was also outstanding in midfield but Burnley escaped when Connolly beat their offside trap, Jensen parried and David May cleared before Harewood could pounce.

The Clarets took the lead with a delightful goal on the half-hour, crafted by Blake's run and pass and completed by Graham Branch's crisp shot.

However the Hammers were thrown a lifeline when a linesman ruled Mark McGregor held back Bobby Zamora in the box and Connolly coolly slotted in the penalty. The action was open in the second half too, with Harewood's mistake setting Little free to give Luke Chadwick a shot that deflected just wide.

But the Hammers had the extra threat going forward and Nigel Reo-Coker tested Jensen before Zamora popped a header over the bar.

Home sub Dean West and Matthew Etherington had a running battle that saw both booked for fouling each other - and sparked a melee involving over a dozen players.

Branch, Blake and John Harley were cautioned after the inquest by referee Phil Dowd.

May might have had a penalty when Christian Dailly pushed him over going for a header. "It was only one hand," cracked Ternent.

And talented Blake went nearest to a winner with an injury-time shot that went inches wide, but both teams deserved something from a stirring game.

Ternent, in his 300th game in charge, said: "The lads did me proud - we were down to the bare bones."

BURNLEY: Jensen, Roche (West 55), May, McGregor, Camara, Chadwick (A Moore 87), Grant, Little, Branch, Blake, I Moore.

WEST HAM: Bywater, Mullins, Dailly, Repka, Harley, Harewood (McAnuff 75), Carrick, Reo-Coker, Etherington (Nowland 90), Connolly (Deane 81), Zamora.