Controversial goal gives Hammers victory
Sunday, 23 October 2005 18:03A moment of class finishing from Teddy Sheringham and a controversial decision by the assistant referee saw West Ham beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Upton Park.
Sheringham came off the bench to net with his first touch after 65 minutes before the assistant on the far side ruled Chris Riggott had deflected the ball over the line - despite replays showing Mark Schwarzer had kept it out.
Middlesbrough again suffered from their European endeavours in midweek, failing to really test Shaka Hislop, with a late header from substitute Franck Queudrue proving little consolation.
After 65 minutes, Sheringham was sent on for Bobby Zamora - and with his first touch, the former England man put West Ham ahead.
Konchesky made ground down the left flank, and cut the ball back into the penalty area, where Sheringham was in the perfect position to slot home a low strike, which took a slight deflection past Schwarzer.
The Hammers went 2-0 up in controversial fashion with 15 minutes left.
Konchesky whipped in a free-kick from the left, which deflected off Riggott.
Although wrong-footed, Schwarzer clearly got his hands down to make the save on the line but the assistant referee on the far side ruled the ball had gone in - much to the disbelief off the whole Boro side and bench.
Boro pulled a goal back with three minutes left when Queudrue headed in a corner from the left, but West Ham closed out the remainder of the match without much concern.
