West Ham say they are committed to retaining manager Avram Grant after weeks of speculation over his future at Upton Park.

AVRAM GRANT last night looked to have been given a stay of execution as West Ham manager after a board meeting at Upton Park ended with him still in place.

Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara insists he has not held talks with West Ham over a loan move but admits he may have to leave White Hart Lane in order to gain first-team football.

ONE cynic at half-time in the Britannia Stadium press room wondered aloud if it would be a “particularly good result” if West Ham won the game when Avram Grant wasn’t there (the Israeli coach missed the match because of his observance of Yom Kippur).

CHELSEA coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that England midfielder Frank Lampard will miss today’s match against former club West Ham after failing to recover from hernia surgery in time.

West Ham have not given up hope of bringing Joe Cole and Thierry Henry to the club, co-chairman David Gold has revealed.

West Ham confirmed last night that Avram Grant has had his work permit application approved to allow him to become the club’s manager.

New West Ham manager Avram Grant will not begin his reign at Upton Park until later this month as he waits for a work permit.

WEST HAM co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have heralded the appointment of Avram Grant as the “beginning of a new era”.

West Ham today appointed Avram Grant as their new manager on a four-year contract.

FA Cup Final: Portsmouth v Chelsea

TAL BEN-HAIM knows better than most just how dangerous Chelsea can be – but maintains Portsmouth must show “no fear” when they tackle his old team-mates in tomorrow’s FA Cup final at Wembley.

CAPTAIN John Terry will lead Chelsea out against Portsmouth at Wembley after being “scared” by an injury setback that threatened to destroy his dream of winning the double.

FROM Mick McCarthy there was humour, from Avram Grant heartfelt passion.

Portsmouth administrator Andrew Andronikou insists the club will not rush into selling players despite today being given permission to do so by the Premier League.

IT WILL no doubt be another seven days of madness at Fratton Park and even though they managed to pick up three points against relegation rivals, despite their administrator’s protests, they will find themselves docked nine this week.

THE wife of beleaguered Portsmouth coach Avram Grant has launched an astonishing defence of his behaviour after he was outed as the Premier League boss who visited a brothel last December.

A LITTLE under 18 months ago Harry Redknapp returned to Portsmouth and was subjected to aggressive chants of ‘Judas’ after quitting for Spurs but must be the toast of the south coast again after rescuing his old club from financial meltdown. For the meantime, anyway.

MANCHESTER CITY manager Roberto Mancini has admitted Adam Johnson is on his radar.

Portsmouth are waiting for the money from Younes Kaboul’s transfer to Tottenham to clear into their accounts before the wages of players and staff at Fratton Park can be paid, it is understood.

Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie admits his position at the club has become untenable.

PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has suggested he was left out of negotiations with Tottenham over the sale of Younes Kaboul.

FURIOUS Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has challenged Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez to put up or shut up over his pursuit of Kenwyne Jones.

ALEX FERGUSON believes Premier League basement dwellers Portsmouth are in a false position.

Avram Grant will take charge of training for the first time today at Portsmouth knowing he has the backing of the supporters.

FORMER Chelsea manager Avram Grant is being backed to lift Portsmouth up the table after it was yesterday confirmed he will succeed Paul Hart at Fratton Park.

Avram Grant is to be appointed as the new manager of Portsmouth, the club have confirmed.

PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie insists returning director of football Avram Grant is not waiting in the wings to take under-pressure manager Paul Hart’s job.

Former Chelsea coach Avram Grant has emerged unharmed after a light aircraft crashed in close proximity to him in Namibia.

Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has cast doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge by criticising the club's treatment of former boss Avram Grant.

Former boss Glenn Hoddle believes the next Chelsea manager will be on a “sticky wicket” due to owner Roman Abramovich’s influence.

Chelsea have parted company with manager Avram Grant after terminating the Israeli's contract.

Chelsea expect defender Ashley Cole to be fit for tonight’s Champions League final against Manchester United.

CHELSEA have distanced themselves from reports suggesting coach Avram Grant is at the centre of a race-hate campaign.

AVRAM GRANT is confident that Chelsea’s hopes won’t fall foul of Alex Ferguson’s extensive old boys network after ensuring the Premier League title remains unresolved going into the final round of matches.

Petr Cech believes Chelsea are stronger now than when they were crowned Premier League champions two years ago.

Captain John Terry insists Avram Grant has done enough to hold on to his job after guiding Chelsea to the first Champions League final in their history.

WATCHING the Everton game on TV was unbearable; firstly my “mates” thought it hilarious to send pictures and phone me during the match; secondly, having to sit and listen to the biased commentary and the obvious disappointment when Chelsea won was rather annoying.

John Terry is determined to use the hurt of two previous Champions League semi-final defeats by Liverpool to help Chelsea make club history.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is back in training and waiting for surgeons to give him the go-ahead to play following his horrific facial injury.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has called on fans to get behind manager Avram Grant as they target the Champions League final – but admitted their style of football is still not entertaining enough.

Derby manager Paul Jewell fears Chelsea counterpart Avram Grant could be out of a job this summer – even if he brings silverware to Stamford Bridge.

AVRAM Grant has highlighted the Champions League as a priority for Chelsea and he could not find the word to describe what failure against Olympiacos would mean.