Hammers hoping for a dream finish
And he is banking on Argentinian Carlos Tevez inspiring the Hammers to an epic win at Manchester United next Sunday to save their Premiership skins — if it is needed.
Tevez scored twice and made the other for Mark Noble as West Ham secured their sixth win in eight games and a delighted Curbishley said: “It is in our hands for the first time.
“I was just happy we got the result but anything can still happen. Tevez was doubtful to play, he had an ankle problem. But he was great, so was the football in the first half and so were the goals.
“I’m not into the ifs and buts at the moment but let’s hope there is nothing too much on it next Sunday at Old Trafford. My record there is as bad as anyone’s.
“But Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment. And I’m sure he’s not bothered too much by all the off-the-field stuff.
“It helps when he can’t speak the language and can’t read the newspapers. He says he is just a footballer and wants to get on with that. And that suits us.”
West Ham look favourites to survive despite winning only one game in the first 11 — ironically against United — when Curbishley took over from Alan Pardew in December.
Pardew’s Charlton face Spurs tonight and finish at Liverpool, whose weakened team’s defeat left Fulham practically safe on 39 points.
Tevez, who opened the scoring against Bolton with a superb 11th-minute free-kick before adding his sixth goal of the season 11 minutes later, said he would consider staying at West Ham next season.
He told Sky TV through an interpreter: “I will be happy to have negotiations with the club but right now my focus is on doing well against Manchester United next week.
“They could be champions by then and are a strong team at home especially.”
Curbishley added: “The crowd have been shouting for Tevez ever since I came here. I didn’t pick him in the first few games but he’s got into the team and shown his real quality.
“In recent weeks we’ve asked him to play further forward in the last third of the field and put pressure on people. It has made all the difference.
“We’ve also been able to field a settled side in the last few weeks and that has helped a lot as well.”
New Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his UEFA Cup hopes dented despite a second-half reply by Gary Speed and defeats for rivals Portsmouth and Reading, but praised his players.
“It was very disappointing we didn’t stick to our game plan in the first half but the boys deserved credit for the way they applied themselves afterwards,” Lee said after his first game since succeeding Sam Allardyce.
“We had to push four men up and take some chances at the back but we finally looked more like the old Bolton.
“The big plus to come out for us is that other sides around us in the table lost. The UEFA Cup means a great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and want to be back in it.
“This certainly wasn’t the start I was looking for. We lacked the basics but once we got them right and threw a bit of caution to the wind we looked a different side.
“The events of the last week have been difficult for the lads but they applied themselves much better in the second half.
“There is no doubt about this being a big change for me. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the last week, especially in the first half today, but I enjoyed even that challenge of trying to get it right.
“And I’m thrilled to have this position and I’m going to do the best job I can.”
Opta Fact: Carlos Tevez has scored in four of the last five games at Upton Park
Opta Fact: After scoring more than two goals in only three of their first 35 Premiership matches, the Hammers have managed the feat in their last two league games
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
