Curbishley says Bellamy can become Upton Park legend

WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley has admitted he initially underestimated the talents of Craig Bellamy – a player he now believes can become an Upton Park legend.

The £7.5m summer recruit from Liverpool has three goals to his name after netting the first in the Hammers’ comprehensive dismantling of Reading at the Madejski Stadium, where they had been thrashed 6-0 last season.

The Welshman had been a doubt before the game with a groin problem, but was still too quick for the home defence when he opened the scoring in the sixth minute, with Matthew Etherington adding two more in the second half.