Sharp Sears brings relief for Curbishley

ALAN CURBISHLEY last week called for his experienced players to spark his side back into action. But in the event it took young debutant Freddie Sears to breathe life into West Ham’s campaign.

Curbishley has bemoaned his luck this season as his summer signings have been hit by injuries, but the situation has given Sears, James Tomkins and Jack Collison their chance around the first team.

Sears took six minutes after coming off the bench to make his mark with the winner against Blackburn to end West Ham’s run of three successive 4-0 defeats.