Robert Green has served the club extremely well during his six years with West Ham United and he has become a popular figure at Upton Park. Many fans will hope he stays with the club for many more years. However, his contract expires at the end of
the season and he has yet to agree a new deal. As a result, Green could leave on a free in the summer. Since his time with the club he has become a cult hero at Upton Park having won the Hammer of the Year in 2008 and has been a runner up twice. This
article will have a look back at Green’s best moments in a West Ham shirt.
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1. Man of the Match performance against Arsenal at the Emirates
This man of the match performance against Arsenal has to be Green’s greatest performance in his West Ham career. Arsenal were the favourites against a West Ham team that was fighting for relegation. As expected Arsenal dominated the entire game, but they were constantly denied by Green. Arsenal found themselves a goal down at half-time after Bobby Zamora chipped Jens Lehmann to give the Hammers a shock lead. The Gunners then launched an attack after attack only to find Green in the form of his life. The keeper produced an astonishing save to keep out Gilberto Silva’s well-struck volley and then stuck out an arm to stop Emmanuel Adebayor’s close range header.
Green also parried Tomas Rosicky’s fierce snapshot and he then had to backpedal to collect Cesc Fabregas’ cheeky chip. Arsenal had a total of 30 shots on goal but still did not find a way past determined Green. West Ham managed to walk out of the Emirates with a win because of Green’s man of the match performance.
2. Last Minute Penalty save against Tottenham Hotspur
Green produced a last minute penalty save to deny London rivals Spurs the victory at Upton Park. The game was level at one each when Spurs were given the opportunity to steal a win when former Hammer Jermain Defoe was brought down by Lucas Neil
in the box. Defoe, who is a hate figure at Upton Park due to his behaviour when the club were relegated in 2003, picked himself with a grin on his face to take the penalty.
He took the penalty only to see Green palm his effort against the post. The save from Green started wild celebrations at Upton Park. Not only did Green deny Spurs the victory, but it was Judas Defoe that had missed the penalty kick at Upton Park.
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3. World Class Save from Gareth Bale’s Free kick
West Ham were away to Spurs in a crucial game at White Hart Lane. West Ham needed the points to remain in the Premier League and Spurs were searching for the lucrative fourth-spot.
The game was heading for a stalemate before Spurs won
themselves a free-kick 25 yards out with only five minutes remaining. Bale stepped up to take the free-kick and he curled a shot over the wall which was destined for the top corner. Almost everyone had thought that would be the winning goal for Spurs,
but a flying Green appeared from nowhere to tip it onto the bar before it was cleared by a West Ham defender.
It was a stunning late save from Green which denyed the hosts all three points. The save also proved that Robert Green is a quality goalkeeper after his uncharacteristic gaffe at the 2010 World Cup.
4. 1-0 Victory at Old Trafford
West Ham travelled to Old Trafford on the last day of the season knowing they needed a point to stay in the Premier League. West Ham took the lead in the first half through Carlos Tévez’s strike.
The goal started a Manchester United onslaught towards the West Ham goal. Green produced a number of outstanding saves during
the game. He palmed John O’Shea’s powerful header over the bar and he managed to get a fingertip on Wayne Rooney’s fierce drive.
Green also denied Manchester United’s top goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo on three occasions. Green made another excellent save in injury time as Paul Scholes fired in a shot from distance but the Hammers keeper tipped it past the post to give West Ham their first Premier League victory at Old Trafford and saved West Ham from relegation.
5. Reading 0-3 West Ham
The corresponding fixture a year earlier saw Green concede six goals as West Ham were trashed 6-0 by Reading.
West Ham travelled to the Madejski Stadium determined not to repeat a dreadful performance from last season and they succeeded.
West Ham were two goals ahead thanks to brilliant counter attacking goals from Craig Bellamy and Matthew Etheringhton. Reading were gifted an opportunity to get back in the game with a penalty when Green brought down Dave Kitson in the box. Green redeemed himself by diving across his goal to deny Kevin Doyle and also buried the ghosts of last season’s horrible result. The save saw the West Ham players run up to the Green to celebrate. This expressed the importance of the save and the heartache the players felt because of last season’s awful performance. West Ham went on to win the game 3-0 thanks to another great counter attacking goal from Etherington to claim a great victory over Reading.
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