West Ham 2-2 Newcastle

Apr 27 2008

WEST HAM manager Alan Curbishley praised the fickle home support despite his side losing a two-goal lead in this thriller. Curbs spoke out a week after his side was booed off the pitch by the Upton Park faithful.

He said: "I asked the fans for a response and they got behind the players from the start.

"They have a vital role to play and the boys responded to that.

"We could have won it in the end with the chances we had."

West Ham were cruising after strikes from Mark Noble in 10 minutes and Dean Ashton after 23 minutes.

But Newcastle hit back with goals from Obafemi Martins and Geremi inside the last three minutes of the first half.

Magpies gaffer Kevin Keegan said: "It was an open game and I think a draw was the right result in the end."