Big Sam Waiting On 'Dead Man' Curbishley!

That was on 73 minutes as Hammers trailed 1-0 to tiny, lowly League Two Macclesfield.

But it was in the very next minute that form Toon midfielder Lee Bowyer could have saved his managerial career with a goal.

 
Curbishley must have been rocked to his heels by the chant from his own fans - especially after all the criticism that has been heaped around his shoulders over the last few days.

A terrible performance at Manchester City, stories of unrest and low morale within the camp and even the treaded black spot of being made Premier League manager's favourite for the sack, all these factors have hurt the former West Ham player.

When asked about the chanting, usually reserved for an opposing manager, he said: 'That's it at the moment. What can you do about it. Except win games and keep going.'

The bookies now have him out on his own as favourite to be the first top flight boss for the sack at 5/2.

Mark Hughes (7/1) and Paul Ince (10/1) are next.

CARLING CUP NEWS:

Danny Murphy scored an injury-time winner as Fulham avoided a second-round Carling Cup upset at the hands of Leicester.

Zoltan Gera grabbed his first goal for the Cottagers (31) but the Foxes - eager for some good news following their relegation to Coca-Cola League One - stunned their hosts at the start of the second half.

Paul Dickov equalised immediately after the break and Andy King put Leicester ahead two minutes later.

It looked like that would be enough but Jimmy Bullard - who has been linked with a move away from Fulham - levelled from 25 yards (83) and Murphy let fly from the same distance two minutes into added time to earn Roy Hodgson's side an unlikely 3-2 victory.

Carlos Villanueva put in an impressive debut as Blackburn cruised into the third round with a 4-1 victory over Grimsby.

Tom Newey put the visitors into a shock lead by curling in a free-kick after only seven minutes, but Villanueva equalised (18) and by half-time it was 3-1 with Matt Derbyshire (32) and Brett Emerton (48) netting.

Derbyshire grabbed the fourth 10 minutes after the break and was only denied a hat-trick by an offside flag.

It looked like there would be an upset at the Galpharm Stadium when Michael Flynn (34) gave Coca-Cola League One Huddersfield the lead against Sheffield United.

It stayed that way until eight minutes from time when Darius Henderson equalised (82), and the turnaround was complete a minute later as substitute Kyle Naughton grabbed the winner to give the Blades a 2-1 victory.

West Ham needed extra time to see off League Two strugglers Macclesfield 4-1 at Upton Park.

The Silkmen, who have lost their opening three league games without scoring a goal, led for nearly 70 minutes after Gareth Evans' fifth-minute opener.

But Lee Bowyer equalised with 74 minutes gone and the visitors' task got even harder when Izak Reid was sent off in the 90th minute for a foul on namesake Kyel Reid.

Carlton Cole broke the minnows' resistance 10 minutes into extra-time and Zavon Hines, who came on for his debut in the first half when Valon Behrami suffered a head injury, made it three (105) before Reid netted his first Hammers goal (117).

Sunderland also needed an extra half-hour as they defeated Nottingham Forest 2-1 at the City Ground.

Rob Earnshaw, with his third goal in the competition this season, put the hosts ahead on the hour mark but Phil Bardsley levelled four minutes from time with his first goal for Sunderland and debutant David Healy grabbed the winner (93).