LONDON // Herita Ilunga saved West Ham just when it looked like Middlesbrough had defied the form book to grab a quarter-final place.
The Congolese full-back headed home a Savio free-kick from the left in the 82nd minute to earn the Hammers a replay after they had spent most of the match on the front foot.
There appeared to be only one possible winner of this all-Premier League tie. One team on a dismal run of form without a league victory in 13 games against a side having lost just once in nine, to the champions Manchester United, and with an England striker in scorching form.
But things didn't work out as expected. West Ham's Carlton Cole hobbled off before half-time and his side lost their shooting boots.
Gareth Southgate's Boro were certainly the brighter early on, with Stewart Downing wasting a fine chance as Didier Digard's fine run gave him a clear sight of goal from 18 yards but he fired inches wide.
West Ham were starting to settle and the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Brad Jones twice in quick succession as he pushed aside vicious strikes from both Mark Noble and centre-back James Collins.
And Gianfranco Zola's West Ham were swiftly made to pay for not taking those opportunities as Downing gave the visitors the lead after 23 minutes.
Gary O'Neil was the architect, swinging in a vicious cross that both Collins and Matthew Upson missed, allowing Downing to steal in and head home unchallenged for his first goal of the season.
Cole was forced off by injury, replaced by Diego Tristan, and it swiftly became apparent how much they missed the England striker's killer instinct as Noble saw his deflected effort well saved and Jack Collison fired the rebound well over.
Middlesbrough were surprisingly comfortable despite West Ham's second-half dominance - before O'Neil gave away a late free-kick and Ilunga made him pay.
sports@thenational.ae
The Abu Dhabi Awards explained:
What are the awards? They honour anyone who has made a contribution to life in Abu Dhabi.
Are they open to only Emiratis? The awards are open to anyone, regardless of age or nationality, living anywhere in the world.
When do nominations close? The process concludes on December 31.
How do I nominate someone? Through the website.
When is the ceremony? The awards event will take place early next year.
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
