Football: Lampard inspired by family history

FC Jokerit 1 West Ham 1 West Ham win 2-1 on aggregate

FRANK LAMPARD was barely a twinkle in his father's eye when West Ham last had any real success in Europe. The England Under-21 midfielder was not even born when Frank Lampard Snr was scoring crucial goals for the West Ham side that reached the final of the European Cup-Winners' Cup against Anderlecht in 1976.

However, after scoring the goal that put West Ham through to the next round of the Intertoto Cup, Lampard Jnr is hoping to emulate the achievements of his father, who is now the club's assistant manager. His 71st minute goal from a free-kick against the Finnish part-timers FC Jokerit put the Hammers through 2-1 on aggregate here and kept alive their hopes of reaching this season's Uefa Cup.

He admitted it was the prospect of major European football that spurred him on. "I've seen some very old black and white videos of my dad playing in Europe for West Ham. They all seemed to be great occasions, especially under the floodlights at Upton Park, and I would love to bring those days back.

"A lot of foreign teams did not fancy playing us at home, and it is up to us to get that atmosphere back again. Dad talks to me about the games he played in, and even on the way to the Olympic Stadium he mentioned he had played here twice.

"That is what it's all about. We deserve to be in Europe after finishing fifth in the Premiership, so it's up to us to come through this competition. It's a great honour to play against the best in Europe and that is what I hope to do."

Jokerit can count themselves unlucky not to have got a result after putting up a brave fight in both matches. Their midfielder Tero Koskela will never forget the occasion - after scoring the opening goal in the 33rd minute he was sent off against the club he supports.

Koskela said: "I have supported West Ham for 10 years and it was a dream come true to play against them. I swapped shirts with Rio Ferdinand after the game because he is one of my favourite players.

"I didn't think I would ever get the chance to play against them and even had a dream the night before the game that I would score a goal - and it came off. I would love to play for West Ham one day, but I think I've got a lot of work to do before I can achieve that."

Not that he was too impressed with a Hammers side that struggled to impose itself over the two legs and still struggled after Jokerit had been reduced to 10 men with Koskela's dismissal following a late foul on Paolo Di Canio which left the West Ham striker with a shin injury.

"West Ham were not as good as I thought they would be," Koskela admitted. "If they want to win this tournament they will have to play a lot better."

Redknapp's main concern for the first leg of the fourth round tie against Heerenveen, of the Netherlands, at Upton Park next Wednesday is whether Di Canio will have recovered in time having limped off after Koskela's tough challenge.

Redknapp said: "His leg doesn't look too good - we'll have to wait and see."

However, the West Ham manager will be able to play new pounds 3.5m signing Paolo Wanchope. He said: "We've now got his work permit through and he is eligible to play on Wednesday."

Goals: Koskela (1-0) 33; Lampard (1-1) 69.

Jokerit (4-5-1): Laaksonen; Viren, Jossila, Hyrlainen (Rasanen, 48), Rolko; Nenonen, Holmeren, Rantaanen, Koskela, Ristila (Corrigan, 54); Sumiala (Lehthoen, 57).

West Ham (4-4-2): Hislop; Jones (Potts, 46), Ferdinand, Ruddock, Minto; Sinclair, Lampard, Lomas, Keller; Di Canio (Lazaridis, 75); Kitson.