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Pardew offers olive branch
06/11/2006 15:31 - (SA)
London - West Ham manager Alan Pardew appears to have offered an olive branch to Arsene Wenger in a bid to make up for the touchline spat which followed the Hammers' 1-0 shock win over Arsenal on Sunday.
Marlon Harewood's winner three minutes from time sparked incredible scenes at Upton Park and Pardew's celebrations led to him being shoved by the Frenchman after the two had come face to face.
Afterwards Pardew attempted to seek out his counterpart to apologise for his actions, which included a leap onto his knees inside the Arsenal technical area.
But Wenger refused to shake hands and made a quick exit from east London without saying goodbye.
Pardew on Monday admitted he had been "over-zealous" in the celebrations, claiming the relief of victory following the hot-tempered London derby - in which Gunners forward Robin van Persie appeared to be struck by a coin from the crowd in the first half - was to blame.
"If I was over-zealous in my celebrations - which I'm sure I was - I apologise fully to Arsene Wenger and Arsenal Football Club," said Pardew.
West Ham's second Premiership win in a row, after their victory over Blackburn last week, follows a string of eight consecutive defeats.
Pardew added: "We've had a tough old season here and maybe it came out. He was annoyed with that, maybe quite rightly so, but I hope that I can iron that out and (we will) be big enough to look each other in the eye.
"I've got great respect for him, and that won't change."
- AFP
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