Curbs still positive as Becks and Stars shine

Alan Curbishley insisted there were plenty of positives to be taken from West Ham's defeat to the MLS All-Stars. Striker Dean Ashton, who signed a new five-year contract last month, scored both of the Hammers goals, giving them the lead in the 26th minute and striking again in the second half to make it 2-2.

But, in front of a sell-out crowd of 20,844 at the BMO Field in Toronto, it was the collection of players from the Major Soccer League who won to extend their unbeaten All-Star Game record against overseas teams to 5-0.

The Hammers are three weeks into their pre-season preparations and manager Curbishley thought last night's game was a good workout for his team.

"I think for everyone concerned it's been a success," said Curbishley. "There were goals scored and the chances that were created there could have been a bit more of a scoreline but I think everybody came away with something tonight.

"We needed the fitness work and we certainly got it. The MLS players scored two terrific goals and it was a good evening. Everybody can be well pleased with their efforts."

Ashton's first goal came when he ran on to a through ball from strike partner Carlton Cole before rifling home right-footed.

But the lead lasted less than a minute with David Beckham starting the move that led to the equaliser. The England midfielder played the ball to Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who backheeled it into the path of Christian Gomez to slot home past Robert Green. West Ham were on the back-foot for the rest of the first half and were undone just before the break when Blanco made it 2-1.

The Mexican cut inside from the left and then curled a shot through a maze of players and around Green at the far post.

West Ham struggled again for the opening part of the second half but drew level through Ashton in the 67th minute when he fired in from 20 yards.

The Hammers were level for just three minutes after Lucas Neill gave away a penalty when he brought down Dwayne De Rosario in the box. The Canadian picked himself up to score the spot kick.

Although it was just a friendly Beckham was delighted to win against one of his former Premier League rivals and he hailed the spirit of the MLS team.

"Any good player that's passionate about soccer is committed in every game that we play and every player out there was committed to winning the game," he said.

"We said we were going to take it seriously and we wanted to win the game and we did that.

"We also wanted to put in a good team performance because we are a bunch of players that play against each other every week and haven't played with each other. But we proved here we can come together and we played as a team, we worked as a team and we won as a team.

MLS coach Steve Nicol, the former Liverpool defender, said: "It was a fantastic performance, we thoroughly deserved to win and it was a pleasure for me."