No concern over player safety - Hammers

West Ham are playing down reports that striker Marlon Harewood came under siege from angry fans after his penalty miss which dropped the team even deeper into relegation trouble against Watford on Saturday.

Reports claimed around 15 West Ham supporters surrounded Harewood in his car when leaving Upton Park on Saturday night following the 1-0 defeat by the Premiership's bottom club.

The apparently player suffered verbal abuse and finger-jabbing but a club spokeswoman said: "I'm afraid stories of mob fury have been rather exaggerated. Marlon rang the press office saying he was surprised about how the incident was reported."

She added: "He was in an area where lots of players stop in their cars to sign autographs before taking the main road but inevitably there are a few critics around, too.

"We are certainly not especially worried about players' safety and security there."