The 2002-03 seasons was disappointing for West Ham, however much of it was not their fault. Injuries cost the club dear through out the season, some of the main casualties including, Don Hutchinson, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Frederic Kanoute. West Ham struggled in the league through out the season and it came to no surprise when they were relegated at the end of the season. Their cup form was hardly better, crashing out at the first hurdle of both competitions.
Few weeks into the 2003-04 campaign, Glenn Roeder left the West Ham managerial post, being replaced by Alan Pardew. West Ham could not find any magical form and it ultimately cost them, they could only finish in a play off final, losing to Crystal Palace. West Ham also lost key players at the start of the season, including Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.
The 2004-05 campaign was slightly better for West Ham. Despite early elimination in both cup competitions, West Ham managed to reach a play off position. They met Preston in the 2005 play off final, and a Bobby Zamora goal, mid way through the second half, won the tie for them and in turn, promotion back to the Premiership.
West Ham fitted in well during their first season back in the Premier league. Alan Pardew’s men sizzled through out the season, priding themselves on their English starting line up. Key players through out the season included Marlon Harewood, Matthew Etherington and Paul Konchesky. The Hammers were outstanding in the league, finishing the season off strongly in ninth position, not bad for a newly promoted club. They saved their best form for the FA Cup. The signing of Dean Ashton, certainly helped the Hammers embark on a great cup run and they qualified for the final after beating Manchester City and Middlesbrough in the last eight and last four respectively.
The encounter proved to be a classic, between West ham and Liverpool. Three goals were scored by each side and the match had to be settled on penalties, unfortunately, West Ham lost the penalty contest.