Clean sheet relief for Green

West Ham United goalkeeper Robert Green is delighted to have finally kept a clean sheet, having been beaten in all of his previous 26 games in all competitions.

Green's last shutout came in a 1-0 victory at Fulham in late February, but the 28-year-old England international helped keep Portsmouth at bay in Saturday's goalless draw at Upton Park.

"I'm delighted. It's just good to get the monkey off my back," Green told the Epping Forest Guardian.

"I was getting sick of letting goals in and I've been pretty sick of people reminding us we haven't kept a clean sheet for God knows how long.

"For a keeper, clean sheets are the same as a striker with goals. If you don't let any goals in you think, along with your defence and the other lads, you've done half the job.

"Portsmouth have come and blocked up and made it hard for us. That's how much we're respected in the league.

"It's not been the best of runs by any stretch of the imagination, but it's a run we've hopefully ended now.

"Hopefully we can build on that next week and really go forward."