Back in 2006, West Ham United pulled off a shock win over Arsenal. A last-minute goal sparked wild celebrations – and a huge row on the touchline. However, the former striker Marlon Harewood has now shared the funny story of how his teammates mocked their manager Arsene Wenger afterwards. In simple words, here is what happened.
The Big Game at Upton Park
Arsenal were the big favourites that day. They visited West Ham’s home ground, Upton Park. The score stayed 0-0 for most of the match. West Ham fans were nervous as the clock ticked down.
Then, in the 90th minute, Marlon Harewood pounced. He tapped in a cross to make it 1-0. The stadium went wild. Harewood ripped off his shirt in joy. His manager, Alan Pardew, was just as excited as him. He jumped around and waved his arms wildly towards the Arsenal bench.
That celebration did not go down well with the legendary Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman became very furious.
Arsene Wenger on Man United: “Where Arsenal lacked was patience & technical cohesion which #mufc had. The way they play is convincing. Usually it’s the home team who win at 2-2. I must congratulate Carrick- he has created something.”
[@beINSPORTS_EN]
pic.twitter.com/uSNV3gOfO1
— United Zone (@ManUnitedZone) January 25, 2026
The Touchline Fight
Pardew’s gestures upset Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal manager marched over and pushed Pardew. Words flew between them. Wenger called Pardew a “disgrace”. The referees had to step in to calm things down.
After the final whistle, the two managers did not shake hands. Wenger later got a £10,000 fine from the Football Association. Pardew said sorry for his part in the row. But the drama did not end there.
Marlon Harewood was still celebrating on the pitch when it all kicked off. He did not see the fight at first.
Teasing in the Dressing Room
Back in the West Ham changing room, everyone saw the replay on a big screen. Marlon Harewood and his teammates could not stop laughing. They started ribbing Pardew straight away.
“We were teasing him and saying, ‘You’d get beaten up,'” Marlon Harewood remembered. “I didn’t even know [they fought] because I was celebrating. Then we sat down… and saw the confrontation. We were like, ‘Pards, what are you doing? You’re gonna get beaten up!'”
The players joked that Arsene Wenger, a tall, strong man, would have battered their manager if it had turned into a real fight. It was all in good fun after a famous win against the league leaders.
"That walk out with the jeans and the shirt on was just terrific…"
Alan Pardew on Arsenal’s unveiling of Eberechi Eze at the Emirates 🔴 pic.twitter.com/xytwjvNuS5
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 29, 2025
Harewood’s Fond Memories of Pardew
Harewood joined West Ham as one of Pardew’s first signings. He remembers the manager’s excitement: “The first time I met him he was like buzzing that I came.”
Pardew promised Marlon Harewood he would be the number one striker. Even when goals dried up – eight or nine games without scoring – Pardew kept picking him. Fans got angry, but the manager stuck by him. Harewood finally scored, then hit a hat-trick and became top scorer.
The next season was tougher. West Ham struggled. Pardew faced the huge pressure. Harewood fell out of the team as new players like Carlton Cole arrived. Their relationship cooled, but Harewood understands why.
“The second season, we were under a hell of a lot of pressure,” he said. “As a player, when you’re not playing, you take it out on the manager inside.”
A Cult Hero Looks Back
Today, Harewood is a West Ham legend for that late winner. The 2006 clash with Arsenal is still talked about. It showed the passion of football and the joy of winning. Moreover, it also shows the nature during the heat of the moment, and the laughs that follow.
Pardew and Arsene Wenger later made up. But for one night, the West Ham dressing room had the best story: their manager nearly got battered by the iconic Arsenal boss!
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