Jermain Defoe continued his sparkling pre-season form with another goal against first division Norwich at Carrow Road last night, taking his tally to four from as many games.
The 19-year-old striker struck a beauty 4 minutes into the second half to send the Hammers into a 2-1 lead, after the returning Trevor Sinclair's 10th minute header had cancelled out Mark Rivers opener.Set up by Michael Carrick, Defoe resisted the challenges of two defenders to slip the ball home to maintain his record of having scored in every pre-season fixture so far.
And it was Defoe who set up the third, a crisp volley scored by Joe Cole with 12 minutes of the match, which was played in treacherous conditions, remaining.
Hammers fans also caught their first glimpse of new signing Youssef Soffiane, who came on for Freddie Kanoute with a little over ten minutes left on the clock. Although there was little to report from his debut performance supporters will have been encouraged by his pace.
Apart from the early goal the Hammers back line was rarely tested; Tomas Repka's 'thorough' challenge in the final minute being the only real heavy tackle of note.
Christian Dailly came in for some heavy criticism from home supporters still mindful of the challenge three years ago on Phil Mulryne which resulted in a broken leg, whilst Dailly was playing for Blackburn.
Apart from that, and the rather bizarre chant of "we shoot burglars, we shoot burglars" aimed at the Hammers contingent from the Carrow Road faithful there was no trouble to report.
The result will have pleased Glenn Roeder, who had seen his side win just once in their opening three games against Orient (1-3), Southend (2-1) and Colchester (1-1).
Next up for the Hammers is a visit to Victoria Road this coming Friday (August 2nd), when Glenn Roeder's men take on Gary Hill's Dagenham.
One player definitely not featuring on Friday is triallist Mamar Mamouni who has returned to France after playing less than one half in a Hammers shirt.
West Ham United: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn (Courtois 82), Garcia (Moncur 74), Cole, Carrick, Sinclair (Labant 74), Kanoute (Sofiane 79), Defoe (Camara 86)
Subs not used: Van der Gouw, Pearce, McCann, Soma, Iriekpen.
Norwich City: Green, Nedergaard (Russell 82), Kenton, Fleming, Drury, Rivers (Notman 63), Mulryne, Holt, Easton (Llewellyn 66), Roberts (Hayes 63), Nielsen (McVeigh 63)
Subs not used: Crichton, Emblem, McGovern, Sutch, Heckingbottom, Libbra
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