Gianfranco Zola's Hammers continued their excellent recent run of form with a comprehensive victory over Hull City at the Boleyn Ground tonight.
Goals from David Di Michele and Carlton Cole earned West Ham another three vital Premier League points thereby extending United's unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions. Visitors City, who came into the game on the back of five straight league defeats were never at the races and had their rookie goalkeeper Matt Duke to thank for preventing a rugby score, as the Hammers, who remain unbeaten in 2009 piled up the chances.In addition to the two goals Zola's side missed a penalty and struck the woodwork three times as they laid siege to the Tigers' goal, going on to produce one of the best performances witnessed at the Boleyn Ground (by the home side, at least) for some considerable time. All in all it was exhibition stuff from West Ham who could have quite feasibly been six up at half time having pounded their opponents in the first half - although they had just David Di Michele's 33rd minute strike to show for their efforts.
In front of a vocal and near full house United went at Hull from the start and Carlton Cole fashioned a good opportunity within 90 seconds. Efforts from Valon Behrami, Jack Collison and Mark Noble followed before Di Michele hit the post on 18 minutes with a curling effort that, had it gone in, would have been a contender for goal of the season.
Just three minutes later the Irons were awarded a penalty after Carlton Cole went down under the challenge of four Hull defenders. TV replays were inconclusive but Hull will perhaps feel fairly hard done by. However they got what they no doubt feel will be a deserved outcome when goalkeeper Duke, making his first Premier League appearance at the age of 31 brilliantly palmed Noble's effort wide of the goal.
Undettered United continued to press forward and Di Michele was involved again as he was sent clear through on goal. Unfortunately for the 31-year-old striker he completely sliced his effort and, to his embarrassment, it ended up nearer the corner flag than its intended target.
But that was to prove a rare error by the Italian veteran who rolled back the years with a superb individual performance on the night. Full of craft and invention it was no surprise when Di Michele popped up at the far post to nudge home a rebound from Carlton Cole's curling effort - again well saved by Duke - to give the Hammers a much deserved lead on 33 minutes.
West Ham could have increased their half time advantage firstly through Jack Collison, who completed a wonderful flowing move with a close range effort that pinged off the near post then via Carlton Cole who was sent through on goal by a Di Michele header. Once again, keeper Duke stood firm to deny the in-form front man.
It had been a quite breathtaking first half performance from the Hammers and one rightfully recognised by the home crowd who stood to applaud their team off as the half time whistle blew. Hull, on the other hand no doubt walked into a rollocking from manager Phil Brown, but at least they were saved the indignity of being publicly humiliated on the pitch this time.
Brown's words appeared to have some effect as Hull started the stronger of the teams after the break. But any class evident on the pitch was reserved for claret and blue shirts and City's renaissance lasted just five minutes before Carlton Cole, scoring in his fifth consecutive Premier League match (thereby equalling a 23-year-old club record) made it 2-0 after reacting quickly to pounce on a Di Michele effort that had rebounded off the inside of the post.
Whilst it would have perhaps been nice to see United go for the jugular Zola's instructions to play it safe for the final half hour were probably correct, and having doubled their lead the Hammers were far more conservative with their attacking play from thereon in. However that didn't prevent a flurry of opportunities to further increase the lead which, but for the intervention of goalkeeper Duke, would have been a certainty.
Di Michele saw a 15-yard effort fizz inches wide of the post before Noble almost caught Duke out with a cheeky lob that was tipped over the crossbar by a retreating keeper. Meanwhile Cole and substitute Luis Boa Morte had chances to cap a great night with a third goal in injury time, whilst Hull's best chance fell to Daniel Cousin who should have tested Green more with his 78th minute header.
Delighted Hammers fans were also treated to the introduction of new signing Savio Nsereko, who replaced Di Michele with just three minutes of time remaining. Despite only being given a few minutes on the field Savio managed to draw rounds of applause with one display of close-range skill that gave a glimpse of what this exciting young player could produce.
The victory consolidated United's eighth place spot in the Premier League, putting them level on points with seventh-placed Wigan who drew 1-1 at home with Liverpool. Those points, which take West Ham's tally to 32 from 23 games could prove especially important given the fortcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester United.
Zola, who endured a difficult introduction to his managerial career is now beginning to reap the rewards for the time and effort he and right-hand man Steve Clarke have invested in the team. This weekend's visit to the Emirates Stadium promises to be a fascinating clash, and the first real test of just how far this rapidly-improving West Ham side has come.
Match Facts
West Ham United: Green, Neill, Ilunga, Upson, Collins, Parker, Noble (Boa Morte 84), Behrami, Collison (Faubert 71), Di Michele (Savio), Cole.
Subs not used: Lastuvka, Tomkins, Tristan, Sears.
Goals: Di Michele (33), Cole (50).
Efforts on Goal: 20 (10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 25, 29, 33*, 39, 44; 50*, 52, 55, 70, 75, 79, 85, 90, 90+4).
Hull City: Duke, Ricketts, Turner, Zayatte, Dawson, Marney (Mendy 73), Kilbane, Ashbee, Geovanni (Fagan 53), Cousin, Manucho (Bullard 53).
Subs not used: Myhill, Garcia, Halmosi, Folan.
Booked: Marney (36).
Efforts on Goal: 9 (13, 19, 36, 41; 48, 53, 58, 63, 78).
Referee: Howard Webb (7).
Attendance: 34,340.
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