Despite a valiant defensive display from Cardiff City, a second-half strike from Bobby Zamora was enough to give West Ham United a 1-0 victory at Upton Park which the hosts thoroughly deserved. The Hammers had chances galore throughout the game, and put in a tremendous attacking display, but really struggled to break the deadlock in a cracking game in the capital.

The game was a real advert for First Division football, and the atmosphere inside the Boleyn Ground was terrific. The 30,000 Hammers in attendance got behind their side throughout, and the racket from Cardiff's travelling contingent helped create a fantastic noise inside the game right through the game. The 31,858 in attendance at Upton Park was the highest league crowd Cardiff City have played in front of since the visit to Sunderland on the 28th April 1979. The crowd that day, 25 years ago, was 36,526.

Lennie Lawrence made only one change from the team that surprisingly thumped Sunderland at Ninian Park last weekend, with Irish international Alan Lee replacing the injured Peter Thorne up front. Many supporters had been calling for the former Rotherham United forward to start more games, but his relationship with Robert Earnshaw looked shaky today, with the two City strikers seen arguing on several occasions.

The Hammers dominated the first-half but were left frustrated through hard luck and some brilliant saves from City 'keeper Martyn Margetson. Nigel Reo-Coker caused City problems at all times and looked a very talented player. Why City didn't buy him when the opportunity was there is beyond me, but he looks an acquisition Alan Pardew can be proud of. Michael Carrick and Bobby Zamora also looked dangerous and West Ham showed their real promotion credentials with a dominant display.

Rhys Weston had hobbled off early on in the half for City and was replaced by Spencer Prior, forcing a re-shuffle at the back. England under-21 international Gary Croft was not even included in the match-day squad to the amazement of the travelling faithful from Cardiff, which was probably due to him picking up a knock rather than Lawrence not picking the on-form full back.

Bobby Zamora had the lion share of West Ham chances, but Matthew Etherington went close with his effort finely saved by Margetson before Reo-Coker sent a shot inches over the bar. As the half drew to a close, Reo-Coker was once again in the thick of the action with his piledriver shot rattling Cardiff City's crossbar but the Bluebirds held on to go in at half-time goalless.

Despite the dominance from the home side City still looked dangerous on the break, a trend which continued throughout the game, and Paul Parry was instrumental at times down the left flank. The Welsh international, who earned his debut cap only a week ago, has made incredible strides in his football career over the past month but dealt with the pressure of playing in such a game very well.

Into the second-half, and West Ham started where they left off with a bombardment on the Cardiff City goal. The woodwork came to Cardiff's rescue again when Bobby Zamora saw his shot bounce back off Martyn Margetson's crossbar, but the England under-21 international was relentless with chance after chance as Cardiff struggled to hold on. The midfield authority the Hammers stamped on the game, and Zamora's pace saw him be granted with a number of chances before the deadlock was finally broken 17 minutes from time.

Zamora pounced onto a flick-on from David Connolly, who was once heavily linked with a move to the Bluebirds, and out-paced Daniel Gabbidon before slotting the ball coolly and calmly passed Martyn Margetson to net a goal on his home debut, and his second since joining the Irons in a part exchange deal from their rivals Tottenham Hotspur. It would seem toe £7million and Zamora that Alan Pardew recieved for Jermaine Defoe was shrewd business. The curse of the former Brighton & Hove Albion striker continues for City, with him now having netted three goals against the Bluebirds.

Cardiff attacked in vain as the game reached it's climax, launching a late rally in search of an undeserved equaliser, but West Ham were always in control of the game and still equalled the number of chances Cardiff created in the closing minutes. The predictable substitution of Andy Campbell for Paul Parry was made, but City couldn't find a way through the Hammers backline.

Overall, West Ham United thoroughly deserved their victory but City can take a little pride from the way they defended and still caused the hosts some problems on the break. Today's result sees Lennie Lawrence's side sit 11th in the First Division table, six points off the play-off positions with many clubs above and below having games in hand. Alan Pardew's Hammers rise into the last play-off place, but are still a point behind arch-rivals Millwall who also won today. However, if the East London club perform like they did today, then you'd imagine they still have a slight chance of automatic promotion.

Full Time - West Ham United 1-0 Cardiff City
Attendance - 31,858

Bluebird to the Bone Man of the Match - Martyn Margetson
The City 'keeper made a number of phenomenal saves to keep City level during the first-half, which was evidence to why Lennie Lawrence has dropped Neil Alexander for the Wales 'B' international. Paul Parry was also impressive for the Bluebirds, but Hammers trio Nigel Reo-Coker, Bobby Zamora and Michael Carrick were the starts of the show.

West Ham United: Bywater, Repka, Mullins, Dailly, Harley, Harewood, Reo-Coker, Carrick, Etherington, Zamora, Connolly. Subs: Srnicek, Nowland, Melville, McAnuff, Deane.

Cardiff City: Margetson, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker, Boland, Parry, Kavanagh, Langley, Earnshaw, Lee.
Subs: Alexander, Whalley, Prior, Robinson, Campbell.

Referee: G Cain (Merseyside)

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