Coventry 1 West Ham 2

There wasn't a lot to shout about for either side for much of the first half. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out and the game wasn't helped by some over fussy refereeing that made the game into a rather stop-start affair.

Neither side showed any real threat going forward until the 33rd minute when a low cross from the right-wing into the West Ham area found its way to Platt on the six yard line, Platt turned and shot past Green to open the scoring for Coventry.

The only real West Ham effort on goal was a 20 yard effort from Noble that flew over the bar. Faubert also momentarily worried the keeper. From 40 yards out his mis-hit cross (I'm pretty sure it wasn't a shot) for a second looked like it might catch Murphy off his line and drop just under the crossbar. In the end however the ball was just a few yards too high.

West Ham could count themselves unlucky going into the break a goal behind. There was only one real chance in the whole 45 minutes but Platt was assured enough on the ball to make it count for Coventry.


Unlike a Conservative budget however West Ham do actually have a Plan B. His name is Carlton Cole and he came on after the break for Carew. Luckily for Cole the rest of the West Ham side also finally turned up and from the the start of the second half they attacked the Coventry goal.

West Ham's pressure paid off in the 69th minute when a long punt up field was controlled by Cole, who then drove into the area and scored with a low shot. Six minutes later and West Ham grabbed the lead in bizarre fashion.

Piquionne attempted a diving header at a Faubert cross but, instead of connecting with the ball, Piquionne dived beneath the cross. The ball then bounced off the striker's marker (who was presumably struck immobile from shock at Piq's diving effort) and ricocheted off of the prostrate Piquionne and dribbled over the goal-line to give West Ham the lead.

As is the way of West Ham, Coventry then spent the rest of the game throwing everything forward and West Ham faced ten minutes more-or-less camped inside their own half. Some resolute defending however kept Coventry at bay and West Ham chalked up another impressive away win.