West Ham 3 Derby 1

West Ham started with Cole instead of Carew and with Taylor on the bench.

Derby would have been far happier than West Ham with the first 45 minutes. West Ham's disjointed display wasn't helped when Baldock was forced off with a hamstring injury after 20 minutes. Piquionne came on to replace the injured striker.

As the half progressed Derby became more confident and in the 34th minute took the lead. Collison lost the ball in midfield and Derby broke forward with purpose. Priskin drifted away from Tomkins, who was caught ball-watching, received the ball and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal from just inside the area.

After the goal West Ham did push forward a little more. In truth they didn't look destined to equalise until in the 44th minute O'Brien crossed from the right touchline and Cole managed to head home from 6 yards.


West Ham came out for the second half with a lot more purpose and a lot more pace on and off the ball. West Ham's pressure on the Derby goal was rewarded in the 64th minute with a beautiful goal from Nolan. Collison clipped a high awkward ball back to Nolan who volleyed the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the goal from 22 yards.

West Ham put the game beyond doubt in the 75th minute. Cole played the ball to Piquionne who was barged over and fell just inside the corner of the penalty area. The replay showed that the initial foul was outside the area but the referee gave the penalty. Noble stepped up and struck the ball home. Fielding dived the right way but failed to get anything on the ball.

After West Ham's third goal they played some nice football and dominated the possession. In the 86th minute a short corner to Collison was crossed into the box and Piquionne headed goalwards from 7 yards only to see the ball cleared off the line.


Another good win from West Ham sees them edge closer to Southampton at the top of the league. It's a tough away game to Middlesbrough next on Tuesday night.