Freddie Piquionne and Carlton Cole got the goals as West Ham recorded what could be their best victory of the season so far, as they kept the pressure on Southampton at the top of the table and extended their lead over the play off places.
With Sam Baldock and John Carew not travelling with the squad to the North East, it was left to Piquionne to lead the line for the Hammers and he didn’t disappoint. After just nine minutes, the returning Matt Taylor delivered a pinpoint cross for Piquionne to powerfully head the Irons in front in a match between two promotion rivals.
Cole put to bed any West Ham nerves in the 90th minute when he pounced on a poor back-pass from Boro’s Mathew Bates which let him in on goal to round the goalkeeper and pass home the Hammers second. The 1200+ brave travelling supporters were able to make their journey home happy once again, as the East Enders recorded their seventh away win of the season.
West Ham unusually started the game brightly and continued to pile the pressure on, even after taking an early lead with Papa Bouba Diop going close twice and Julian Faubert trying his luck from distance. Robert Green also deserves credit once again as he kept out Scott Mcdonald and Marvin Emnes acrobatically to keep the scores level.
A terrific defensive display saw Boro restricted to very few chances on a ground that they were unbeaten on since February. Guy Demel impressed on his debut before being replaced by Joey O’brien and Cole soon replaced Piquionne to give some fresh legs to the Upton Park side.
Mark Noble, Kevin Nolan and Diop controlled the midfield as Premier League experience was clear to see all over the pitch. Matt Taylor got some much needed game time and instantly gives the side more natural width as Sam Allardyce’s side are now unbeaten in seven Championship games and will look to continue that at home to Burnley on Satruday.
After the game Allardyce told SkySports: “The squad is being used to its full potential and it’s looking pretty good for us. We’ve missed some big players today and we came and performed like that and in the end won the game very comfortably against a team that hadn’t lost a game here.”
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A great result against a side who’d won 17 on the bounce at home, l thought this one would be tougher than it turned out to be and having seen the maniacal defending by Boro for our goals, it gave my a warm glow inside 🙂 A 6 point gap between us and Cardiff makes the busy month of December a little more comfortable. And to all the Piquionne doubters on facebook last night….he shoved your words right up your a***s……………..COYI ‘><'