West Ham United 1 Sunderland 0

Last updated : 10 April 2010 By Footymad Previewer
West Ham United's hopes of avoiding the drop were boosted significantly by a nervy 1-0 success over Sunderland at Upton Park.

This was the Hammers' first victory in eight games and it halted a run of three successive home defeats.

Such was the jubilation at the final whistle you would have thought that West Ham would have won the Grand National and a general election. However, there is no doubting the importance of this victory, especially as their chief rivals Hull City slipped up at home to Burnley.

It was a nervy display by the Hammers though and for large chunks Sunderland looked the more polished and dangerous outfit.

After a dull opening ten minutes, it was Sunderland who had the first attempt on goal when Steed Malbranque's teasing corner just eluded the onrushing Michael Turner.

The visitors went even closer five minutes later when Darren Bent controlled Kieran Richardson's left-wing cross, but lifted the ball just over the crossbar with home keeper Robert Green helpless.

The Hammers responded immediately, Valon Behrami's 20-yard shot tested Craig Gordon. Gordon was lucky to stay on the pitch in the 35th minute when he deliberately handled the ball just outside his area to a chorus of boos from the home fans, referee Michael Jones only showed the keeper a yellow card.

Gordon appeared lucky again five minutes later when he clearly pulled down Carlton Cole in the box, but Mr Jones controversially gave a free-kick to the visitors for a foul by Cole on keeper.

Sunderland looked most dangerous over the first 45 minutes. However, the second period was only six minutes old when they found themselves a goal down.

Manuel Da Costa long's free-kick was headed down by Cole into the path of Ilan, who squeezed the ball past Gordon.

With the deadlock broken the game became much more expansive. The Black Cats almost equalising in 58th minute when Lee Cattermole's fierce shot flew just wide.

Sunderland appeared certain to score in the 69th minute when Bent found himself unmarked just inside the penalty area, but the striker literally fell over his own feet with just Green to beat.

The visitors went close again in the 77th minute when Jordan Henderson's swerving free-kick tested Green at his near post.

Home attacks were becoming fewer and fewer as Sunderland took control of the closing stages.

Nevertheless Cole almost added a second West Ham goal in the final minute, but his crisp shot just cleared the bar. The Irons did have the ball in the net in injury-time, but substitute Guillermo Franco clearly handled before firing past Gordon.

There was still time for Sunderland to mount one last attack, but somehow the home defence scrambled the ball away and three valuable points were secured.