West Ham United progress to Carling Cup's fourth round
West Ham United progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, defeating Sunderland 2–1 after a hard-fought encounter.
One goal in either half from two recently signed strikers, Frederic Piquionne and Victor Obinna, got the better of Sunderland, for whom Asamoah Gyan equalised towards the end of the first half.
"I believe in the football you saw today. It is good for the confidence of the players that they have a reward from the game," said West Ham manager Avram Grant, who joined the side over the summer.
Grant's team have yet to pick up a win in the Premier League this season, but the Israeli believed the team's display against Sunderland could be a sign of better things to come. "It's very important to us to come to a place like this and win the game because
the players feel we have played well in the last games."
Sides level by half-time
West Ham showed attacking impetus in the early stages of the match. Obinna was presented with two finishing opportunities, but failed to test Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet with either shot.
Sunderland then produced a few scoring opportunities. Danny Welbeck struck a shot at Marek Stech, who replaced Robert Green for West Ham, but his effort flew straight at the keeper. Former Manchester United winger Kieran Richardson also came close before
West Ham took the lead.
Mignolet saved from Obinna before Piquionne failed to convert the rebound, but the Frenchman was soon to avenge his miss. With 36 minutes played, Obinna picked out his striking partner, who steadied himself to take the ball round Mignolet and put West Ham
in the lead.
Scott Parker then nearly added a second for West Ham after a flowing attacking move, but his finish was parried by Mignolet.
Sunderland won a free kick four minutes from half-time, and Gyan rose high at the near post to head home Jordan Henderson's cross at the near post and score on his first start for the club.
After the break, Gyan came close to putting Sunderland in the lead as the new signing received Phil Bardsley's cut-back from the by-line and thumped his effort over the goal frame.
Obinna seals win for West Ham
Just before the game hit the hour mark, Obinna, who is on loan from Inter to West Ham, scored his first goal for the club. Pablo Barrera and Scott Parker exchanged passes before the former played in Obinna, who turned and sent a lovely curled shot just inside
the post.
Sunderland came close to equalising with chances from Bardsley and substitute Steed Malbranque, but West Ham were resilient enough to hold on for the win. The club's fans will now hope Obinna and Piquionne will continue to deliver points in the domestic
league as well.
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