Unconvincing Hammers beat Rams

Zamora: Scored opener

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West Ham beat Derby 2-1 in an unconvincing performance at Upton Park on Saturday.

They deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute when Bobby Zamora headed home a George McCartney free-kick after poor defending by Dean Leacock.

But the Rams came out a different team in the second period and dominated play before Tyrone Mears netted a deserved equaliser on 65 minutes with a splendid finish past Robert Green.

But the Hammers restored their lead 12 minutes later when substitute Carlton Cole tapped in a Freddie Ljungberg cross after the Swede played a one-two with Mark Noble.

Difficult

West Ham had the first real effort of the game when a 25-yard free-kick from Noble was hit straight at Roy Carroll in the ninth minute.

Midfielder Scott Parker tried his luck with a 20-yard effort in the 12th minute but his effort was both high and wide.

The Hammers went ahead when Derby defender Alan Stubbs was penalised for a foul on the edge of the penalty area. McCartney sent the free-kick into the six-yard box and Zamora outjumped Dean Leacock to head beyond the stranded Carroll.

West Ham's young striker, Freddie Sears, making his first start for the club, continued to give Leacock a difficult time with several clever runs into the penalty area.

West Ham should have done better when Sears and Ljungberg combined neatly in the 33rd minute but the Swede's final ball to the youngster was far from the quality expected.

Derby had a scare moments later when veteran defender Stubbs required lengthy treatment on a leg injury before being allowed to carry on.

In the 37th minute, Zamora had a second goal ruled out for offside after the West Ham striker had managed to elude the Derby defence.

But it required an acrobatic save from Robert Green in the 38th minute to preserve West Ham's lead. A cross from the left by David Jones was head goalwards by Robbie Savage only for Green to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Derby's most dangerous play was provided down the left flank by Eddie Lewis and a number of his crosses caused the home side mild consternation before being cleared.

West Ham were quickly into their stride in the second half and Noble put Sears away on the left flank only for the young striker's cross to elude the outstretched boot of Ljungberg in the six-yard box.

Flashed wide

In the 50th minute Ljungberg and Parker combined on the edge of the penalty area but the latter's final shot flashed wide of Carroll's left-hand upright.

Derby began to enjoy their best spell of the game but the final ball into the penalty area often let them down. West Ham required the help of goalkeeper Green again in the 62nd minute when Mears burst into the penalty area.

The Derby midfielder shaped to lift the ball over the advancing Green but the West Ham 'keeper dived at his feet to collect the ball just in time.

But in the 64th minute Mears made no mistake when Hossam Ghaly put him clean through with just Green to beat. This time the Derby midfielder kept his cool and sent a right-foot drive into the net.

The goal was heralded with a chorus of boos from the home fans who had slowly watched County get on top as the half wore on.

West Ham hit back immediately but got nothing when Savage pulled back Ljungberg on the edge of the penalty area.

Manager Alan Curbishley was verbally abused in the 75th minute when he replaced Sears with Carlton Cole. His decision was greeted with a chorus of 'you don't know what you're doing' as Sears left the field.

But Curbishley was vindicated two minutes later when Cole finished off a run and cross by Ljungberg to give West Ham all three points.