Sunderland 1 West Ham 2:INSPIRED BY a superb performance from Scott Parker, West Ham shrugged off their Premier league woes to destroy Steve Bruce's dream of winning this season's League Cup.
With Parker controlling the midfield in gloriously measured fashion the Sunderland manager’s intention of “having a right good go at getting some silverware” swiftly fizzled out on a night when it seemed that Avram Grant might have a long-term future at Upton Park after all.
Bruce’s new-found rapprochement with Anton Ferdinand came under early strain. Indeed Sunderland’s recently reconciled manager and centre-half exchanged some strong words after Victor Obinna was twice permitted freedom to shoot from the edge of the area.
If Ahmed Elmohamady gave West Ham’s Tal Ben Haim quite a work out down the right, Danny Welbeck looked a little lost wide on Sunderland’s left while Paraguay’s Christian Riveros seemed out of his depth against the excellent Parker.
When Obinna met one of Parker’s fine through balls and crossed to the well-positioned Frederic Piquionne a goal appeared in the offing but, instead, Piquionne shot tamely, leaving Simon Mignolet with a simple save.
By now West Ham’s assurance on the ball was belying their wretched League form and they deservedly took a 34th-minute lead after Pablo Barrera’s pass to the accelerating Piquionne defied home hopes of an offside flag. Having rounded the advancing Mignolet, Piquionne passed the ball into the empty net and, suddenly, Grant was smiling.
His side might have been two up had Mignolet not dived low to save smartly from Parker at the conclusion of a move initiated by the midfielder. It was a key save as shortly after Ferdinand had limped off Sunderland equalised.
It came from a corner, Jordan Henderson’s inswinger being met by Gyan whose powerful header beyond Marek Stech proved the cue for a wonderfully co-ordinated dance routine on the Ghana striker’s part.
The second half began with Gyan directing a decent chance over the bar as his team-mates upped the tempo with the sort of urgency which suggested they had just received a managerial ear bashing.
Parker, though, gradually succeeded in drawing the sting and Obinna had the Stadium of Light booing in unison after restoring West Ham’s lead. It was not a goal Kieran Richardson will care to remember, having begun with Barrera getting in behind the home left back before crossing for Obinna to shot past Mignolet.
GuardianService
SUNDERLAND: Mignolet, Bardsley, Onuoha, Ferdinand (Da Silva 40), Richardson, Elmohamady, Henderson (Zenden 71), Riveros, Welbeck, Bent, Gyan (Malbranque 61). Subs not used: Carson, Colback, Angeleri, Reid.
WEST HAM:Stech, Faubert, Ben-Haim, Tomkins, da Costa, Obinna (Dyer 71), Parker, Boa Morte, Barrera (Noble 90), Kovac, Piquionne (Cole 78). Subs Not Used: Boffin, McCarthy, Spector, Brown. Att: 21,907.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).
