West Ham Fans Born to be Claret and Blue

As smash and grab raids go, Hammers 2-1 victory over a plucky Coventry side at the Ricoh Arena, was a fully loaded range rover ram raiding a D&B store. Outplayed and out thought in the first half, Alan Curbishley's walking wounded managed to secure what for large periods of the match was an unlikely victory. The much maligned Carlton Cole cooly slotted home the winner on the stroke of full time for what seemed a totally legal goal, much to the displeasure of Iain Dowie who made his feelings known to Rob Stiles at the end of the match. It was a devastating to concede so late in the match for Coventry, who took the game to West Ham from the off and played with vim and vigor. Tabb, Mifsud and Best all had chances to put the home side ahead as Hammers failed to get a single meaningful effort on target in the first half. Turner's foul on Luis Boa-Morte which went unpunished when he was through on goal was the only glimmer oh hope offered up to the traveling faithful. Hammers showed more commitment at the start of the second half and Cole headed just wide from a Matthew Etherington corner. At the other end Tabb nodded in Osbourne's cross on 67 minutes leaving Richard Wright no chance. While the home fans at the Ricoh Arena were still celebrating Hammers weren't about to give up and Boa-Morte intercepted de Zeeuw's clearance but failed to convince with his shot however it went in courtesy of a couple of deflections to put Hammers level. George McCartney saw a good chance go begging but hit the side netting, Matty Etherington then wasted a well positioned free kick that he sent well wide But with extra time and maybe penalties about to become a reality Carlton Cole broke Coventry's hearts with a superb finish from the edge of the area after exploiting Turner's lack of strength and shrugging him off the ball. Hammers have been on the receiving end of far to many shock horror cup shocks, but at least tomorrow fans will be spared the 'Hammer Horror' headlines or that old favourite 'supercovvywerefantastichammerswereatrocious! Anyone need some dodgy leather goods? - Ed This is how the teams featured....Coventry: Marshall, McNamee, De Zeeuw, Turner, Hall, Tabb, Doyle, Osbourne, Gray (Simpson 46), Mifsud, Best (Kyle 70). Subs Not Used: Ward, Cairo, Thornton. Booked: Osbourne. Goals: Tabb 68. West Ham: Wright, Neill, Ferdinand (Gabbidon 85), Upson, McCartney, Bowyer, Noble (Pantsil 61), Mullins (Spector 46), Etherington, Boa Morte, Cole. Subs Not Used: Green, Reid. Booked: McCartney, Neill, Spector. Goals: Hall 71 og, Cole 90. Att: 23,968 Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).