Hammers boosted as Tigers are tamed

West Ham’s Premier League revival continued as a convincing 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Hull on Saturday boosted their chances of avoiding relegation.

A first-half strike from Valon Behrami along with goals from Carlton Cole and Julien Faubert capped a dominant Upton Park display from the Hammers, who move four points clear of the bottom three, although they have played a game more than their rivals.

Hull face a tough struggle to avoid slipping back into the Championship after a dispiriting display which left them just one point above the drop zone.

Gianfranco Zola’s side were looking to build on their morale-boosting victory against Birmingham in their last outing and got off to the perfect start.

The east Londoners could have taken a first minute lead when an audacious free-kick from Italian winger Alessandro Diamanti looked to be sneaking inside the post, but Boaz Myhill just managed to keep it out.

Hull’s relief was short lived as Switzerland midfielder Behrami took advantage of a good piece of fortune to put the hosts into the lead in the third minute.

An attempted one-two rebounded off a Hull leg, putting the former Lazio player in the clear in the penalty area where he kept his cool to finish past Myhill.

Diamanti shot over the crossbar after being released by Mexico striker Guillermo Franco before Myhill once again came to the rescue, tipping Behrami’s powerful drive around the post.

Myhill produced an even better save moments later, somehow keeping out Behrami’s header after a superb cross from Diamanti.

The away team’s first effort of note didn’t arrive until the stroke of half-time with Rob Green in the Hammers goal pushing George Boateng’s long-range shot over the bar.

Hull’s task became even more daunting in the 54th minute when midfielder Craig Fagan picked up a second booking for an unnecessary tug on Diamanti.

The game was effectively sealed on the hour mark when England forward Cole doubled United’s advantage.

French full-back Faubert played a superb ball through the Tigers defence which Cole latched onto before confidently finishing past Myhill.

Faubert turned scorer in injury time to put the icing on the cake, hitting a superb drive into the top corner of Myhill’s goal.