Hammers´ hitmen banish memory of Bellamy

West Ham banished the memory of Craig Bellamy as Gianfranco Zola’s strikers clinched a 2-0 win over Hull on Wednesday.

David Di Michele and Carlton Cole ensured the loss of Bellamy to Manchester City in a controversial 15 million pounds transfer last week was hardly noticed on the pitch at Upton Park.

Italian forward Di Michele opened the scoring after West Ham midfielder Mark Noble’s first half penalty was brilliantly saved by Matt Duke.

Then Cole tapped in after half time to claim his sixth goal in seven appearances for Zola’s team.

With Di Michele and Cole in prolific form and new signing Savio Nsereko involved as a substitute for the first time since his move from Brescia, Bellamy is likely to be forgotten quickly in London’s East End.

How Hull manager Phil Brown must wish he had Zola’s striking options. His side have now lost six games in a row and look in danger of sliding into the relegation scrap.

Valon Behrami had West Ham’s first strike on goal with a 20-yard effort which dipped just over the crossbar.

Jack Collison was next to threat the Hull goal as his low strike produced a fine stop from Duke.

The Hull keeper, who was making his first Premier League appearance in place of axed first choice Boaz Myhill, had a moment of good fortune when Di Michele’s curling shot from just outside the area came back off the inside of the far post.

West Ham were piling on the pressure and won a controversial penalty in the 21st minute when referee Howard Webb ruled that Sam Rickett had bundled over Carlton Cole.

But Noble, who had a loan spell at Hull in 2006, was denied the chance to score against his former club as Duke plunged to his left to make a stunning save at full stretch.

Even that setback couldn’t shake West Ham out of their stride and Duke had to save well again to turn away Di Michele’s effort.

Hull couldn’t completely clear the danger though and were made to pay. Cole curled a shot towards the far post and Duke could only parry the ball out to Di Michele who tapped in from close range.

Di Michele and Cole combined to set up Collison moments later but the young midfielder’s shot hit a post.

Duke ensured Hull still had a glimmer of hope at half-time when he blocked Cole’s effort and then scrambled back to pounce on the loose ball as it rolled towards goal.

Cole wasn’t to be denied however and he got on the scoresheet in the 51st minute. Noble lofted a cross towards the far post and Di Michele’s shot hit a post before rebounded to Cole, who calmly slotted home from no more than five yards.

Brown responded by sending on Jimmy Bullard for his debut and the former Fulham midfielder immediately tested Robert Green with a dipping strike. But Bullard couldn’t spark a Hull revival and West Ham strolled to their fourth win in five games.