Foster gaffe lifts Grant

BLUNDERING Ben Foster may have saved Avram Grant’s job last night as 10-man West Ham survived a moment of madness from Victor Obinna to beat Birmingham in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final.

England goalkeeper Foster allowed a powder-puff shot from substitute Carlton Cole to squirm through his legs after Obinna looked to have cost the Hammers dear by crazily kicking Sebastian Larsson in the groin.

Cole’s goal may have owed much to Foster’s gaffe but the striker was still delighted to score the winner.