Keane strikes on Hammers debut
The damage was all done in the first half as the Hammers held off a spirited Blackpool, who replied through Charlie Adam.
Keane’s flying start after joining the club on loan from Tottenham and the form of Obinna, who scored a hat-trick on his previous outing, offers much hope for manager Avram Grant.
Grant said: “We were looking for a player like Robbie. He is very good, a very intelligent player.
“Gary O’Neil was good, Wayne Bridge — all our signings were good and the other players continue to play well.”
Grant, who threw his scarf into the crowd at full-time, said: “It was a very important win. Every game now is very important for us.”
Grant made five changes to the side which beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup at the weekend and the result was a vibrant first-half display.
Blackpool were buoyed by the presence of their captain Adam after his deadline-day move to Liverpool failed to materialise. And the Scotland midfielder immediately tried to dispel any suggestions that the club’s refusal to sell him might affect his game with a powerful run in the opening minute.
Midfield partner David Vaughan also looked keen to influence proceedings as the Seasiders, with new signing Andy Reid on debut, played their usual attacking game. But it was West Ham who had the better of the opportunities in a lively opening.
Richard Kingson was twice called into action early on, firstly to save a close-range shot from Obinna after Keane’s scuffed effort diverted a Frederic Piquionne cross into his path.
Kingson was at fault, however, as West Ham claimed the lead after 24 minutes. He looked to have Obinna’s ambitious shot from wide on the left covered but let it slip from his grasp and roll over the line.
West Ham doubled their lead on 37 minutes as Keane made his mark.
Blackpool got themselves into a mess at the back as Noble lobbed a free-kick into the area after Parker was felled.
Kingson twice saved from Obinna in quick succession but got no help from his defenders and Keane’s sliced effort found the net.
Blackpool responded as Adam found the back of the net direct from a corner, Frederic Piquionne missing his kick at the near post and unsighting Green. Yet the Tangerines’ joy was short-lived as Obinna restored a two-goal advantage on the stroke of half-time with a ferocious shot from 20 yards.
The game tightened up in the second half as West Ham looked to deny Blackpool any further way of getting back into the game. Blackpool manager Ian Holloway decided to go for all-out attack on the hour, sending on new signing James Beattie and former West Ham forward Marlon Harewood. Harewood forced Green into a fine save in injury time but the Hammers celebrated a crucial win.
BLACKPOOL: Kingson, Eardley, Baptiste, Cathcart (Evatt 46), Carney, Reid (Harewood 60), Vaughan, Adam, Taylor-Fletcher, Campbell, Varney (Beattie 61).
WEST HAM: Green, Jacobsen, Gabbidon (Reid 33), Tomkins, Bridge, O’Neil, Noble, Parker, Obinna (Boa Morte 83), Piquionne, Keane (Kovac 84).
Ref: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
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