Hammers storm top despite Green’s red

West Ham survived the 56th-minute sending-off of Robert Green — and the handicap of having no substitute goalkeeper — to thrash Blackpool 4-1 at Bloomfield Road and return to the top of the npower Championship.

Green was dismissed for hauling down Roman Bednar with his side 2-1 ahead and Henri Lansbury was forced to take over in the net, but Sam Allardyce’s side eventually eased home to leapfrog Southampton in the table.

James Tomkins headed home a Mark Noble free-kick in the 28th minute and Nicky Maynard added a second goal four minutes later before Kevin Phillips responded for the home side on the stroke of half-time.