Hammers booed despite crucial win

West Ham 2 Hull City 1

A Mark Noble penalty and James Chester’s own-goal ensured Allardyce’s side claimed the win that moved them up towards mid-table against a Hull side who were reduced to 10 men after the first-half red card shown to keeper Alan McGregor.

“It’s 34 points now, which is a massive total [at this stage]. We want to get safe as quick as we can,” said Allardyce.

But three points were not enough to prevent a chorus of boos at the final whistle from supporters underwhelmed by the home side’s display. Allardyce’s position had been questioned in the build-up to this game and this was further confirmation he enjoys a fragile relationship with some Upton Park regulars.

The manager had once again called for the introduction of technology to help match officials after claiming his side had been on the wrong end of too many contentious decisions in recent weeks.

On this occasion though, the West Ham manager had every right to feel relieved referee Mike Dean did not have the opportunity to review the incident that led to Noble’s opening goal and the dismissal of Hull’s McGregor.

Noble’s attempt to release Mohamed Diame into the Hull penalty area deflected off Hull pair Tom Huddlestone and Chester before being guided forward by Diame’s hand. McGregor came out to block but succeeded only in upending the midfielder, prompting the referee to take action.

Hull’s complaints continued and when order was finally restored, Noble placed the ball confidently beyond Steve Harper, the substitute goalkeeper.

The home side deserved their 25th-minute lead after starting the game much more positively than their opponents, who appeared content to sit back and strike on the break. However, Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic were starved of service for long periods.

Bruce elected to keep both his forwards on the pitch despite the numerical disadvantage but the only real first-half threat came from Maynor Figueroa’s long-range effort that forced a reaction save from Adrian. And at that point, there seemed little chance the visitors could find a way back into the game.

That changed immediately after the restart with Bruce’s side levelling after just three minutes thanks to Huddlestone’s free-kick. The midfielder’s shot wrong-footed Adrian after deflecting off Jelavic’s arm, but there was no case to make for handball.

Suddenly West Ham were facing the prospect of squandering an excellent opportunity to take a significant step towards safety and Allardyce’s side appeared affected by nerves. But they were handed an unexpected route back into the lead when Chester sliced the ball past Harper in the 54th minute.

It was enough for Allardyce, but not for the fans watching from the stands.

WEST HAM UNITED: Adrian 7; Demel 6, Tomkins 7, Collins 6 (Johnson 9, 6), McCartney 7; Noble 8, Taylor 7; Downing 6, Nolan 7, Diame 7 (J Cole 68, 6); Carroll 8.

HULL CITY: McGregor 4; Elmohamady 7, Chester 5, Davies 7, Figueroa 6 (Rosenior 59, 6); Livermore 6, Bruce6 (Harper 25, 6), Huddlestone 7, Meyler 7; Jelavic 6 (Sagbo 82, 6), Long 7.

Referee: Mike Dean.