Carroll Hammers nail into Sunderland coffin

West Ham 2, Sunderland 1

Not that they’re getting paranoid on Wearside, but at this rate, any mention of their abject results will soon be subject to a polite revocation of access to the Stadium of Light.

It’s getting to that stage with Gus Poyet’s side — don’t mention the score.

Just nine minutes had elapsed when Andy Carroll, who will always by synonymous with Sunderland great North-East rivals Newcastle, rose in between an inept combined aerial challenge of defenders John O’Shea and Wes Brown to find the net with a powerful downward header from a Mark Noble corner.

Sunderland should have levelled almost immediately, but after fine approach play by Connor Wickham and Ki Sung-Yueng, the opportunity fell to Lee Cattermole. The midfielder player, unmarked eight yards out, hurried his finish and it was easily blocked by Adrian.

Despite an at times chastening first-half, the hosts should have gone in level from the penalty spot.

O’Shea’s prod goalwards was halted by Kevin Nolan, the West Ham player employing a deliberate arm-to-ball, one that went unpunished by Howard Webb.

The official’s myopia was magnified five minutes into the second-half when the visitors claimed a second goal. Carroll chested down a long James Tomkins free-kick for Mohamed Diame to find the bottom corner from 12 yards, the crisp volley taking a slight deflection off Santiago Vergini.

Substitutes Adam Johnson and Craig Gardner combined for the latter to find the top corner from 12 yards for the midfielder’s 10th goal of the season with 25 minutes left but it proved too little too late.

“It’s a great feeling to score. All the lads believe we’re safe now. Two wins have put us in a great position,” said Carroll.

SUNDERLAND: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea (Gardner 60), Vergini, Bridcutt, Cattermole (Johnson 53), Ki (Scocco 79),Borini, Wickham.

WEST HAM: Adrián, Demel, McCartney (Armero 45), Taylor, Tomkins, Reid, Downing, Noble, Carroll, Nolan (Nocerino 84), Diamé (Johnson 79).

Referee: Howard Webb.