Premiership: West Ham lead at the break

West Ham 1, Derby Co 0 (half-time)

Derby were looking to land a triple whammy at Upton Park but were in arrears in the opening minutes thanks to Sebastian Schemmel.

Derby made the worst possible as they went a goal down inside five minutes.

Goalkeeper David James’ long punt from his own area led to skipper Paolo di Canio being brought down on the edge of the Derby box by Youl Mawene.

From the free kick, Michael Carrick’s back heel was driven through the wall by Don Hutchison, allowing right wing-back Sebastien Schemmel to score his first goal for the club since his summer move from Metz via a clumsy flick from just five yards.

Di Canio then saw a goalbound volley, from a low Kanoute cross from theright-hand edge of the area, blocked by Chris Riggott before the home side were denied what seemed to be a clear-cut penalty.

Hutchison weaved his way into the area in the 11th minute and appeared to be bundled off the ball by Riggott, but referee Graham Poll ignored thestrong claims for the spot-kick to the fury of the Hammers fans.

A stunning 16th-minute through ball from Joe Cole released di Canio and the Italian should have made it 2-0.

Although shadowed by Mawene, the West Ham star fired in a left-foot, 15-yard drive which had keeper Mart Poom at full stretch to top away, with the ball just evading Kanoute as he followed up.