A goal from Diafra Sakho has given West Ham United a 1-0 lead in their League Cup match against Sheffield United this evening.

The hosts had the first chance of the match when Ricardo Vaz Te headed Guy Demel's cross wide of the post, before Ravel Morrison fired a strike over the bar.

They continued to dominate and Enner Valencia saw his long-range effort saved by Mark Howard.

Valencia came close again on the half-hour mark when he was sent through on goal by Mohamed Diame, but the keeper got down low to save his strike.

Morrison was the next to threaten for the Hammers minutes later with a curling free kick that Howard tipped around the post, and from the resulting corner Reece Burke saw his volley saved by the keeper.

The hosts finally made their pressure count by taking the lead five minutes before the break when Sakho headed in from Burke's cross.