West Ham United have defeated Cardiff City 2-0 on the opening day of the season in the Premier League.
The home side had a good early chance after a wonderful ball from Matthew Jarvis found Joe Cole, but his header went over the bar.
Cardiff struggled to keep hold of the ball in the first few minutes, but gradually the Bluebirds began to exert themselves.
Peter Whittingham whipped in a set piece towards the near post but his effort hit the side-netting.
However, the Hammers took the lead thanks to a brilliant goal from Cole. Jarvis again found space to cross the ball, and Cole, with his back to goal, swivelled in the box and slotted the ball into the net.
Sam Allardyce's men then went in search of a second goal, but efforts from Cole and Mohamed Diame failed to trouble David Marshall in the Cardiff goal. Soon after, Matt Connolly went into the book for a challenge on Jarvis.
Cardiff continued to search for their Championship winning form, but were finding it hard to get into the game.
Frazier Campbell had a decent effort blocked by Kevin Nolan, but the Hammers were still on top and could have gone further ahead but Diame's shot took a slight deflection and went just past the post.
Diame again went close soon after the break when he smashed a shot just over the bar from 20 yards out.
Jarvis continued to cause Cardiff's defence problems and could have added to the lead, but he shot over after receiving Mark Noble's pass.
The Bluebirds were being frustrated in their efforts to equalise, restricted mainly to speculative efforts from outside the box.
West Ham replaced Jarvis with new signing Stewart Downing and the former Liverpool player was straight into the action, winning a corner for his new side.
Finally the pressure told as Nolan swooped to make it 2-0.
Gary Peters
