West Ham United claimed their first Premier League win since November by beating Cardiff City 2-0 on Saturday afternoon.
Carlton Cole broke the deadlock in a tight game just before the interval with a fine finish from close range.
The visitors were dealt a blow in the second half when James Tomkins was sent off for a second bookable offence, which invited even more pressure from Cardiff.
However, Mark Noble sealed the victory in stoppage time following a counter attack as Cardiff searched desperately for an equaliser.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.
Good afternoon everyone. It's been an incredibly tough week for fans of West Ham United. A 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was followed by a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City. Is time running out for Sam Allardyce? He takes his team to Wales to play Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Cardiff City today.
Allardyce has been given the vote of confidence by the club's owners, but we're all wise enough to not always trust what you hear in the Premier League. He may not be on the brink of being sacked but he knows that his side can't afford to lose again today.
Every football fan felt for Malky Mackay when he was forced out of the club but early signs under Solskjaer suggest that the future might be bright. The former Manchester United forward started his reign with an impressive FA Cup win over Newcastle United. Will he enjoy similar success in his first game as a Premier League manager?
Team news is just starting to reach us ahead of the 3pm fixture. Solskjaer has decided to make four changes to the side that beat Newcastle last weekend. Full teams to follow shortly.
CARDIFF: Marshall, Theophile-Catherine, Hudson, Caulker, John, Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Noone, Campbell, Odemwingie
SUBSTITUTES: Lewis, Turner, Cornelius, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, McNaughton, Bellamy
Mark Hudson starts in the Premier League for the first time, while Gary Medel, Craig Noone and Kevin Theophile-Catherine all return to the starting lineup. Magnus Wolff Eikrem is named on the bench following his move to the club earlier in the week.
WEST HAM: Adrian, Tomkins, Jarvis, Rat, Collison, Taylor, Noble, Demel, Downing, C.Cole, Johnson
SUBSTITUTES: McCartney, Carroll, Maiga, Diarra, Diame, Jaaskelainen, J.Cole
Finally, there is some good news for the Hammers. Andy Carroll returns from a foot injury to be named on the bench for the visitors and that will be a relief for everyone at the club. James Tomkins comes into the West Ham defence to provide another boost for Allardyce.
The poor run really does have to end today for West Ham. They currently sit 19th in the Premier League and are three points away from the safety of 17th position. Allardyce has been a master in steering teams away from relegation but this could be his toughest test.
Cardiff currently occupy 17th and could be dragged into the relegation zone if results don't go their way this afternoon. Solskjaer will have been delighted with last week's FA Cup victory but he knows the real task is to help the club avoid relegation. Consistency has been the problem for Cardiff this season. At times they've been superb in the current campaign.
Can Carroll save West Ham's season? We know that on his day he can prove to be almost unplayable but after such a long spell on the sidelines, you wouldn't be surprised to see him struggle to regain top form this season. Allardyce and the Hammers fans will be keeping their fingers crossed.
West Ham are certainly still missing a few key players but the return of Tomkins could be a key factor. A fresh body in the centre of defence could be just what the visitors need following a miserable week of heavy defeats.
There will be plenty of excitement around the Cardiff City Stadium if Eikrem is given his debut off the bench today. Solskjaer thinks very highly of the 23-year-old forward and it will be interesting to see how he copes in the Premier League. Fraizer Campbell will be desperate to keep the new arrival out of the side by scoring once again today.
West Ham head into this match with their confidence much lower than Cardiff's, but both teams need a positive result to end their respective poor runs in the Premier League. Cardiff have won just once in seven games, while the Hammers have not picked up a victory in the league since November.
These two teams met on the first day of the season. Morale was much higher in the West Ham camp back then and goals from Kevin Nolan and Joe Cole were enough to beat Cardiff on that afternoon. A lot has changed since then. Not many people will be backing a repeat today.
Solskjaer is sure to be given a great reception on his home debut. He's come to this league with a great reputation but it's a results business and with an owner like Vincent Tan above him, the wins need to arrive as soon as possible. Cardiff could be 15th in the table by the end of the day.
PREDICTION: It's time to stick my neck out and have a guess at what the score will be this afternoon. I'd expect West Ham to put in an improved display but it will be difficult to claim a win in the Welsh capital. 2-1 to Cardiff.
The players are just about to head inside following their warm-ups. Both of these teams have struggled to score goals this season, so it would be fair to suggest that the first goal could be crucial this afternoon.
You can follow live text coverage of any of the games in the Premier League today. Just click on the game in the live scores box to the right of the page. It's going to be another exciting afternoon. Make sure you stay with us for all of the drama.
Vincent Tan isn't at the ground yet. Maybe he's had enough of the chants from the home supporters, although he doesn't look like the kind of owner who takes too much notice of that. David Gold and David Sullivan, the West Ham owners, are both in the stands.
All eyes seems to be on this game this afternoon. Can Allardyce finally relieve the pressure with a win today? Solskjaer comes to Cardiff with the club in a difficult position and he'll be eager to begin with a positive result.
Both teams are lined up in the tunnel. The action is just a few minutes away in the Welsh capital.
Two very different managers in different positions but both are desperate to collect all three points. Something has to give. Make sure you stay here for what will surely be an exciting contest.
Solskjaer gets a superb reception from the home supporters. They're clearly happy to have him as their new manager. West Ham get the game underway.
It's a promising start for the visitors. Cardiff are put on the back foot and West Ham win a free kick in a dangerous position. Noble delivers a good cross but Tomkins fails to direct his header back across the box.
WOODWORK! Downing's cross evades everyone in the box and strikes the post. The ball falls to Tomkins, who looks set to make the breakthrough but Marshall reacts superbly to make a great save. What a start from the Hammers.
Cardiff attempted to break following that bit of pressure from the visitors but a promising move breaks down before they can threaten Adrian's goal.
Downing is leading this bright start from West Ham as he targets the box with a weaving run but Kim comes across to make a vital tackle. Great defending.
Much better from Cardiff. Odemwingie drifts out wide to collect the ball and whips in a lovely cross towards Campbell, who fails to make any firm contact with an optimistic scissor kick.
Bad, bad news for West Ham. The last thing Allardyce needs is another injury to a defender but it looks like his bad luck is set to continue. Demel and Johnson rise to challenge for a cross with Campbell and it's Demel who comes off worse when he lands heavily on his back. He might be forced off the pitch.
Demel is still down following that collision. It was a bad fall for the defender but he may well have hurt his ankle, too. I'll let you know more when news reaches us. It looks like George McCartney will come on in a few moments.
There's some real concern now at the Cardiff City Stadium. The medical staff are reluctant to rush anything as they treat Demel on the pitch. He's been down for over five minutes. Fingers crossed it's not as serious as it looks at the moment.
SUBSTITUTION: Demel is finally stretchered off the pitch to a polite round of applause. McCartney comes on as his replacement. The match resumes following an eight minute delay.
Allardyce would have had his heart in his mouth once again. McCartney jumps to challenge Campbell before falling awkwardly. Thankfully, he's able to shake off any problem.
The break in play has ruined the pace of this game. Neither team have been able to settle down following Demel's departure. It's very cagey at the moment.
Odemwingie takes the ball past three players with some lovely skill before finding Noone, who takes a touch before curling in a dangerous cross which is well cleared. Hudson wins a header from a corner a few moments later but he can't direct his header at goal.
It's Cardiff who are beginning to look the more dangerous of the two teams. The hosts have increased the pace of their passing and West Ham are being forced to chase red shirts in midfield.
Noone has swapped wings to target McCartney, who is being forced to play at right back this afternoon. It's going to be a tricky afternoon for the defender but he's keeping his opponent out at the moment.
Cardiff are dominating possession now and Allardyce will be concerned with his side responding by dropping deeper. It's easy to watch from Cardiff but they're lacking a threat in the final third of the pitch.
Noone targets McCartney for the first time and beats his opponent before chipping in a good cross. Campbell rises at the back post but he miscues his header over the crossbar.
CROSSBAR! Kim unleashes a superb effort at goal but hits the underside of the crossbar. The ball bounces down and the hosts appeal for a goal. However, the goal line technology informs the referee that the deadlock has not been broken.
UPDATE: Demel has been taken to hospital following that heavy fall. Reports are suggesting that he has suffered a broken elbow and injuries to his face. We wish him all the best.
Another look at the replay shows just how close Cardiff were to opening the scoring in this match. It may have been a different story without the technology in place today.
It's Cardiff doing most of the pushing but they're being frustrated by some stubborn defending. A few moments ago Johnson had an opportunity to head at goal but he failed to make meaningful contact from Noble's corner.
SAVE! Noone shows good skill to earn himself some space but his low effort is well stopped by Adrian.
GOAL! CARDIFF 0-1 WEST HAM (C. COLE)
It's been a terrible week for the Hammers but Cole finally provides some joy for the visiting supporters. Jarvis delivers an excellent cross and the forward is gifted enough space to finish impressively from a few yards out. Big goal for West Ham!
CLOSE! West Ham are inches away from a second goal. Taylor runs at the Cardiff defence and comes close to doubling his team's lead with a powerful effort that drifts just wide of the post.
There is 10 minutes of added time to be played following that injury to Guy Demel.
Cardiff appeal optimistically for a penalty when the dangerous Noone goes down inside the box but it doesn't look like a penalty. Lee Mason agrees and waves away the protests.
It was a superb start to the game but it's been a bit of a battle since Demel's injury. Cole has stepped up at an important time and he's putting in a good shift in attack.
Cole is causing plenty of problems for Hudson and Caulker with his power and refusal to let any attacking move come to an end without a fight. It's becoming a tough afternoon for the Cardiff defenders.
SHOT! Taylor tries his luck once again from distance but his effort sails harmlessly over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: CARDIFF 0-1 WEST HAM
The first half finally comes to an end at the Cardiff City Stadium, with Gary Medel talking himself into the book just before the whistle was blown. Demel's injury was the big moment in the first half and both teams struggled to respond following a lengthy delay. However, Carlton Cole managed to break the deadlock with an emphatic finish from close range after Jarvis and Noble had combined well.
Solskjaer has his back against the wall in his first Premier League game in charge of Cardiff. His side have shown glimpses of what they can do in the final third but they've been short of their best in the first half. The Norwegian will be expecting a response from his players.
It's been sloppy for long periods but Allardyce certainly won't care how the points come at this stage of the season. West Ham must pick up something today and Cole's strike has given them a great opportunity to end their disappointing run of results.
Will Solskjaer consider making a change at the interval? Eikrem seems like the obvious choice following his recent move but Craig Bellamy's direct approach in attack could prove to be a big weapon.
The next goal will surely decide how this game goes today. If Cardiff fall further behind, it's difficult to see how they will claim anything from the game following their first half display in front of their own fans.
SUBSTITUTION: Solskjaer clearly wasn't too happy with that first half performance. Bellamy comes on to make his return from injury and he replaces Odemwingie. Cardiff get the second half underway.
CHANCE! Bellamy almost makes an immediate impact for the hosts. The substitute delivers an inviting free kick and Hudson is gifted plenty of space by the visiting defence However, the defender fails to hit the target with his header.
Superb from Hudson! Just moments after failing to test Adrian with his header, the defender prevent his side from falling behind by getting a crucial touch on the ball before Cole could tap in Taylor's cross.
YELLOW CARD! Noone's skill causes plenty of problems for McCartney, who finally surrenders and chops down his opponent. Easy decision for Lee Mason.
Cardiff once again appeal for a penalty but it's another hopeful appeal from the hosts. Noone's cross was dangerous but any suggestions of a handball inside the box are quickly dismissed by the referee.
CHANCE! Superb from Noble to chip a perfect ball over the Cardiff defence and into the path of Jarvis, who fires his shot wide.
Much more promising football from the hosts as Kim combines impressively with Medel before the latter sees a deflected effort sail just over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
Another penalty appeal from Cardiff! Bellamy's corner is cleared but Campbell finds himself on the floor inside the box. Was there a foul? Lee Mason once again decides there is no case to answer.
SAVE! Great chance for Cardiff. Bellamy is making a big impact and it's his clever play that sets up the opportunity for Campbell. The forward is in a great position to score the equaliser but Adrian makes a stunning save.
Cardiff are on top now and the visitors are really struggling to keep possession. Taylor loses the ball in midfield, which gifts Whittingham plenty of space to hit a deflected shot straight at Adrian. West Ham are fortunate to still be ahead.
YELLOW CARD! Tomkins is late with the tackle on Campbell and he is rightly cautioned by the referee.
A goal is surely not far away for the hosts. There's plenty of Cardiff players in dangerous positions but it's once again Whittingham who sends a deflected shot into Adrian's hands.
SUBSTITUTION: Eikrem comes on for his debut to replace Medel. His new side need him to deliver this afternoon.
Carroll is warming up on the side of the pitch. West Ham are struggling to retain possession when they do break away, so Allardyce may consider sending on the forward soon.
Great play from the Hammers on the break as Downing finds Collison, who miscues a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the box. Cardiff respond by putting the pressure on again.
CLOSE! Bellamy could not be any closer to pulling a goal back for his team. Cardiff win a free kick in a great position and the experienced forward curls his effort inches wide of Adrian's post.
SUBSTITUTION: Big moment in the season for West Ham and Andy Carroll. The England forward comes off the bench to make his return from injury and he replaces Cole.
RED CARD! It's going to be even more difficult for the visitors to hold on now. Tomkins is given his second yellow card when he catches Campbell's head with a high boot. Lee Mason has no choice there. Can Cardiff take the opportunity?
SUBSTITUTION: Allardyce uses his final change to send on Alou Diarra to replace Collison.
It's all Cardiff at the moment. The hosts deserve an equaliser but they haven't got much longer to claim something from this match. West Ham are desperately hanging on.
SUBSTITUTION: Bellamy fires a shot wide from distance and his reaction tells you all you need to know. Solskjaer rolls the dice for the final time to replace Hudson with Andreas Cornelius.
West Ham seem to have no intention of attacking right now, with just Carroll standing in an advanced position as the visitors clear cross after cross from Cardiff.
The frustration is obvious in the Welsh capital. Cardiff are struggling to get into the areas required to cause problems as West Ham's midfielders continue to do a superb job of closing the ball down on the wings.
Brilliant from Noble! Cardiff finally slice open the visitors and the ball falls to Bellamy but the West Ham midfielder responds superbly to make a vital block.
SHOT! Eikrem gets his first sigh of goal in a Cardiff shirt but his effort on the volley barely troubles Adrian.
West Ham venture forward before quickly retreating when the move breaks down. They're defending stubbornly. Can they hang on for a priceless victory?
Cardiff have four minutes of added time to salvage a point. The pressure is back on the visitors once again.
YELLOW CARD! Diarra becomes the latest West Ham player to receive a book following a late challenge on Bellamy.
GOAL! CARDIFF 0-2 WEST HAM (NOBLE)
Will this be the start of the turnaround? West Ham clear the danger and break quickly to take advantage of the lack of Cardiff defenders in their normal positions. Carroll holds the ball up well before picking out Noble, who calmly slots past Marshall. Brilliant celebrations in the away end.
FULL-TIME: CARDIFF 0-2 WEST HAM
What an afternoon for the Hammers. It's been a terrible week for Allardyce but some of the pressure will now be lifted following this vital victory. West Ham climb out of the relegation zone thanks to goals from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble.
Cardiff fans would have been optimistic earlier in the day but Solskjaer's first game as Premier League manager ends in defeat and his side drop into the relegation zone. It's going to be a tough few months for the new manager.
That's all from me for today. Thanks for joining me for a dramatic afternoon of Premier League football. West Ham end a miserable week on a positive note, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is left with plenty to ponder on his way home.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
