West Ham United put three past Fulham

West Ham United increased the pressure on under-fire Fulham manager Martin Jol by putting three past their London rivals at Upton Park this afternoon.

The Hammers almost took the lead in the 10th minute when a free kick was directed towards goal by Modibo Maiga, only to come back off the post.

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West Ham threatened from another set piece in the 19th minute, with James Collins getting up for a header, which drifted narrowly wide of the post.

A acrobatic effort from Kevin Nolan on the stroke of half time failed to test Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, and the two sides went into the break tied at 0-0.

The Hammers took the lead early in the second period under fortuitous circumstances, with Mohamed Diame's drive taking a huge deflection on its way beyond a stranded Stekelenburg.

West Ham edged the contest throughout, and almost doubled their advantage on two occasions just after the hour mark, with Stekelenburg producing a strong save to deny Maiga, and James Tomkins having header cleared off the line.

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Fulham's best chance to grab an equaliser went begging when Pajtim Kasami latched on to a stray ball from Diame and thumped an effort wide.

Sam Allardyce's men left it late to secure the points, with substitute Carlton Cole guiding in Stewart Downing's menacing cross eight minutes from time.

There was even time for the Hammers to grab a third through Joe Cole, who found the net from the edge of the box to dump more misery on Fulham boss Jol.