Ian Wright's partnership with John Hartson showed signs of gelling as both scored to give The Hammers victory.

Wright may have reached the veteran stage, but his enthusiasm and tenacity remain undimmed and his 23rd minute strike led to a typically unrestrained celebration.

Welsh international Hartson was the provider but he claimed the clincher himself for his first goal in five games.

Aloisi rewarded

Coventry boss Gordon Strachan repaid John Aloisi for his Boxing Day point-saver against Tottenham by including him in the starting line-up for the first time since his recent move from First Division Portsmouth.

The home side, who had Aloisi's Australian international teammate Stan Lazaridis back on the left flank in place of Marc Keller, took only seven minutes to open their account.

Hartson charged down the right and shrugged off two challenges before crossing into the box, where Eyal Berkovic's dummy gave Wright time and space to pick his spot past veteran goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic.

The home side demanded a penalty when Steve Froggatt was tackled by Steve Lomas but their pleas were ignored and they were generally kept in check by Rio Ferdinand and Ian Pearce.

Referee stands firm

Coventry raised their game after the break but did not find an ally in match official Paul Durkin.

Aloisi collided with Shaka Hislop and then tumbled under a challenge from Pearce but neither incident led to a penalty.

Eyal Berkovic moves in for a tackle

Berkovic wasted a close range chance for The Hammers but the second goal came after 68 minutes when Wright provided the cross for Hartson to crash the ball home at the far post.

Coventry brought on Darren Huckerby in place of Aloisi but the best they could manage in the final quarter was a Paul Telfer shot which flew a yard past the post.

West Ham: Hislop, Ferdinand, Pearce, Lomas, Dicks, Lazaridis, Lampard, Sinclair, Berkovic, Wright, Hartson. Subs: Potts, Breacker, Omoyimni, Hodges, Forrest.

Coventry: Ogrizovic, Nilsson, Edworthy, Shaw, Breen, Boateng, Soltvedt, McAllister, Aloisi, Whelan, Froggatt. Subs: Williams, Huckerby, Telfer, Shilton, Hedman.