West Ham sink Ipswich

Cole shields the ball from Peralta at Upton Park

West Ham United 3-1 Ipswich Town
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West Ham dominated their match against Ipswich at Upton Park and deservedly beat George Burley's strangely subdued team.

Marcus Bent gave Ipswich a lifeline with a 71st minute equaliser after Steve Lomas' first-half strike had put the Hammers in front.

But subsequent goals from Paolo di Canio and Jermain Defoe ensured West Ham's dominance was eventually reflected in the scoreline.

Ipswich - fighting for their Premiership survival - lacked urgency and failed to take the game to the Hammers.

  Key moments

36 mins: Lomas scores for West Ham

71 mins: Bent equalises

74 mins: Di Canio scores for West Ham

86 mins: Defoe scores the Hammer's third

With relegation rivals Bolton and Fulham picking up points, Burley's team find themselves further adrift of safety.

The first half started promisingly, with both teams creating early chances.

Marcus Bent shot wide in the seventh minute and Marcus Stewart just missed the target for the visitors after 11 minutes.

But Town - in desperate need of points - were sluggish defensively and almost gifted West Ham an early goal.

Fabian Wilnis - in the Ipswich side for the injured Chris Makin - was fortunate to deflect Sebastian Schemmel's cross inches wide of his own net.

We still have everything to play for

Ipswich boss George Burley

But the home team's pressure told and West Ham took the lead after 36 minutes.

Lomas surged into the Ipswich penalty area and - completely unmarked - headed home Di Canio's cross.

Another defensive error led to a Cole shot from 16 yards, which Matteo Sereni superbly saved.

Sereni was called into action again after 42 minutes, saving from Di Canio as the home team began to dominate.

West Ham continued to cause Ipswich problems at the start of the second half.

Sereni flapped at Di Canio's cross and the ball fell to Frederic Kanoute, who shot over from short range.

Winterburn challenges Bent

Sixto Peralta - disappointing on his return to the team - was replaced by Finidi George after 54 minutes but he had little immediate effect.

Schemmel played a one-two with Di Canio before forcing another save from Sereni.

Town did not register a shot on target until 61 minutes, when David James comfortably saved from Bent's long-range effort.

Surprise goal

Lomas spurned another chance before Ipswich - against the run of play - equalised.

Tomas Repka should have cleared his lines but a poor header gifted Tommy Miller a chance.

Miller's header was cleared off the line but Bent reacted fastest and slotted home.

Now that we have got to 40 points - the usual milestone for safety - we need to keep our eye on the ball

West Ham boss Glenn Roeder

Di Canio soon restored the Hammers' lead with a typically flamboyant goal.

Sereni parried the Italian's initial 25-yard shot, but Di Canio volleyed home the rebound with the outside of his right boot.

Substitute Defoe increased the home team's advantage with a shot from the edge of the area.

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West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Lomas, Sinclair, Carrick, Cole, Kanoute (Defoe 76), Di Canio (Moncur 90).
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Labant, Pearce.

Ipswich: Sereni, Wilnis, Clapham, McGreal, Hreidarsson, Venus, Holland, Wright (Tommy Miller 46), Peralta (George 54), Stewart, Marcus Bent.
Subs Not Used: Marshall, Armstrong, Darren Bent.
Booked: Tommy Miller, Marcus Bent.

Att: 33,871

Ref: A Wiley (Burntwood).