West Ham 1 Swansea 0

A goal from Andy Carroll, his second in a Hammers shirt, was enough to give West Ham all three points in an entertaining game at Upton Park this afternoon.

It was a game that West Ham could have won by a bigger margin but for the Swansea goalkeeper, Tremmel, who pulled off some decent saves.

With regards to the team news, Big Sam`s selection of Andy Carroll for his first start since 28th November was the big talking point.

After a slow start it was Carroll who engineered the first chance, a flick on, which Kevin Nolan volleyed wide from twelve yards out.

Swansea`s first notable attempt saw De Guzman fire over before Mome Diame saw a shot, from twenty yards, well saved by Tremmel.

Tremmel was again called into action when O`Brien picked out Nolan who saw his side-footed shot saved by the German keeper.

As the half progressed Vaz Te was the next to be foiled by the keeper, diving to his right to keep out a low drive.

Swasea retaliated through Hernandez who jinked past two defenders before seeing his shot blocked. West Ham were looking solid defensively but couldn`t get past Tremmel with the keeper, as half time approached, denying Vaz Te and Nolan again.

Half Time - West Ham 0 Swansea 0

The interval did nothing to blunt Tremmel`s enthusiasm for keeping West Ham at bay, two minutes into the second half the keeper once again saving from Vaz Te.

Carroll then missed a great chance after Nolan and Jarvis combined for the latter to cut the ball back only for Carroll to get under the ball and see his shot clear the bar.

Swansea tried to push forward and Jaaskelainen did well to keep out a Hernandez free kick before Michu, latching on to a cross from Hernandez, headed over from six yards.

Down at the end West Ham were attacking Vaz Te, fed by Nolan, got all tangled up four yards out and couldn`t get a shot off before that man Tremmel, again produced an excellent save to deny Carroll who had produced a low shot from an acute angle.

But Carroll was not to be denied an in the 77th minute the deadlock was finally broken when the on-loan striker gave Tremmel no chance with a bullet header, for his second goal in West Ham colours.

Three very welcome points for the Hammers.

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