Hardly another kick of the ball as Lee Mason sounds the final whistle, capping off a huge victory for the Hammers!
90' +3
M. Noble has scored a goal for West Ham United! Assist by A. Carroll.
GOAAAAAAAAaL! Surely it's all over now! Mark Noble receives a nice pass from Andy Carroll, and he finishes it inside the far post! Marshall should have done better, but it's all said and done now!
90' +1
West Ham trying to take every second they can off the clock as they play it deep into the Cardiff end. Carroll misplays it and it's behind for a goal kick, and a chance for Cardiff to push forward again.
90'
A. Diarra gets yellow.
Bellamy breaks forward with pace for Cardiff, and Diarra takes him down to receive the fifth yellow of the game for West Ham.
Four minutes of added time indicated by the assistant referee.
89'
It's West Ham with a chance now!! Downing does brilliantly to elude defenders and send a ball in, but it's just an inch behind Carroll who got into an excellent position!
87'
Adrian now collects an errant ball, and goes down rather cheaply looking for a foul. The home supporters are having none of his time-wasting techniques.
86'
Better this from Cardiff! Kim picks out Eikrem who gets off a thunderous volley, but luckily for West Ham, it's hit straight at Adrian.
84'
It's a corner for Cardiff that results in a goal kick. Adrian content on taking his time, and he's hearing it from the Cardiff supporters.
82'
Plenty of possession outside the box for Cardiff, but West Ham are clogging the area, making it extremely hard to break through.
80'
Time is running out for Cardiff as we enter the final ten minutes. However, the Hammers have dropped 14 points from winning positions this season, more than any other team in the Premier League
Minute
Description
78'
A. Cornelius enters the game and replaces M. Hudson.
Cornelius on now, as Solskjaer brings on a striker for a defender. It's just the eighth appearance of the season for Cardiff's record signing.
77'
All these substitutions have slowed down the pace of the match, exactly what West Ham could have wanted.
75'
A. Diarra enters the game and replaces J. Collison.
Collinson gives way now for Diarra. It's a tactical change for the Hammers, as Diarra will likely slot in at center-back to fill the void left by Tomkins.
72'
A. Carroll enters the game and replaces C. Cole.
J. Tomkins gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
RED CARD TO TOMKINS! The center-back, already on a yellow, clips Campbell and is shown a second yellow! West Ham's task just got much more difficult!
LOUD roar from the away supporters now as Andy Carroll comes on for his first action in eight months! Encouraging sign for the Hammers.
71'
It's Bellamy who takes it. His curling effort dips just inches wide of the near post!
70'
R. Johnson gets yellow.
Roger Johnson shown yellow now, as he takes down Campbell just outside the box. Cardiff in a dangerous position here!
68'
It's shocking to see how much Craig Bellamy looks like Macklemore! Separated at birth?
67'
Caulker rises to meet the corner in a crowded penalty area, and it hits off his head and behind for a goal kick. It appeared as though Caulker couldn't see the ball.
66'
Pressure continues from Cardiff! This time it's Theophile-Catherine picking out Caulker, but it's cleared for a corner kick.
65'
M. Eikrem enters the game and replaces G. Medel.
Here he is! It's a Premier League debut for Magnus Wolff Eikrem.
63'
Bellamy picks out Whittingham this time at the top of the box, who gets his shot off, but it takes a slight deflection and flies safely into the hands of Adrian.
62'
Bellamy's cross is put into a dangerous area, but it isn't attacked well and rolls behind for a goal kick.
61'
J. Tomkins gets yellow.
Tomkins is shown yellow now for a tackle from behind, right by the corner flag. Another chance for Cardiff to create something from a set piece here.
59'
Lovely stuff here from Cardiff! Massive pressure on the West Ham goal here!
58'
INCREDIBLE SAVE BY ADRIAN!! Brilliant stuff from the West Ham keeper! Bellamy does well to pick out Campbell from the right, who shoots it first time, but Adrian reacts splendidly to just get a finger to it and put it off the bar and behind for a corner.
57'
ANOTHER PENALTY APPEAL FOR CARDIFF! This time it's Frazier Campbell dragged down in the box, but Lee Mason says no! Contact was obvious, but Campbell's theatrics may have scared off Mason.
56'
Solskjaer urging his players to keep their pace, but West Ham are looking to slow the game down every chance they get.
55'
STAT ATTACK: West Ham are without a league win since November, a 3-0 drubbing of Fulham at Upton Park
53'
Jarvis again now causing trouble for Theophile-Catherine, as he controls well and gets into space to get a shot off, but it's pushed just wide of the far post.
52'
Appeals for a penalty now, as McCartney is getting himself into all sorts of trouble. Campbell plays the ball into his arm, but Mason sees nothing wrong with it and play is forced to continue.
50'
G. McCartney gets yellow.
As Cardiff break the other way, Noone is taken down hard by McCartney that prompts an easy decision from Lee Mason to show the defender a yellow card.
49'
Vital intervention by Hudson now at the other end! Cole is nearly played in, but Hudson scurries and clears the ball from danger.
47'
Bellamy delivers a wonderful ball into the box, with pace, but Hudson puts far too much on his header and it flies over! It needed just the faintest of touches, as Hudson was behind the West Ham defence.
46'
C. Bellamy enters the game and replaces P. Odemwingie.
It will be Bellamy who comes on here, after missing the last two months with a knee injury. He somewhat surprisingly replaces Peter Odemwingie, who was one of Cardiff's most dangerous players in the first half.
Cardiff get us going in the second half, as they kick-off and proceed to win a free kick in the attacking half as Kim in fouled from thirty-five yards out.
45' +10
G. Medel gets yellow.
Gary Medel is shown a yellow now, for I have no idea what. He was on the harsher end of that challenge, but perhaps said something to referee Lee Mason who was having none of it.
And that's the last action of a lengthy first half, as Lee Mason blows his whistle and the teams pour into the tunnel for a much needed break.
45' +8
Jarvis runs down the left, and he's causing Theophile-Catherine all sorts of problems! He picks out Taylor, but his shot is wide of the goal.
45' +6
The corner is cleared, but the ball is played back in for Roger Johnson. His header is poor, however, as Marshall collects.
45' +5
West Ham show a bit more urgency, as they move up the field with pace and win a corner.
45' +3
Appeals for a penalty! Noone gets onto the end of a loose ball, and goes to ground after a minor coming together with McCartney, but Mason is having none of it.
45' +2
West Ham are content on passing the ball around in their own half, and they pay for it as a giveaway sends Cardiff the other way.
45'
The assistant referee has indicated there will be 10 minutes of added time due to Demel's lengthy injury break.
44'
Cardiff work back up the pitch and win a corner, but they concede possession with a foul inside the box.
43'
That goal is a big blow to Cardiff, who were looking their most dangerous in the last 10 or so minutes. They will have to play from behind now, not an easy task for a team that has scored the second fewest goals in the Premier League this season.
42'
C. Cole has scored a goal for West Ham United! Assist by M. Jarvis.
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!! Excellent finish from Carlton Cole, who finishes off a lovely passing move from West Ham! Noble flicks it over the top for Jarvis, who crosses it for Cole and his volley sends the ball straight into the top corner. No chance there for Marshall!
39'
GREAT SAVE ADRIAN! Lovely movement from Cardiff, as Kim picks out Noone who turns and fires from just outside the box, but Adrian sprawls to his left to make a diving save. Much better though, from the hosts.
37'
Cardiff take back possession now, but they are forced to play it back to Marshall in goal, which prompts a couple of boos from the supporters.
35'
A replay of Medel's shot is finally shown, and it looks like the ball never did cross the line! Still, there's absolutely no excuse for Lee Mason not to have a look at it. That's the reason goal-line technology was brought in!
33'
West Ham break the other way now, and Downing provides a nice ball in, but Hudson recovers well and turns it out for a corner. Roger Johnson gets on the end of it, but it rolls harmlessly wide for a goal kick.
31'
CONTROVERSY! IS IT A GOAL?! Medel streaking in and has a go, which deflects off Roger Johnson, onto the bar and looked to have crossed the line. Adrian scrambles to recover, and wins a free kick. Lee Mason won't even look at the replay!
30'
Encouraging stuff from Cardiff! Noone runs down the left with plenty of pace, gets by McCartney far too easily, and picks out Campbell, but his header flies over the bar.
29'
The home supporters urge their team on, which has seem to put a bit of life back into Solskjaer's team. Odemwingie roaming around the attacking third, providing some good balls into the box, but they're dealt with by West Ham.
27'
STAT ATTACK: West Ham and Cardiff met in the 2012 Championship playoff semi-finals, with the Hammers advancing thanks to a commanding 5-0 aggregate score-line
25'
Terrific run from Odemwinge! Lovely bit of skill from the Nigeria international, who eventually picks out Noone, but his shot is blocked well and is out for a corner.
Caulker rises to meet the corner, but it's a bit it soars high and over the bar for a goal kick.
24'
Cardiff show some urgency in getting the pace back into this game
22'
The match has slowed significantly now, with some sloppy play in the midfield from both teams.
20'
Both players go off to get some extra attention, but look to be alright. Mason forgets who was in possession and calls for a drop ball, which is an easy way to cause an injury.
19'
The pace we had before the injury has gone from the match - and now we have another nasty collision, as McCartney and Campbell clash heads. Both payers go down and we have another stoppage.
17'
G. McCartney enters the game and replaces G. Demel.
The match is finally set to resume, as Adrian boots the ball up the pitch and we're back underway!
15'
Warm applause for Guy Demel as he's finally rolled off on a stretcher. Scary site to see, this, and you would hope to see him back to full health sooner rather than later.
12'
Cardiff players are kicking a few balls around to try and stay warm during this delay.
10'
That will be it for Demel. Lengthy delay here as the medical staff tries to put Demel onto a stretcher. George McCartney is warming up on the sidelines ready to replace him.
8'
Bad news for West Ham as Guy Demel is down and looks a if he won't be able to continue after colliding with Frazier Campbell. He looks to have landed awkwardly on his ankle.
7'
Close now for Cardiff! Odemwingie sends in a wonderful cross from the left that Campbell narrowly misses. The ball in sent in again for Campbell, and he collides with Demel, but appeals for a penalty are dismissed by Lee Mason.
5'
Cardiff break on the counter, but it's given away cheaply and West Ham are back putting pressure on the home goal. It's another corner for the Hammers!
4'
INCREDIBLE SAVE BY MARSHALL!! Downing sends in a cross that gets by everyone and rattles off the post. It falls to Tomkins but Marshall does excellently to scurry over and make a desperation save!
2'
West Ham enjoying a nice start, with nearly everyone getting a touch of the ball in the attacking half. They win a free kick, but the ball in eludes everyone and goes out for a goal kick.
1'
Lee Mason blows his whistle, and West Ham get us started in their white shirts and light blue shorts, moving right to left. Cardiff wearing their red shirts and black shorts.
Good afternoon Premiership fans around the world, and welcome to today's intriguing fixture between West Ham United and Cardiff City in Wales. I'm Alex Moretto and I'll be your in-game host, guiding you through the match LIVE as it happens!
Cardiff City begin a new era today under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who arrived from Norwegian club Molde. The former Manchester United forward made his managerial debut last weekeng, leading a rejuvenated Blueshirts squad to a 2-1 away victory over Newcastle in the FA Cup. This afternoon he will look to carry that momentum into his Premier League debut, with Cardiff sitting just one point from safety.
While Cardiff start to write the next chapter in their history, Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to avoid a similar fate to that of former Blueshirts manager Malky Mackay. West Ham are in terrible form at the moment, sitting one point from the bottom in the Premier League. Allardyce did nothing to help his cause during the cup break, losing 5-0 to Nottingham Forest in the league cup and 6-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup all in less than a week. Ownership has shown a lot of patience due to injuries, but time is running out for West Ham – Allardyce needs points, or the current third longest serving manager in the Premier League could soon be out of a job.
The teams have been announced, so let's have ourselves a look at today's starting line-ups:
CARDIFF CITY XI (4-4-2): Marshall; Theophile-Catherine, Hudson, Caulker, John; Whittingham, Medel, Kim, Noone; Campbell, Odemwingie. SUBS: Bellamy, Cornelius, Eikrem, Gunnarsson, Lewis, McNaughton, Turner.
Solskjaer has only made a couple changes to the Cardiff team from their last league match at Arsenal, as Kevin Theophile-Catherine returns to the XI, while the injured Jordan Mutch is replaced by Peter Odemwingie. Some encouraging news as well for Cardiff fans, as Craig Bellamy returns to the bench after a two month absence, while new signing Magnus Wolff Eirkem could also make his debut as a substitute.
WEST HAM XI (4-5-1): Adrian; Demel, Tomkins, Johnson, Rat; Downing, Noble, Collison, Taylor, Jarvis; Cole. SUBS: Carroll, Cole, Diame, Diarra, Jaaskelainen, Maiga, McCartney.
Andy Carroll makes his return to the bench, after a lengthy eight month absence due to a foot injury, while James Tomkins and Stewart Downing make their return to the starting XI. Kevin Nolan is serving a suspesion after picking up a red card in their last league match at Fulham. Journeyman Roger Johnson picks up his first league start in central defence for West Ham due to injuries, on loan from league one side Wolverhampton.
The difference between the two managers is undeniable – in one dugout is a boss presiding over his first ever Premier League match, while in the other, a man with a proven track record, fighting to live another day. At the end of it all, both teams are in desperate need of points to avoid the drop zone, which should make for a genuinely entertaining contest.
A rowdy ovation from the Cardiff City fans as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's name is announced over the loud speaker. The manager takes the microphone and rallies the fans, which elicits another great applause from the home supporters!
HALF-TIME CARDIFF CITY 0-1 WEST HAM. Carlton Cole has given the visitors a much needed lead thanks to his fourth goal of the season. Cardiff will feel hard done by this one goal deficit, as they appeared the better of the two teams in the first half. Neither team has been all that impressive, however, and you get the sense that the game is still there for the taking.
STAT ATTACK: Cardiff have won just one match this season in which they conceded first, a 3-2 victory over Manchester City in their first home fixture of the season.
Will we see Craig Bellamy come on in the second half for Cardiff as they search for a way back into the match? New signing Magnus Wolff Eikrem also looks poised to make his debut.
Vincent Tan looks none too impressed.
FULL-TIME CARDIFF CITY 0-2 WEST HAM. It's a massive win for the Hammers, who can now put a dreadful week behind them. This result will take some of the pressure off Sam Allardyce, who also has his talisman back in Andy Carroll. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will feel gutted to leave the match with nothing, as Cardiff were the better side for close to the full 90 minutes. Goals from Carlton Cole and Mark Noble prove to be the difference, as the Hammers pick up a vital three points.
The win vaults West Ham ahead of Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, and out of the relegation zone on goal difference. The loss proves detrimental to Solskjaer, which as a result of wins from teams around them, sees Cardiff drop into the relegation zone, and just one point clear of the bottom.
That's it from me today. I'm Alex Moretto, and I'd like to thank you all for joining me this afternoon for a peak inside Cardiff City Stadium. Good bye!
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