West Ham v Sunderland: Line-up & stats
Premier League results/standings
A second half goal from Ilan gave West Ham a crucial win over Sunderland and confirmed Portsmouth’s relegation to the Championship.
In a nervy and tense encounter, Ilan scored just after half-time to end the Hammers’ dismal run of three straight home defeats.
It ended any slim hopes of a Portsmouth avoiding the drop and Avram Grant will focus his attentions on Sunday’s FA-Cup Semi Final with Tottenham.
Gianfranco Zola made two changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Everton last Sunday with Valon Behrami in for the suspended Scott Parker and Ilan, who scored the late equalizer at Goodison Park, replacing Mido.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce chose to stick with the same team that beat Tottenham 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Anton Ferdinand, who left Upton Park in 2008, started in defense but ex-Hammer George McCartney could only make the bench for the visitors.
With Hull having a game in hand, Zola admitted before the game that his side were depending on other results in their quest for survival.
And with Iain Dowie’s side taking an early lead against Burnley, West Ham started nervously as they searched for their first win in seven games.
They should have gone behind too when Darren Bent failed to connect with Steed Malbranque’s dangerous corner after just seven minutes.
Bent then went close with a lob, while at the other end Behrami tested Craig Gordon with a low shot that the Scotland international did well to parry.
A tame opening 30 minutes was brought into life when Gordon handled outside the area but escaped with a yellow card only.
Carlton Cole then broke into the area and squared the ball to Ilan, but the Brazilian slipped when he received the pass and the opportunity was lost.
There was controversy just before half-time when Gordon pulled down Cole but referee Martin Atkinson had already given a foul against the England striker on the ‘keeper.
After a disappointing first half, the Hammers needed some inspiration and found it just five minutes after the restart.
Manuel da Costa’s free-kick was flicked on by Cole into the path of Ilan and the former St Etienne striker guided the ball past Gordon from 10 yards.
Sunderland came close to an equalizer soon after when Lee Cattermole’s drive flew inches wide of Green’s right-hand post.
The Black Cats should have scored on the hour mark when Bent slipped when through on goal after a clever ball from Kenwyne Jones.
A shaky West Ham defense looked vulnerable to conceding at any point and had to withstand a barrage of Sunderland attacks.
Matthew Upson, who limped off for treatment earlier in the game, encapsulated the battling spirit of his side by heading away several crosses as the game wore on.
Cole almost added gloss to the scoreline in injury time when he shot over when through on goal.
There was disbelief for the hosts when Franco’s goal was ruled out but it didn’t matter as West Ham celebrated a long-awaited three points.
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