Hammers beat Millwall against the odds (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Ten man West Ham United claim vital Millwall win

2:26pm Saturday 4th February 2012 in Sport By Simon Mail

Ten man West Ham United battled to a crucial 2-1 win over Millwall at Upton Park this afternoon.

The Championship leaders suffered a major setback in the ninth minute when captain Kevin Nolan was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Jack Smith.

The rest of the first half was fairly even but the Irons grabbed the lead in injury time. Mark Noble's free-kick was knocked back by Winston Reid and Carlton Cole headed the ball in.

Sam Allardyce's side nearly doubled their lead in the second half but Julien Faubert's header cannoned back off the bar.

The visitors equalised midway through the second half when Darius Henderson played the ball to Liam Trotter and he fired a superb half-volley into the top corner of the net.

But the Hammers regained the lead three minutes later in controversial circumstances. Millwall keeper David Forde appeared to be fouled by Faubert after punching the ball clear and Reid volleyed the ball into an empty net.

Millwall pushed forward in search of a second equaliser but the Hammers held on to extend their lead at the top of the table.