FULL TIME: Kranjcar strike enough to see off flat Hammers (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

FULL TIME: Kranjcar strike enough to see off flat Hammers

9:38pm Tuesday 8th April 2008 in

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West Ham 0
Portsmouth 1
(Barclays Premier League)

WEST Ham's poor form continued as FA Cup heroes Portsmouth sealed a third consecutive victory at Upton Park tonight.

In a flat match of little quality, Niko Kranjcar provided the one touch of class to win it.

On 61 minutes, the Croatia international controlled Sulley Muntari's pass just outside the box and then fired a precise shot into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Irons keeper Robert Green.

Hammers had the first opportunity of the game on 17 minutes. Bobby Zamora latched onto Nobby Solano's loose pass, rounded Pompey stopper David James but put his shot wide from a tight angle.

It was the best the home side could muster.

Dean Ashton had the only other notable attempt at goal, blasting a shot straight at James.

At the other end, Daid Nugent fired a shot just wide of the target from the edge of the box.

The defeat leaves Hammers with just one win from the last seven outings.

West Ham: Green, Neill, McCartney, Ferdinand, Spector, Solano (Pantsil 83), Mullins (Cole 78), Parker, Boa Morte, Zamora (Sears 57), Ashton. Unused subs: Tomkins, Walker.