Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham 2 Portsmouth 0: Diamanti and Kovac secure precious win
Alessandro Diamanti scored his third goal in as many games to maintain West Ham's hopes of survival and keep Portsmouth rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League.[LNB]The Italian forward struck from the penalty spot at Upton Park midway through the first half of a match short on quality, clear-cut opportunities or reasons to suggest either team deserves to be higher in the table. Radoslav Kovac added the second just before the end.[LNB]Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola will be hoping this was a repeat of last year's Boxing Day win over Pompey as his side then went on a decent run in the second half of the season.[LNB]Pompey had never lost at West Ham's ground in the Premier League but they never looked like continuing that run with this feeble effort.[LNB] Mixed emotions: West Ham are jubilant after Diamanti's opener, while Pompey's Steve Finnan looks dismayed[LNB] [LNB]To make matters worse for Pompey boss Avram Grant, he now losesseveral players because of the African Nations Cup - not that they madean impact in this game.[LNB]Pompey will be reminded they have to defy the odds to retain theirtop-flight status this season as most teams bottom at Christmas go down- West Brom in 2005 are the only team to avoid it in Premier Leaguehistory.[LNB]Grant's men, however, were coming off the back of a morale-boostingvictory over Liverpool and there was a mood of optimism during theweek. The Hammers also had a decent result in their previous game,against Chelsea, but it did not mean this clash was any sort ofspectacle.[LNB]Both sides were nervous, struggled to keep possession and gave aclear explanation as to why they started the festive period 19th and20th in the table.[LNB]The first significant moment came when Zola was forced into achange, in the 16th minute, when Mark Noble needed treatment for aknock, with attack-minded Luis Jimenez coming on for his firstappearance since scoring against Burnley in November.[LNB] Christmas comes late: Kovac seals a priceless three points[LNB][LNB]With chances not being created, referee Lee Probert was kept busy,firstly by Aruna Dindane's fouls on Diamanti while Scott Parker earneda yellow. Michael Brown also went in the book for a knee into Parker'sthigh.[LNB]With the tackles flying in, it was no surprise that a mis-timed challenge led to West Ham's 23rd minute opener.[LNB]The move started with Julien Faubert's ball forward for Parker,Younes Kaboul failing to clear when he had a chance and GuillermoFranco getting blocked from his route to goal.[LNB]It fell invitingly for Jimenez, who looked to be tripped by formerHammers midfielder Hayden Mullins but replays showed that Brown was theculprit.[LNB]Either way, Diamanti confidently tucked away the penalty whenProbert pointed to the spot. After goals against Bolton and Chelsea inhis last games, it took his overall tally for the season to five.[LNB] Contrasting fortunes: Zola and West Ham climb out of the bottom three with victory, while Pompey stay bottom[LNB][LNB]Jack Collison almost took advantage of a quick free-kick to doublethe lead - but the Welshman volleyed over the crossbar. He then firedjust wide from close range in first-half stoppage-time when Parkerpulled the ball back from the byline.[LNB]Grant needed to change things drastically so brought on Kevin-PrinceBoateng, who had been struggling with a virus ahead of the match, forNadir Belhadj. It did not take long for Dindane to be replaced eitherafter his woeful first half, with Kanu being brought on.[LNB]They could have fallen further behind two minutes after the restartwhen Diamanti's angled drive deflected off Steve Finnan and AsmirBegovic, in goal as David James is still nursing a calf complaint, hadto leap across his goal to pull off a fine save. Diamanti also wentover with a cheeky 45-yard lob. [LNB]Boateng caused the hosts problems and almost embarrassed HeritaIlunga when the Hammers full-back left a ball for Robert Green tocollect. Boateng took the ball away from goalkeeper and defender buthis finish went wide.[LNB]Pompey striker Frederic Piquionne had an effort saved late on, while Collison and Bahrami both went close for the hosts.[LNB]Kovac headed home Jimenez's free-kick a minute from full-time to seal the win.[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB] Festive cheer: Zola wants another Boxing Day bounce against PompeyAndy Townsend's Boot Room: What can City do with £14m turkey Toure?WEST HAM UNITED FC
