West Ham 4
Blackburn 1
(Premier League)

A LATE goal double ensured West Ham made it an unhappy return to Upton Park for Blackburn boss Paul Ince.

The Hammers were holding on to a 2-1 lead deep into stoppage time when goals from Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole sealed an empahtic scoreline for the hosts.

Ince, given a tough time by the home crowd for posing in a Manchester United shirt prior to his move from Upton Park to Old Trafford almost 20 years ago, will no doubt lay into his troops for falling apart in the closing stages of a niggling game.

The Hammers started brightly and went ahead on 12 minutes when Calum Davenport headed in Julien Faubert's corner.

Dean Ashton doubled the advantage eight minutes later, turning in Mark Noble's cross-shot from close range.

But the Hammers went to sleep less than a minute later. Davenport allowed Roberts to turn in the box and the forward prodded low into the corner.

Matt Derbyshire had the ball in the net moments after coming on as a substitute, only for it to be contorverisally ruled out for offside.

The match stepped up a gear soon into the second half when Cole handled Steven Reid's free kick in the box.

Roberts stepped up only to see Robert Green dive low to his left to keep the spot kick out.

For the most part from then on, West Ham looked comfortable sitting off and conceding possession.

And it paid dividends as Rovers struggled to break the hosts' solid back line.

Brett Emerton came closest to forging an equaliser for the visitors, diving in at the far post but seeing his header well saved by Green.

At the other end, Davenport controlled Matty Upson's lofted pass and rifled an effort just past the far post.

Cole then forced Paul Robinson into a fine save with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

It took a touch of class from Wales forward Craig Bellamy - out for three weeks with a hamstring injury - that eventually sealed the win.

He raced onto Lucas Neill's long pass before smashing home past Robinson on the half volley.

And Cole made it four moments later, turning in Scott Parker's pass from close range following good work from Valon Behrami.

West Ham: Green, Behrami, Neill, Upson, Davenport, Faubert (McCartney 60), Parker, Noble (Mullins 81), Etherington, Ashton (Bellamy 68), Cole. Subs not used: Lastuvka, Boa Morte, Reid, Sears.