Hartlepool United 0
West Ham 2
(FA Cup, fourth round)

THERE was no FA Cup shock at Victoria Road at the weekend as West Ham set up a fifth round clash with Middlesbrough after dispatching League One side Hartlepool.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was delighted with his team's 'highly professional' display as goals from Valon Behrami and a second penalty strike in as many weeks from Mark Noble saw them march serenely on in the planet's most famous cup competition.

However, their hosts began well, defying the 40-place league deficit separating the sides before kick-off.

Michael Mackay forced Scott Parker into a hurried clearance as the Monkey Hangers enjoyed some good possession. But West Ham hit back, and Carlton Cole was denied his sixth goal in as many games by the impressive Arran Lee-Barrett.

The pressure grew throughout the half and the home defence was eventually breached twice in a devastating two-minute spell.

First, Behrami drilled in a shot from 16 yards to break the deadlock, before Noble stepped up to convert from the spot. Referee Lee Mason ruled that Michael Nelson's handball occurred inside the area, although replays suggested otherwise.

That effectively killed off Hartlepool's challenge, and despite a spirited second half performance, the gap proved too big to bridge.

Zola said afterwards: "It was the result we were looking for and we are pleased.

"It wasn't, especially in the second half, a brilliant performance, but maybe we thought we wanted to keep it that way and not risk too much.

"But it was a great result. That's what we wanted and it was very professional."