West Ham United vs. Norwich City: Final Score 2-1, Hammers hold off Canaries fightback to get deserved win

West Ham United managed to put their recent poor form behind them with a 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Upton Park.

The Hammers got off to a great start as they were awarded a fortunate penalty after Elliott Bennett was judged to have climbed on Winston Reid for a header in the Norwich area. Despite Norwich's protests, Mark Noble gave a typically composed finish from the spot to put his side ahead after 3 minutes.

Norwich were second-best for most of the first half, but almost equalised through Robert Snodgrass, the Scottish winger shaving the post with a dangerous free-kick, but it was one of very few opportunities for the visitors. Mark Bunn had to be alert to keep out a Jack Collison volley with a brilliant save, but the home side's pressure soon told as they doubled their lead straight afterwards, after Mark Noble's fine run resulted in Joey O'Brien picking up the ball in the area to fire home. Once again, the goal was not without controversy, with Alexander Tettey seemingly fouled in the build-up by Carlton Cole.

It could have gotten even worse for Norwich, but thanks to a woeful miss from Cole, they went in at the break two goals behind. A Guy Demel cross gave the big striker an easy finish from two yards with Bunn taken out of the equation, but he somehow managed to shin it high and wide.

If Norwich were aggrieved by the referee's decisions, they were not to get any favours in the second half either, as Harry Kane had a good penalty shout turned down after he was felled in the area by James Tomkins. The game was almost lost not too long afterwards, as Ricardo Vaz Te hit the far post with a header, but Norwich hung on and tried to get back into the game.

In the end, despite being too little, too late, Norwich's goal was still a nice one, Russell Martin sweeping home a fine low volley from Elliot Bennett's cross, although it didn't give Norwich enough time to find an equaliser. It was a good and deserved victory for West Ham, who had looked like getting caught in a relegation battle in recent weeks. And for Norwich, it's a fight they could well find themselves back in after losing their last two games. Chris Hughton managed to instill solidity in them, and they'll need to find it again if they want to stay up.