Glenn Roeder bought himself some precious time as West Ham manager as the Hammers recorded their first Premiership away win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road this afternoon. The Londoners had conceded an incredible twelve goals in their two previous away trips to Everton and Blackburn, but goals from Paolo di Canio, Freddie Kanoute and Jermain Defoe secured the victory, despite goals from Hermann Hreidarsson and Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland for the home side.
The reversal continued George Burley's side's miserable start to the campaign, which has not seen them secure a league win since August. West Ham, buoyed by recent wins over Southampton and Chelsea, began solidly and deservedly went in front in the 21st minute. Clever approach play from Kanoute and Don Hutchison saw the latter play di Canio through, and with just Matteo Sereni to beat, the Italian striker kept his nerve to side foot home.
The visitors retained their one goal advantage until just after the hour, when Icelandic international Hreidarsson equalised with an instinctive volley from a Mark Venus free-kick. Michael Carrick hit the bar soon after and Kanoute went close again, but the Frenchman did restore West Ham's lead in the 72nd minute when he finished from eight yards out following a surging run from Hutchison.
Shaka Hislop, who kept his place in goal despite the return to fitness of summer signing David James, held a curling Reuser free-kick moments later but West Ham went two goals clear in injury-time as Danish debutant Thomas Gaardsoe was robbed by substitute Jermain Defoe. The livewire England Under-21 striker advanced on Sereni and rolled the ball home.
There was enough time for Ipswich captain Matt Holland to score the goal of the game, a 30-yard swerving effort into the top corner, but it was scant consolation for a side with just one victory in their opening eleven matches.
Filed by Shane Murray
