West Ham United's disappointing start to the season continued tonight as they bowed out of the UEFA Cup following a 3-0 loss to Palermo at the Renzo Barbera Stadium.
Palermo midfielder Fabio Simplicio struck either side of half-time before David Di Michele added his team's third goal in the 67th minute to see the Italians advance through to the group stages.
Alan Pardew's men controlled the opening half and had plenty of chances to overcome the 1-0 first leg deficit.
However, Palermo goalkeeper Alberto Fontana had an outstanding night to deny the Londoners on numerous occasions.
Alan Pardew's surprising decision to leave striker Bobby Zamora out of his starting XI in favour of Carlton Cole proved a shrewd move, with the latter creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
But the West Ham boss was left disappointed as his team's hopes of reaching the group stages of the competition were extinguished.
The Hammers began in confident fashion and almost took the lead with five minutes played.
Carlos Tevez got past his marker, surged inside the area and fired in a dipping volley which Fontana palmed away for a corner.
Shortly after, Cole headed wide from Paul Konchesky's free-kick as West Ham continued to push forward.
At the other end, Di Michele tried his luck from the distance but his shot did not trouble Roy Carroll.
Carroll did well to save Fabio Simplicio's powerful effort as Palermo applied more pressure in midfield.
Midway through the first half, a defensive misunderstanding between James Collins and Danny Gabbidon could have cost the Hammers dearly, as Di Michele intercepted the pass and shot from inside the area - but Carroll denied him.
West Ham had plenty of chances to take the lead before the break but found in in-form Fontana their worst enemy.
The Palermo keeper stood strong to deny Cole's effort on target and his next save proved all the more impressive as he palmed away Harewood's acrobatic shot from inside the area.
One minute later, West Ham fans could not believe their luck as Fontana palmed Collins' header over the crossbar.
Just when West Ham were playing at their best, Palermo scored just before the interval.
Eugenio Corini's free-kick from the left found Simplicio, whose right footed effort towards the far post surprised Carroll.
Palermo picked up were they left off after the break and could have extended their lead in the 53rd minute had Carroll not made a fantastic save from Cristian Zaccardo's powerful strike.
West Ham replied with Cole latching onto Lee Bowyer's cross but his header going inches wide of the far post.
West Ham's hopes of a comeback were crushed shortly after the hour mark with Simplicio striking his second of the evening.
Di Michele got easily past Gabbidon and served an unmarked Simplicio inside the area, who lobbed the ball past Carroll and into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Palermo struck again with a fast break catching West Ham's defence off-guard.
There was little Carroll could do to save Di Michele's bullet from close range.
Andrea Caracciolo could have completed a wonderful night for the hosts with a minute remaining but his right-footed effort fizzed wide, much to the relief of a dejected Carroll.
