United v City: half time report

An excellent first half display from West Ham has given Avram Grant's side a priceless lead at the break in tonight's Carling Cup smei final first leg.

Grant - who, according to a string of rumours, is in charge of the Hammers for the final time - has seen his team control the first half against a Birmingham team set on defending.

Despite creating a string of goalscoring opportunities, the only goal of the half came from the right foot of Mark Noble on 13 minutes. The Canning Town-born midfielder fired home an unstoppable volley - albeit from an impossible angle - after the ball fell to him following a game of ping-pong inside the City box.

Victor Obinna, Freddie Sears, James Tomkins and Jonathan Spector - who went closest to adding a second with a scorching volley that was well saved by the busy Ben Foster - have all had chances, to no avail.

Meanwhile Birmingham's only notable chance came from the head of Dann, who failed to threaten Rob Green's goal when nodding comfortably over from a free kick.

We'll have more for you at the final whistle.