West Ham Utd v Leicester City: half time report

West Ham go into the half time break in a commanding position after scoring twice within the space of two first half minutes.

Sam Allardyce - who faced criticism for the way his team played at Brighton on Monday despite winning 1-0 - reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the visit of the managerless Foxes, who fired former manager Sven Goran Erikkson last week after just a dozen games.

That change proved to be a good call as his side scored twice within 90 seconds midway through the first half to go into the break with a deserved two goal advantage.

Mark Noble, who has recently begun to find his form once again was involved in both West Ham goals, the first of which arrived on 19 minutes. Noble's slide-rule pass to John Carew was delivered to the far post by the big Norwegian and nodded home by a delighted Sam Baldock, scoring his third goal for the Hammers.

Around 90 seconds later West Ham found themselves two-up and once again Noble was heavily involved. His ball over the top of the defence found Joey O'Brien on the right flank. The former Bolton man's pull back was perfect for Julien Faubert who fired home beyond City 'keeper Schmeichel to double United's lead.

Robert Green, returning from a recent injury had very little to do although the England stopper made one exceptional save as the half entered injury time with the visitors producing their best work of the half.

West Ham have been forced to make one substitution already, with Freddie Piquionne replacing John Carew. The Norwegian appeared to be withdrawn by Sam Allardyce on the half-hour mark in protest at rookie referee James Linington's policy of constantly penalising the veteran striker.

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

West Ham Utd: Green, O'Brien, McCartney, Faye, Reid, Nolan, Collison, Noble, Faubert, Baldock, Carew (Piquionne 31).

Subs: Boffin, Tomkins, Diop, Sears.

Booked: Carew (19), O'Brien (40).

Leicester City: Schmeichel, Peltier, Bamba, St. Ledger, Konchesky, Abe, King, Wellens, Vassell (Dyer 45), Nugent, Beckford.

Subs: Weale, Pantsil, Johnson, Howard.

Booked: Konchesky (29).

Referee: James Linington.

Assistants: Brett Huxtable and Richard Kendall.

Fourth Official: Michael George.