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.
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