Blackburn missed the chance to go top of the Premier League as manager Paul Ince suffered a first defeat as Rovers boss at his former club West Ham.

Calum Davenport headed West Ham ahead before Mark Noble’s scuffed shot went in off Christopher Samba for a second.

Jason Roberts poked in for Rovers, who were denied a leveller when Matt Derbyshire was dubiously ruled offside.

Roberts had a penalty saved by Robert Green before Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole struck injury time West Ham goals.

The victory will relieve the pressure on Hammers boss Alan Curbishley, while Ince will be left rueing defeat at a club whose fans he upset nearly 20 years ago.
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Manchester City eased to their first Premier League victory of the season against 10-man West Ham.

City hit the woodwork twice through Tal Ben-Haim’s deflected shot and Martin Petrov’s free-kick before West Ham had Mark Noble sent off for two bookings.

The visitors were under the cosh but held out until Daniel Sturridge rifled into the roof of the net on 65 minutes.

Stephen Ireland crossed for Elano to smash in a second before setting up the Brazilian to volley home City’s third.
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England boss Fabio Capello saw Dean Ashton score twice to help West Ham make a winning start to the season.

Ashton collected Julien Faubert’s early cross and turned past Paul Scharner before firing into the roof of the net.

The striker then scored from close range after Wigan failed to clear Faubert’s left-wing corner.

Eygpt striker Amr Zaki pulled a goal back with a stunning left-foot volley on his Wigan debut but also missed three golden opportunities to equalise.

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley began the day as the bookmakers’ favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked this season and had nine first-team players already sidelined through injury.

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Aston Villa were left to settle for an Intertoto Cup place after drawing an entertaining game at West Ham, as Everton won to claim fifth place.

Ex-Villa winger Nolberto Solano put the Hammers ahead against his old club with a free kick from the edge of the box.

The visitors soon hit back when Nigel Reo-Coker fed Ashley Young, who slotted past Robert Green to equalise.

Gareth Barry then put Villa ahead after Reo-Coker’s shot was parried, but Dean Ashton ensured honours finished even.
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Manchester United moved to within one win of the Premier League title with a comfortable victory against West Ham.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored from 12 yards after three minutes and bundled home his 40th goal of the season from close range in the 24th minute.

Carlos Tevez added a brilliant third from 25 yards before Nani was sent off for head-butting Lucas Neill.

Dean Ashton pulled one back with an overhead kick, but Michael Carrick drove in a fourth after 58 minutes
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