BBC SPORT | Football | Eng Prem | Roberts sinks Hammers

West Ham 0-1 West Bromwich Albion

Jason Roberts celebrated his new four-year deal with West Brom by scoring their winner at Upton Park.

The Baggies striker scored the all-important goal in the 28th minute, and though they had to defend resolutely after that, the visitors could have scored more in the second half.

It was a poor goal we conceded and we wasted several chances

West Ham boss Glenn Roeder

But another defeat piles more pressure on West Ham boss Glenn Roeder, whose side remain rooted to the foot of the Premiership.

It was also an unhappy return to action for Hammers star Paolo di Canio, who captained the Hammes on his comeback from knee and foot injuries.

He was replaced by Jermaine Defoe on 75 minutes, with Roeder's switch triggering a chorus of boos from the Upton Park faithful.

West Ham started brightly enough, but the crucial goal came when a punt downfield from home keeper David James was won in an aerial challenge by Darren Moore.

Glenn Roeder and Gary Megson
Contrasting fortunes for Roeder and Megson

The ball fell to Andy Johnson who fed Ronnie Wallwork and his through pass sent Roberts racing clear of Gary Breen.

As James advanced from his line, Roberts made the first repayment on his new contract by calmly rolling the ball to the goalkeeper's right.

The goal sparked more urgency from West Ham but there was no way through.

Even when Baggies keeper Hoult was caught out just short of the hour, fortune favoured the visitors.

I have a theory when Jason gets away one-on-one that the likelihood is that he usually scores

West Brom boss Glenn Roeder

He dispossessed Frederic Kanoute on the edge of the box, only to tee up Edouard Cisse - but the Frenchman's effort was blocked by Sean Gregan.

And for all West Ham's pressing, Roberts came close to a second, when James did well to block his powerful shot.

The majority of the 35,000 crowd showed their displeasure on the final whistle, with West Ham left still looking for their first win of the season.

As for Roberts and West Brom, a second successive victory takes them to 13th.

West Ham: James, Repka, Schemmel, Breen, Winterburn (Dailly 86), Cole, Cisse, Carrick (Lomas 76), Sinclair, Di Canio (Defoe 76), Kanoute.
Subs Not Used: Van Der Gouw, Pearce.

Booked: Cole.

West Brom: Hoult, Balis, Gilchrist, Moore, Clement, Johnson, Wallwork, Gregan, Koumas (Sigurdsson 63), Roberts (James Chambers 86), Hughes (Dobie 50).
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Dichio.

Attendance: 34,957

Referee: A D'Urso (Essex).