West Ham 2 Birmingham 0

Birmingham suffered their second defeat in 18 games and missed the chance to reach 40 points for the season with a lifeless loss at West Ham.

Alessandro Diamanti's free-kick in first-half stoppage time broke the deadlock and Blues' resolve, before Carlton Cole's header after the break killed off Alex McLeish's men.

Two half-chances from Cameron Jerome was the best Birmingham could offer in reply.

Blues' looked to be heading in at the inteval level until Scott Dann's crude challenge to halt Scott Parker's surge forward and, from the resulting set piece, Diamanti whipped a fine free-kick in the top corner for the opening goal.

On 67 minutes, West Ham extended their lead and again the visitors were playing chase.

This time it was Julien Faubert who got away with a rampaging overlap and his fine cross into the box was met by Cole, who beat Roger Johnson to head the ball home.

The home side sat back and protected their lead after that, although Barry Ferguson and Kevin Phillips blazed over the bar for Blues.

It was a priceless three points for the Hammers and their owners David Sullivan and David Gold, who claimed victory against the club they were in charge of at the start of the season.