[Freddy Adu]

Five-star Hammers rock Derby



Derby County's chances of surviving in the English Premier League were dealt another blow as West Ham United inflicted a demoralising 5-0 defeat on the bottom side in front of their own supporters. A Lee Bowyer double, an own goal by Eddie Lewis, and strikes from Matt Etherington and Nolberto Solano gave West Ham a victory that lifts them into the top half of the table and was their best top flight win in seven years.

Despite the return from injury of Scotland striker Kenny Miller, Derby had failed to muster a single attempt on target by the time Bowyer gave the visitors the lead, four minutes before half-time. The excellent Solano was the architect, his precise delivery from wide allowing Carlton Cole to knock down for the midfielder, who fired a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

The Hammers came out after the break looking like they were determined to wrap things up as soon as possible, and after Luis Boa Morte had sent one good chance straight at the goalkeeper and Matthew Upson had hit the bar, that is just what they did.

Matt Etherington combined with Bowyer before firing home six minutes into the half, and any hope of a Derby fightback was extinguished minutes later when Eddie Lewis scored an unlucky own goal following a shot from his fellow American Jonathan Spector. Lewis looked to have blocked the strike but fell over and inadvertently deflected the ball over the line.

To their credit, Derby did attempt to push forward and get back into the match. But, almost inevitably, they were picked off on the counter-attack.

Solano was once more instrumental with an astute ball out of the defence that sent Carlton Cole clear in a wide position. The former Chelsea striker's cross was as perfectly judged as Bowyer's run and the midfielder finished confidently.

The icing on the cake for the visiting supporters came with just over 20 minutes left, when Solano capped his outstanding display with a free-kick that Bywater never had any chance of stopping on its way to the top corner of the net.

FIFA.com - Five-star Hammers rock Derby