West Ham 1 Birmingham 2

Last updated : 05 October 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Sharp-shooting Stern John's double-barrelled blast killed off West Ham's mini revival as the Hammers were left with a huge dose of the Blues.

The Trinidadian international followed up his midweek Worthington Cup hat-trick at Leyton Orient with another East London raid.

"All strikers like to score and I've never had any doubts about his ability," smiled Steve Bruce after seeing Birmingham record their first away victory of the season.

"We played very well. We had a game plan to take the match to West Ham and we caused them problems all afternoon. I'm delighted with this victory."

West Ham may have started to steady their season with a three-match unbeaten run but they now find themselves firmly back to square one.

Indeed, they could not have got off to a worse start, for on just three minutes Gary Breen failed to deal with Robbie Savage's routine chip forward and John nipped in quickly and dribbled along the by-line before glancing a low, angled shot inside David James' near post.

But just as the confidence began to drain from the visibly shaken Hammers, skipper Paolo Di Canio's unselfish 16th minute pass allowed the overlapping Joe Cole to out-pace Jeff Kenna and level with an acute eight-yard shot.

Leading by example, Di Canio himself then sent a bullet-like diving header flying past the near post, while the deceptive Jermain Defoe fired inches wide as the rejuvenated East Enders steadily started to take control with some mesmerising movements in a free-flowing, end-to-end showdown.

It was to prove short-lived though and two minutes before the interval the fragile West Ham defence shattered once more as the fleet-footed John collected the ball from Stan Lazaridis before brilliantly out-witting the lunging, Tomas Repka and restoring City's lead with a low 12-yard shot.

Moments into the second half, Clinton Morrison wastefully sliced wide while at the other end Trevor Sinclair, Repka and Di Canio each found themselves frustrated in their efforts to hit the target.

"We took a giant stride forward at Chelsea last week but two back today," said Roeder after the match.

"Unacceptable defending saw us give away two very cheap goals that left us with a mountain to climb."

Roeder's bottom-placed side left the pitch to a chorus of boos and are still without a victory at Upton Park.

"We were non-existent in the second half and I can certainly understand the crowds reaction," he added