A brace from Kevin Nolan sent West Ham United on their way to a crucial victory against fellow strugglers Swansea City at the Boleyn Ground this lunchtime. 

However, the game was overshadowed by an untimely red card shown to Andy Carroll, upon his first start in-front of the Upton Park crowd.

Both sides went into the fixture in dreadful form, with the Hammers placed in the bottom three at kick off, whilst the Swans were also looking over their shoulder, after a barrent run of form. 

West Ham, boosted by the return of striker Andrew Carroll, took the game to their Welsh counterparts, with Carroll heading over Swansea goalkeeper Tremmell’s bar early on. 

And the pressure didn’t hault there, buoyed by the Upton Park faithful, the Hammers pressed, with both Nolan and Carroll proving to be a nucience in the Swansea box.

Swansea themselves were rarely a threat to a stubbern Hammers back four, flowing in confidence after a quite brilliant sisplay in the draw against Chelsea on Wednesday evening. 

Nathen Dyer did break the Hammers back line, but saw his rather tame shot well saved by an in-form Adrian. 

Allardyce, the master of relegation dog fights would be proud of such a performance against Chelsea in midweek, were the Hammers were then accused by José Mourinho of playing 19th-century football at Stamford Bridge because of their unapologetic defensiveness and for much of the first 25 minutes. 

James Tomkins volleted high over the bar, as the Hammers cranked up the pressure on a crisp afternoon in East London. 

However, the Hammers would find the lead after 27 minutes, with a combination of Carroll and Nolan, which saw the Boleyn Ground erupt with delight. 

Carroll used his ariel threat to nod down a pin point cross from George McCarthy, which sat up perfectly for captain Kevin Nolan, who controlled the ball, before lashing home on the half volley, as the bright yellow ball flew into the bottom corner, beyond the dive of Tremmell. 

It was a scenario which Nolan is famed for, a late fun into the box, followed by a superb finish and a trademark Chicken Dance by the Hammers Liverpudlian skipper. 

Swansea, who also won for the first time in two months after a 2-0 win against Fulham, almost found an equaliser, as Bony raced clear, but centre back Tomkins chased him down and timed his tackle with aplompb, to preserve the Hammers lead. 

Shelvey dragged a shot wide for the underperforming Swans, before the Hammers had a second in first half stoppage time….. 

Carroll was in superb form upon his return, and caused a corner which Allardyce’s side added a second, as Downing swung a teasing corner in, which went all the way through to an unmarked Nolan, who headed into an empty net, past the desparing dive of the German keeper.  

Fifteen minutes into the second half, Carroll spoiled a superb performance by getting himself sent off in some acramonious circumstances, after a tussle with Chico in the air, Chico fell to the ground quite easily. clutching his face, when in reality, Carroll had left a stray arm out, which caught the Spaniard in the face, which saw the striker recieve his marching orders. 

Swansea didn’t do much, Jonathon De Guzman smashed wide of Adrian’s post, and Nathan Dyer curled just wide of Adrian’s far post. 

The Hammers almost found a third, as Matthew Jarvis side-footed wide of the far post up at the other end. 

David Ngog made his Swansea debut, and headed wide from close range. 

Wilfried Bony tried an acrobatic attempt which whistled past Adrian’s post, as the Hammers hung on to claim three points. 

By Ben Reardon 

@BenReardon1