Victor Obinna opens account for Hammers in Carling Cup
Published:Brentford snatched the upset of the Carling Cup third round, but West Ham’s victory in Sunderland was arguably just as surprising.
With just one point from five games, West Ham have struggled at the start of the Premier League season whilst Sunderland sit comfortably in 11th.
Victor Obinna scored his first goal for the club and his partnership with Frederic Piquionne impressed Avram Grant as the West Ham manager looks to ease the pressure on Carlton Cole.
Cole was rested for the game which saw Sunderland’s goalkeeper Simon Mignolet frustrate the Hammers attack with a series of fine saves that kept his team in the game.
The attacking intent shown by West Ham will please their fans as they look to escape a relegation dog fight, which, five games into the season looks like a real possibility for the Hammers.
West Ham are 11/10 third favourites to be relegated and may struggle with two London derbies, at home to Tottenham and away to Fulham, in their next two Premier League games.
It’s possible that West Ham can emerge from those two games still on one point and Avram Grant would be under huge pressure to take points from their next two games against Wolves and Newcastle.
Failure to do so would see Avram get the sack and he is currently 5/2 in the Premier League betting to be the next manager to leave.
West Ham were 7/2 to win in Sunderland and the Hammers are shorter at 5/2 to win at home to Tottenham on Saturday.
Spurs are unbeaten at Upton Park in the last four season, winning three time and are 11/10 to curb the Hammers enthusiasm with a win.
Blackpool are 1/3 favourites for relegation with Wigan also odds on at 4/5. See the full Barclays Premier League football betting markets here.
