Cole caps Hammers victory

West Ham shrugged off the impending departure of Craig Bellamy to end Fulham's nine-match unbeaten Barclays Premier League run with a 3-1 win at Upton Park.

David Di Michele capitalised on an error by John Pantsil to give the Hammers an early lead only for Paul Konchesky to level matters.

The Fulham left-back then hacked down Carlton Cole in the 60th minute, allowing Mark Noble to pounce from the spot and Cole sealed the result 15 minutes from time.

The alert Di Michele gave the hosts the lead when he spotted a chance and immediately darted in behind the stranded Pantsil, passing keeper Mark Schwarzer and finishing from close range.

A magnificent 30-yard strike from Konchesky against his former club levelled the scores after 22 minutes but the Fulham left-back then brought down Cole in the area to leave the referee no choice but to point to the spot.

Noble slotted home the penalty and West Ham nearly extended their lead a heartbeat later as Cole's powerful shot whistled inches wide of the left post.

The impressive Cole completed the rout when he combined with Di Michele before finishing, ensuring West Ham's fifth game without defeat and their fourth successive victory over Fulham.

It was a lifeless match but the Hammers will be satisfied with a victory delivered against the backdrop of the latest controversy in Bellamy's career. Bellamy reportedly refused to play for the club on Friday after the Hammers denied him permission to talk to Tottenham.

The Wales striker, the subject of bids from Spurs and Manchester City, was offered a new contract but rejected the offer and stormed out of the training ground.

When Gianfranco Zola named his matchday squad for Fulham, Bellamy's name was missing - a move that would appear to signal the end of the 29-year-old's ill-fated 18-month spell in east London.