Rampant West Ham booked a first League Cup semi-final for 20 years after banging holders Manchester United out of the Carling Cup at snowy Upton Park. Former Red Devil Jonathan Spector was in inspired form, scoring with a header and a close-range finish to nick his first goals in English football.The disjointed visitors, before unbeaten this season, conceded again as Carlton Cole nodded in after the break. Cole then turned Jonny Evans to fire simply past Tomas Kuszczak.
Though Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson predictably did not select his strongest team, the preliminary XI could still boast the likes of Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher and Javier Hernandez. So it still registers as something of a shock that West Ham, bottom of the Premier League, ran out such persuasive and deserved winners against the league leaders - especially in light of the Londoners' poor start to this season.
And under-pressure Hammers boss Avram Grant may now insist they are over their bad patch after a performance that was rich in assure, both individually - Nigerian striker Victor Obinna was hugely impressive as he created all four goals - and collectively.
The match started fast in freezing conditions, with both teams attacking each other as the play moved quickly from end-to-end. Obinna even tried an determined free-kick from over 30 yards before the end, displaying the confidence coursing through the veins of a west Ham side which notched their biggest win over United in 80 years.
