Three-goal second half sees West Ham United get 3-0 win over Hull City
LONDON (AP) — West Ham gave its European ambitions a timely boost as a superb second-half display saw the Hammers beat struggling Hull 3-0 at Upton Park on Sunday.
Sam Allardyce's side was booed off at halftime after a dismal opening period but Hull paid the price for some lackluster finishing as Andy Carroll, Morgan Amalfitano and Stewart Downing all found the net after the interval.
West Ham climbed above Liverpool into seventh while Hull manager Steve Bruce has now overseen just two wins in 15 league games.
The hosts were dreaming of the Champions League when it sat fourth in the middle of December but four league games without a win, including draws against West Brom and Swansea, had dampened expectations.
This victory puts the Hammers back in touch with the top four and was particularly important given their next seven fixtures include Liverpool, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal.
West Ham finally broke through in the 49th minute when Enner Valencia unleashed a stinging shot from 25 yards (meters). As Tigers goalkeeper Allan McGregor parried the ball, Carroll outmuscled Curtis Davies to prod home his fifth goal of the season.
In the 69th, Valencia slid in Amalfitano and the midfielder coolly dinked the ball over McGregror to double West Ham's lead.
Three minutes Alex Song released Downing with a brilliant through ball and the winger held his nerve, tucking home his fifth goal of the campaign.
Hull remains in the relegation zone with 19 points from 22 games.
