There's no denying this was a comfortable win for West Ham against opponents who never managed to put the Hammers under any type of serious pressure.

Following the North-east side's win against Premier opponents Stoke in the last round it was obvious that ITV would show this as one of their weekend matches hoping, no doubt, for the type of upset long associated with West Ham or, at the very least, an 'up and 'at em'' performance from the home side.

That neither occurred says much for the way that the Hammers are now playing under the leadership of Zola and Clarke, the East London side denying Hartlepool space and stroking the ball around in a manner that soon quietened what should have been a raucous crowd.

There wasn't a great deal to get excited about as the first half drew to a close as neither side had really troubled the opposing keeper and possession had ebbed and flowed with the Hammers just shading it, but then, with 44 minutes showing on the clock, the excellent and hardworking Behrami latched onto a half chance in the box and stroked the ball home through a forest of legs. Even at that stage, it looked as if it would be enough.

But worse was to follow for the home side a minute or so later when Carlton Cole followed a hopeful punt with little intention, only for defender Nelson to stick out an arm for handball. It looked a penalty on the TV but replays later showed it was outside the box and should have been a free kick and, in fact, as the Linesman was in line it's difficult to see why he didn't get involved. Still, it was interesting to note that none of the Hartlepool players protested - not even Michael Nelson himself - and you wonder if, had the free kick been given, would Nelson have had to have received his marching orders? It mattered little though; the spot kick was taken by Noble who sent the keeper the wrong way. You could almost sense the belief drain away in the League One side.

The second half was much the same as the first with a spirited bit of pressure by Hartlepool being undone by good passing by the Hammers who often held onto the ball for minutes at a time. Rob Green saved well from Liddle just after the hour mark but it was the only shot of note that the locals had to cheer and the Hammers probably came closer with a Cole shot that clipped the post.

Cole was substituted near the end having been booked for a lunge on the keeper in the first half - the incident causing a melee that also resulted in the booking of Ilunga - and then being given a ticking off for having his foot high when going for a 50/50 ball. However, despite the boos from the crowd, Cole had done a good job although Scott Parker was certainly Man of the Match for the way he controlled the midfield, breaking attacks and prompting many for his own side; a superb performance.