West Ham United 2 Hull City 1: match report But they should be encouraged by this performance, as well as the 6-0 victory over Brighton in the previous game at Upton Park, which suggest that West Ham might have drawn a line under the mixed home form which has ultimately cost them automatic promotion. It is also worth nothing that, in four of the past six seasons, the team who finished third in the Championship has ended up winning the play-offs. Allardyce started preparing for Thursday's clash in south Wales after 51 minutes here, withdrawing two-goal Cole with their fate sealed. The striker's first came after 36 minutes when he headed Matt Taylor's excellent corner. His second came three minutes after half-time when he latched on to a searching through-ball by Henri Lansbury before prodding a cool finish beyond Vito Mannone. There were still two moments of concern for West Ham before the final whistle. First captain Kevin Nolan received prolonged treatment on the pitch after he tangled with his own goalkeeper Robert Green. Nolan eventually recovered but was swiftly replaced by George McCartney, with Thursday's first leg in mind. Then Guy Demel and Robert Green both failed to deal with a high ball, allowing Corry Evans to head Hull back into the game. And it could have been worse for the hosts but Richard Garcia's diving header, five minute from time, was ruled out for offside.