Hammers see off Black Cats

West Ham have continued their resurgence as they knocked Sunderland out of the Carling Cup.

Avram Grant's side got on the board in the draw at Stoke City at the weekend and the Hammers enjoyed another away success as they moved into the fourth round of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland record signing Asamoah Gyan marked his first start with a goal as he cancelled out Frederic Piquionne's first goal in Hammers colours.

But the Ghanaian international was upstaged by Victor Obinna after the on-loan Nigerian blasted home a second-half winner.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce paired new record signing Gyan and predecessor Darren Bent together from the start for the first time in the hunt for Carling Cup glory in just two changes to the side which drew 1-1 with Arsenal.

Opposite number Grant, however, made seven changes to the team which secured a first Premier League point of the season at Stoke on Saturday as only skipper Scott Parker, Manuel Da Costa, Piquionne and Obinna were retained.