West Ham ruined Cardiff's return to the top-flight after a 51-year absence as goals from Joe Cole and Kevin Nolan clinched a 2-0 win on Saturday.
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Sam Allardyce's side took the lead through Cole's fine first half strike and Nolan sealed a deserved victory in the closing stages at Upton Park.
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It was a brutal introduction to the Premier League for Cardiff, who were making their first appearance in the top flight since 1962 after winning the Championship last term.
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Backed by Malaysian owner Vincent Tan, Cardiff boss Malky Mackay has spent close to £30 million over the summer and he paraded record £9.5 million signing Gary Medel at Upton Park, but the Chilean midfielder was largely anonymous, as was his fellow new recruit Steven Caulker.
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The Hammers were on top from the start and Matt Jarvis floated a clever cross to the far post, only for Cole to produce a poor header.
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Modibo Maiga helped set up a chance for Jarvis that was spoilt by the winger's poor first touch before Cardiff staged their first counter attack when Kim Bo-kyung drove high over the crossbar.
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Kim had Craig Bellamy in support and the South Korean was scalded by his captain for declining to pass.
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Play quickly swept to the other end as West Ham bagged their first goal of the season by capitalising on some indecisive defending in the 13th minute.
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Jarvis sent a pass across the face of goal to former Chelsea midfielder Cole who controlled the ball, turned and stabbed it into the bottom right corner.
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With just goalkeeper David Marshall to beat, Cole should have had a second moments later but his control deserted him.
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Cardiff made a bright start to the second half and a frantic goalmouth scramble ensued with West Ham prevailing through sheer weight of numbers.
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West Ham winger Stewart Downing, a £5 million signing from Liverpool, came on with 20 minutes left and he soon injected life into the hosts.
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The Hammers finally got their second goal with 15 minutes remaining when Mark Noble launched a crafty run along the edge of the area before finding Nolan who expertly swept the ball into the net.
West Ham football club is known for beating teams black and blue so I'm not shocked. I just hope for the best for them this season!