Championship: Cardiff 0 West Ham 2

West Ham United kept in touch with leaders Southampton with a 2-0 win at Cardiff City in the Championship on Sunday.

Nigel Adkins’ side lead the league by just one point after West Ham’s win, which came thanks to goals from Kevin Nolan and George McCartney.

West Ham entered the game on the back of a four-match unbeaten run while Cardiff were buoyed by their brave showing in the Carling Cup Final, although they ultimately lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Nolan, West Ham’s captain, scored the all-important opener on 43 minutes to delight the travelling supporters.

Cardiff applied plenty of pressure in their bid to equalise and Peter Whittingham came the closest.

The midfielder saw his free-kick beat West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green from distance but the ball thudded into the woodwork.

And Sam Allardyce’s men sealed the three points when left-back McCartney charged forward and finished with his right foot from a tight angle.

It was a clever finish and wrapped up the win for West Ham, who have a game in hand on Southampton.

Cardiff are eighth on the table, two points outside the playoffs.