Hammers secure play-off spot
By James Pearson. Last Updated: January 1, 1970 1:00am
West Ham booked their play-off place with a 2-1 win at Watford while rivals Reading lost to promoted Wigan.
The Hammers were level at the start of play with The Royals in the table, but goals either side of half time secured the points at Vicarage Road.
The visitors created the better of the chances early on with both Bobby Zamora and Marlon Harewood missing opportunities to give Alan Pardew's side the lead.
The breakthrough arrived just before half time when Anton Ferdinand showed great technique to volley home Elliot Ward's cross from the left.
Harewood made sure of the points after 70 minutes when he coolly slotted home from the penalty spot after James Chambers handled in the box.
The home side did not go down without a fight and The Hornets pulled one back late on when Heidar Helguson converted from the spot.
It might have been all-square in the closing stages, but Jimmy Walker made a superb save from Ashley Young's pinpoint free kick.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
Heidar Helguson
Marlon Harewood
Anton Ferdinand
