West Ham United's beaten Birmngham City 2-1 in their League Cup first semi-final in London, scoring the winner with the help of a goalkeeping error
The Hammers' substitute striker Carlton Cole scored with a simple side-foot finish that embarrassed fellow England international Ben Foster after Liam Ridgewell had cancelled out Mark Noble's early opener.
The home side had Nigerian striker Victor Obinna sent off on the hour for a petulant kick between Sebastian Larsson's legs.
The win's a boost for West Ham's manager Avram Grant following last week's
5-0 thrashing at Newcastle United that sent the east London club back to the bottom of the Premier League.
