Middlesbrough 0-2 West Ham: Big Sam's boys Hammer home superiority

Sam Allardyce's away game experts are in danger of making the Championship a two club race - after Frederic Piquionne and Carlton Cole clinched a comfortable victory.

Even against fourth places Boro, the Hammers were superior in all departments, clinching a fourth consecutive win. "A big statement," boss Sam Allardyce called this result.

Allardyce loves his stats, and the most pleasing is a run of 16 points out of a possible 18, with only one loss on their travels all season at main rivals Southampton.

It was more of the same at the Riverside, with a tough West Ham defence weathering squalls of attacks from Boro, but never really looking troubled.

If Allardyce's men keep up the same work rate, they will be home and dry back in the top flight. The gap with Boro, who consider themselves contenders is now eight points.

Allardyce said: "The run we are on and the confidence in the team is looking pretty good for us now. We missed big players today but performed like that and won against a team who had not lost at home.

"Fantastic and great performance and we are rolling on and on. We are now creating a gap between third and ourselves and gives confidence to keep performing like that. Watford was our best away game but this is close.

"Having four good strikers is a big plus. Piquionne and Cole have come up with the goods and played their part. But all around the squad it looks good because we are moving the team around, but the team keeps playing well.

"We keep our feet on the ground and enjoy our training. We are getting to know each other. It could be a big nine point week for us if we don't slip up against Burnley."

As for Tony Mowbray's side they will need to find a more ruthless streak to keep pace, although they did threaten during the second half with good possession.

Mowbray said: "West Ham have the best pedigree in the Championship and we needed a win to keep pace.

"But in the first 20 we never got going and were a goal down. We were insipid and didn't show we were making a game of it. They are a big strong side with Premier League players and we could feel that.

"We only huffed and puffed. We conceded a poor goal. They had one man in the box and scored with a free header.

"We didn't do enough, but they are good at grinding out results. We never asked enough questions of their goal keeper. We had a few chances first half but I never really sat on the edge of my seat thinking the goal is coming.

"I am disappointed because I didn't think we had a goal."

The power, strength and experience in West Ham's line up should eventually have them out of sight of promotion rivals.

But it took only nine minutes for the visitors to take command with a Piquionne header - his second of the season.

Sam Allardyce's men were his typical mix of organisation and getting the ball into danger areas in the box, which Matt Taylor did with precision when picking out the French striker at the back post for a simple nod into the bottom corner.

West Ham should have made the game safe earlier but in the 93rd minute a dreadful slip by Matthew Bates let Carlton Cole, on as a sub for Piquionne, collect the ball, round the keeper and fire home.

Allardyce's arm waving dance showed how crucial he felt the win was.