West Ham United 3 Charlton Athletic 1

IAIN DOWIE'S reign as Charlton manager got off to a losing start against West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.

The Addicks took the lead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes. Darren Bent netted his first of the season after West Ham's Daniel Gabbidon had handled in the box.

But the visitors were reduced to 10 men just 26 minutes into the game after debutant Djimi Traore was sent off for two bookable offences. He was cautioned twice in six minutes - first for a foul on Lee Bowyer, then for preventing the same player taking a quick free-kick.

And the home side made their numerical advantage count seven minutes into the second half when Bobby Zamora was in the right place to convert Bowyer's cross.

Then Zamora put the Hammers ahead on 66 minutes when his weak effort beat Scott Carson and somehow found its way over the goalline via the post.

Charlton's misery was complete in stoppage time when substitute Carlton Cole made it three with his first touch after coming on.

Charlton: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Hreidarsson, Traore (sent off 26), Ambrose (Sorondo 29), Holland, Faye, Hughes (Reid 71), Hasselbaink (M Bent 64), D Bent.
Subs not used: Myhre, Rommedahl.