West Ham 2 Sunderland 0

The Irons controlled the game from start to finish and Sunderland offered little threat up front, with most of their chances coming from long range efforts from Grant Leadbitter.

The only blot on the day was a head injury to Jonathon Spector, which saw the American international require lengthy treatment on the field during the second half before being stretchered off.

With Sott Parker and Rodoslav Kovac missing Lucas Neill was pushed into a holding role in midfield with Spector slotting in at right-back.

Stanislas had his first start in the senior side, playing on the left of midfield, while David Di Michele partnered Diego Tristan up front in the absence of Carlton Cole.

Sunderland included Anton Ferdinand in their ranks and the ex-Hammer received a warm reception from fans on his first return to Upton Park.

West Ham signalled their intent from the first minute, forcing a corner from the Sunderland defence.

The Irons put together plenty of nice passing moves but failed to find the crucial final ball as they searched for the opening goal.

But when that goal came, in the 43rd minute, it was a peach.

Rob Green started the move with a quick throw to Luis Boa Morte who shipped the ball on to Mark Noble.

Noble passed the ball down the left wing and Di Michele produced a sublime touch to lift the ball over his marker and into the path of Boa Morte, running from deep.

The Portuguese winger bore down on goal but rather than shoot he squared the ball to the onrushing Stanislas who slotted home from four yards.

It was no more than the youngster deserved after producing a lively first half display, and he almost doubled his tally in first half stoppage time.

The Irons did not have to wait long to extend their lead.

On 53 minutes Tomkins powered in a header from a Noble corner, shaking off his marker Ferdinand in the process.

Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon got a hand to the ball but could not prevent it squirting over the line, prompting much jubilation from the young centre-back.

That proved to be the end of the scoring but West Ham continued to produce plenty of flowing, attractive football, which will have pleased their manager.

But Spector's injury had many fearing the worst.

Just after the hour mark he challenged for a header and landed heavily, apparently knocking himself out.

The West Ham medical team, well used to dealing with injuries in recent weeks, attended him for almost seven minutes before he was taken to hospital.

But Zola confirmed it was not as serious as many first feared.

He said: "I think he has got a concussion.

"He lost consciousness for a little bit and he's lost a bit of his short-term memory, but he was fine and we are very confident that it is not going to be a big problem.

"He couldn't remember much of it which is normal when you have a concussion, but he was laughing.

"He doesn't remember me which is a good thing, but he is okay, he shouldn't be too bad."

Zola also paid tribute to his young goalscorers after the game.

He said: "I was very impressed.

"Tomkins has been playing for a while and has been always very good so I had no problems with him, but Junior has been a surprise.

"I knew about his qualities, technical skills, but I didn't know about his mental strength.

"He came on and he looked like he was a veteran, so that is a good point for him and a good point for me obviously."

West Ham: Green, Spector (Collins, 73), Ilunga, Tomkins, Upson, Neill, Noble, Boa Morte, Stanislas (Lopez, 90), Di Michele (Dyer, 81), Tristan. Unused subs: Lastuvka, Savio, Sears, Payne.

Booked: Ilunga.

Goals: Stanislas 43, Tomkins 53.

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Whitehead, Ferdinand, Ben Haim, Malbranque (Edwards, 75), Richardson, Murphy (Jones, 53), Collins, Leadbitter, Cisse. Unused subs: Fulop, Nosworthy, Reid, Healy, McShane.

Booked: Whitehead

Attendance: 34,761

Referee: Mike Jones.