West Ham continued their good end of season form with a 2-1 victory over Nick Barmby's tigers at Upton Park this afternoon.
The hammers got off to a flyer and should have been ahead inside the opening few minutes when Ricardo Vaz Te dragged his header wide when it looked easier to score.
They continued to press, however, and should have scored again shortly after when Lansbury - back in the starting line up after a brief sub appearance on Monday - fired over from 12 yards following Nolan's deft flicked through ball.
The East Londoners got their just rewards shortly before half time though when Carlton Cole headed home from one of Mark Noble's many corners (36).
Henri Lansbury fed Carlton Cole to make it 2 shortly after the break after an expertly controlled touch and finish in front of the Bobby Moore end following an executed deep cross from the Arsenal loanee (49).
Hull weren't going down without a fight, though, and pulled one back through Evans in the 81st minute after a breakdown in communication between right back Guy Demel and Rob Green allowed the midfielder to sneak his header in. They thought they had equalised within minutes with an emphatic far post header only to see the offside flag raised - a marginal but correct decision.
The result wasn't enough to see the hammers promoted in the end as a marvellous 4-0 victory for Southampton saw them catapulted into the Premier League - something they ultimately deserve with the form and consistency they've shown this season, so credit and congratulations to them.
The hammers meanwhile will face Cardiff away on Thursday 3rd May for their play off semi final first leg then return to East London for the home leg the following Monday in what promises to be an incredible atmosphere and occasion.
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