Frustrated striker Ricardo Vaz Te may have fired himself back into West Ham's starting line-up after scoring a last-gasp League Cup winner against Cardiff City.

Vaz Te has asked to leave Upton Park, but his goal meant that manager Sam Allardyce celebrated a century of games in charge of West Ham with a victory.

His side were ahead on just 20 seconds after Ravel Morrison outpaced and then outmanouvered defender John Brayford to score a goal which helped him earn man-of-the-match award.

When Matt Jarvis's close range shot was cruelly deflected past a helpless Joe Lewis on seven minutes, West Ham looked in total control.

Wales international James Collins then missed one of half a dozen good changes to put the game to bed for the home side.

But it was Craig Noone who struck the next, stunning goal for the Bluebirds on the stroke of half-time.

Finding himself in space on the right, the winger cut onto his favoured left foot and unleashed a shot which sailed into the opposite corner.

And the brave Bluebirds threatened to upset the night's script when Peter Odemwingie poked home his first Cardiff goal on 75 minutes, capitalising on a surging run from Jordan Mutch.

The Hammers held their nerve though and Ricardo Vaz Te towered over his markers to head home a winner from Jack Collison's floated cross.

West Ham Assistant Neil McDonald said the goal gives Allardyce a "nice problem" over whether to select the "genuine lad" who "just wants to play" for their game against Hull on Saturday.