West Ham United have extended their undefeated streak to five games by beating Leicester City 2-0 in the Premier League match this afternoon.

Goals from Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing at Upton Park were enough to see off the away side, who are now without a win in 12 league games.

The hosts started the brighter as Downing and Cheikhou Kouyate combined before the latter sent in a cross that fell to Carroll, but was scrambled away.

Kevin Nolan then played Diafra Sakho through on goal, but the bounce was awkward and the ball was volleyed wide.

Carroll gave West Ham the lead when he latched onto Paul Konchesky's poor back-pass to run through on goal and lift the ball over Ben Hamer and into the net.

It was the striker's third league goal of the season, and it was just reward for West Ham's impressive showing in the first half.

At the other end, Jeffrey Schlupp tried to send a low cross into the Hammers box, but Nolan was there to make a vital interception to maintain his side's advantage.

After the break, Carroll attempted an ambitious overhead kick which flew well wide of the post, but the home side eventually got a second goal through Downing, who curled a 25-yard strike past Hamer and into the top corner following a smart first touch.

Leicester kept battling to get back into the game and David Nugent cut inside from the right before beating two Hammers defenders, but his shot was miscued and it failed to trouble Adrian.

The Spaniard had to be alert, however, to keep out Leonardo Ulloa's header just before the full-time whistle and ensure West Ham a victory which keeps them in the Premier League's top four.