Andrea Caracciolo scored the only goal of the game as a solid Palermo outfit won at West Ham in the first leg of their UEFA Cup clash. The Italian international netted a controversial goal on the stroke of half-time to give his side control of the tie ahead of the return in Sicily.

Palermo lined up with Caracciolo in the starting line-up given that new signing Amauri was cup-tied, after appearing for Chievo in the Champions League earlier this season. West Ham responded by fielding their fearsome Argentine duo of Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez.

The Rosanero, who lost in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup to Schalke 04 last term, started compactly and made it tough for the home side to create. So much so that the first real effort of the night fell to David Di Michele who pulled his shot wide on 17 minutes.

West Ham reacted to that with a loose Nigel Reo-Coker effort, while Paul Konchesky saw his powerful 35th minute drive blocked by Andrea Barzagli before it could trouble veteran ‘keeper Alberto Fontana – who was included in the side ahead of Federico Agliardi.

Palermo, although committing the odd foul, were working superbly as a team and their slick football was causing the Londoners trouble at times. Di Michele tested Roy Carroll’s reflexes on 39 minutes with a header.

The Hammers responded dangerously though in minute 42. Tevez got on the end of a Bobby Zamora cross but Fontana got enough on the ball to tip it away for a corner. It proved to be a costly miss as Palermo took the lead with their next attack.

Aimo Diana assisted Caracciolo and the youngster netted from close range – even if the home side did appeal that the ball had gone out of play in the build up. Some defenders also appealed for offside.

Caracciolo, who struggled during his first year at Palermo last season, was looking in fine shape and impressed onlookers. It was no surprise that he tested Carroll again after the break with an 18-yard drive. The ‘keeper then blocked a Cristian Zaccardo header from the resulting corner.

The Upton Park boys, pushed on by their passionate fans, continued to search for the equaliser and went mighty close in the 78th minute. Yossi Benayoun crossed for Marlon Harewood – Tevez’s replacement – yet he was unfortunate to see his strike hit the post.

Palermo held on for a splendid win which has put them in pole position to reach the group stages of the competition for the second consecutive season.

West Ham: Carroll; Mears, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky; Mascherano, Reo Coker, Bowyer (Etherington 59), Benayoun; Tevez (Harewood 78), Zamora (Cole 78)

Palermo: Fontana; Cassani, Barzagli, Zaccardo, Pisano; Diana, Parravicini (Guana 54), Simplicio, Bresciano (Biava 90); Di Michele (Capuano 80); Caracciolo

Ref: Johannesson (Swe)