Avram Grant felt he was vindicated after West Ham’s 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United in the Carling Cup – but there’s still a lot to do to prove their performance wasn’t a one off.

Their biggest win over United since 1970 and how they achieved it was the exception rather than the norm in a troubled season, but the clinical efficiency they demonstrated in dumping out the holders is a sign of the capability the Hammers possess.

Their squad, on paper at least, suggests they can stay up but bigger clubs with arguably better squads have gone down in the past.

 

At least the likes of Luis Boa Morte and Carlton Cole, who have been off the boil for too long, showed glimpses of their best form during the rout but they’re wasting their time if they’re only going to save it for the Carling Cup.

It’s okay to say it’s a memorable win now, but if they don’t pick up points soon it won’t be long before it’s forgotten.

It’s nothing new for a struggling club to have a Cup run – Portsmouth managed the FA Cup final last year, while Watford made it to the last four of the competition despite being relegation certainties in 2007.

The Cup can provide a nice distraction to the daily problems of the League but it can also paper over the cracks.

They have a real chance of silverware but the Hammers must replicate their quarter-final performance where it really counts otherwise a trip to Wembley could be followed by trips to Brighton and Scunthorpe next season.