Hammers strike first blow in Championship playoff

Jack Collison scored twice as West Ham inched closer to bouncing straight back to the Premier League with a 2-0 win away to Cardiff in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final on Thursday.

Collison gave the London club a ninth minute lead when he followed up from close range after his initial effort was palmed away by Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall after good work out on the left by Ricardo Vaz Te.

And Collison doubled the Hammers' advantage four minutes before half-time when his shot from 20 yards deflected in off the head of Cardiff's Liam Lawrence to leave Marshall stranded.

The clubs will meet for the second leg at West Ham's Upton Park on May 7.

Championship winners Reading and runners-up Southampton claimed the two automatic promotion places on offer and are assured of playing in the lucrative Premier League next season.

But the four clubs immediately below the Saints must battle it for the one remaining spot in the top flight via the playoffs, which culminate with a final at Wembley on May 19.

Although West Ham -- who finished third -- have struggled at home this season, Cardiff now face the prospect of more play-off heartache having lost in the semi-finals to Reading last season after being beaten in the 2010 play-off final by Blackpool.

Wednesday sees Blackpool at home to Birmingham in the first leg of their play-off semi-final, with both clubs eyeing a swift return to the Premier League following relegation last season.