Niko Kranjcar scored as Portsmouth beat West Ham 1-0 at Upton Park to cement their hold on sixth place in the Premier League.

The goal arrived on 61 minutes following neat passing from Portsmouth, the hallmark of their performance.

Sulley Muntari slid a ball to Kranjcar and the Croatian, with his back to goal, swivelled and drilled a right-footed drive past the helpless Robert Green.

West Ham had the better of the first half, with Luis Boa Morte and Bobby Zamora the stand-out players.

After 17 minutes Zamora got his first real sight of goal, beating the offside trap and then David James only to agonisingly pull his effort across goal and wide of the far post.

Boa Morte in particular gave former Hammer Glen Johnson a torrid time, and it was he that had the first shot on target - a curling right-footed effort that did not really trouble James.

Boa Morte continued to exploit the ample space on the right, crossing for Zamora who just could not quite get the timing right on his header.

Portsmouth edged possession in the first half, but were restricted to long-range efforts with West Ham's attack looking far more incisive.

A rare start for David Nugent bore little fruit, as the former England Under-21 striker toiled long and hard but only had one sight of goal - a half-volley that spun just wide.

The beginning of second half mirrored that of the first. West Ham were intent on getting a breakthrough, but at times their play seemed a little rushed while Portsmouth seemed content to play a slower, more controlled tempo.

Kranjcar became increasingly dominant, first having a tame shot saved by Green then sending a blistering drive just over the England man's crossbar. Moments later he went one better and scored.

The goal was preceded by some neat passing on the edge of the Green's area. The ball found its way to Muntari, who fed Kranjcar. The Croat turned, steadied himself and struck it into the bottom corner.

After the goal the Hammers regrouped and Portsmouth seemed happy to let them have the ball.

As the game moved into the final quarter it became a little fractured, fouls and substitutions occasionally punctuated by the odd flowing move from either side.

Late on James was lucky to escape after a rush of blood saw Freddie Sears steal the ball, round him - and then run it out of play.

Portsmouth just about deserved the win, while West Ham may feel a little hard-done-by.

Marcus Foley / Eurosport