Hammers face tough task

West Ham need to climb football's own version of Mount Etna if they are to reach the group stages of the UEFA Cup after losing the home leg of their first-round tie 1-0 to Palermo.

The Sicilian side snatched the priceless away goal in the last minute of the first half - and in controversial circumstances.

West Ham claimed the ball had gone out of play but Palermo played on and Aimo Diana picked out Andrea Caracciolo to slot his shot past Roy Carroll.

West Ham dominated possession and Carlos Tevez enjoyed their best chance with a volley from Bobby Zamora's cross. But the Hammers will need to be much sharper in front of goal in a fortnight's time - they must score at least twice to keep alive their hopes of a European campaign.

Pardew changed things up and employed a 4-4-3 formation early on with Tevez and Yossi Benayoun to the right of Zamora while Javier Mascherano swept very deep just in front of the back four. But as Palermo worked their way into the game Pardew switched to his usual 4-4-2, with Tevez through the middle.

The Italians hardly enjoyed any notable possession in the opening 15 minutes - but still came closest to scoring when David Di Michele turned Anton Ferdinand in the box only to scuff his shot wide.

Nigel Reo-Coker then sent two drives over the bar before West Ham worked their best chance of the half. Zamora latched on to Lee Bowyer's ball down the left and picked out Tevez with a pin-point cross. The Argentinian's low volley was saved brilliantly by keeper Alberto Fontana.

Then, just a minute before the interval West Ham were stung when Diana found Caracciola to give Palermo the lead.

Pardew made a double substitution with 15 minutes remaining - swapping Tevez and Zamora for Marlon Harewood and Carlton Cole. Harewood hit the post with his first touch of the ball from Benayoun's cross. Etherington kept the attack alive but was booked for diving in the box.

West Ham pelted balls forward but nothing fell right for them in the box and they now face a major challenge to turn the result around in a fortnight's time.