Lucas Perez strikes twice against Cardiff to lift West Ham spirits

West Ham United 3-1 Cardiff City: The Spanish striker scored twice in the space of five second-half minutes to end Cardiff's resistance as well as his own goal drought

The forward came off the bench to make all the difference against Cardiff (Getty)

Lucas Perez climbed off the bench to fire West Ham to consecutive Premier League victories for the first time in more than two years.

The Spanish striker scored twice in the space of five second-half minutes to end Cardiff's resistance as well as his own goal drought.

The majority of the London Stadium feared the worst when talisman Marko Arnautovic limped off shortly before half-time with what appeared a hamstring injury.

But Perez proved an able replacement on the night with his first Premier League goals since January 2017 - the same month West Ham last won back-to-back top-flight matches, some 682 days and two managers ago.

They had a major let-off in the first half after Joe Ralls missed a penalty, but thanks to Perez and Michail Antonio were eventually able to bask in two wins and six goals in the space of four days following Saturday's 3-0 victory at Newcastle.

And with an agreeable-looking run of fixtures against Crystal Palace, Fulham, Watford, Southampton and Burnley to come in December, Manuel Pellegrini's side could begin 2019 in a far loftier position than they currently occupy.

Lucas Perez celebrates his second goal of the evening (Getty Images)

With veteran full-back Pablo Zabaleta rested and deputy Ryan Fredericks injured, winger Antonio was pressed into reprising his role as emergency right-back. It was an experiment previous boss Slaven Bilic tried two seasons ago and quickly dispensed with after Antonio gave away a penalty at Chelsea.

Previously ever-present centre-half Fabian Balbuena and left-back Aaron Cresswell were also sitting out nursing injuries, so there was a distinctly makeshift feel about the West Ham back four with Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna coming in.

But Cardiff were unable to take advantage and, despite his defensive responsibilities, Antonio was often the man furthest forward for the hosts.

He headed an early chance wide before Snodgrass and Felipe Anderson saw shots deflected off target and Arnautovic's flick was held by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

Etheridge did well to palm Ogbonna's header over, and from the resulting corner managed to block Declan Rice's downward header.

Midway through the first half Arnautovic powered his way into the area, barging aside Aron Gunnarson and charging past Sol Bamba.

But although his shot beat Etheridge Cardiff captain Sean Morrison had got back to clear the ball off the goalline.

Neil Etheridge kicks clear under pressure (Getty Images)

West Ham were utterly dominant and yet still should have gone in at the interval behind. First a low cross from Joe Bennett almost found it's way into their net via the thigh of Ogbonna. Moments later Cardiff were gifted the chance to score only their third away goal of the season when Arnautovic pushed Junior Hoilett in the area.

Referee Graham Scott pointed to the spot but Ralls' effort was superbly saved by Lukasz Fabianski, diving low to his left.

Arnautovic, so often West Ham's key man this season, limped off before Fabianski tipped Victor Camarasa's free-kick wide in a rocky end to the first half for the hosts.

Perez has struggled for game time since his summer switch from Arsenal but he made his mark within four minutes of the restart.

When neither Bennett or Morrison could head clear on the edge of the area Snodgrass controlled the ball on his chest before flicking it through to the Spaniard who drilled his shot past Etheridge.

And within five minutes Perez had his second, racing in behind to collect Arthur Masuaku's pass and firing home at the near post.

Antonio headed in a Snodgrass corner and there was even a late sighting of Andy Carroll, off the bench for the first time this season, before Josh Murphy headed in a scrappy late consolation goal for the visitors.