Danny Gabbidon headed home in the 80th minute before substitute Zavon Hines added a second in injury time to complete the victory.

The Hammers made four changes from the side that lost to Tottenham with Jonathan Spector, Gabbidon, Mark Noble and Scott Parker all handed starts.

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off in honour of Bobby Robson, who passed away earlier today.

Just as they did against Hull three days ago, the hosts started brightly as Wang Ke cut inside but his shot posed no problems for goalkeeper Robert Green.

Luis Jimenez was first to warm the gloves of Beijing shotstopper Zhang Sipeng in the ninth minute with a rasping free-kick from the left side of the area.

Paul’s turn-and-shot from the edge of the area flew high over the bar in 19th minute before Wang’s low effort was scooped up by Green.

Chances for West Ham had been few-and-far between although Carlton Cole created a good chance in the 38th minute when the former Chelsea forward latched onto a long-range pass before turning and despatching a powerful effort that Zhang did well to deny.

Hopes the pace of the game would pick up after the break vanquished as both teams continued to lethargically contest the ball in the middle of the pitch, struggling to cope with the heat and humidity.

It took until the 56th minute for the Hammers to again threaten as Cole cleverly sent Kieron Dyer clear but the defence recovered just in time to deny the former Newcastle man.

Substitute Zhang Lei had Green scrambling back to his line with a lofted effort from distance that, to the relief of the Hammers keeper, landed on the roof of the net.

Cole once again linked up with Dyer, releasing the England international in the 69th who then played the ball the back to the striker but his shot was blocked.

But the Premier League side’s quality finally told when they scored with 10 minutes remaining as Gabbidon broke free of his marker to send a towering header home from Mark Noble’s corner.

The Hammers added shine to the victory with a second deep in stoppage time when Hines sprinted clear of the defence before firing a low shot underneath the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.