Paolo di Canio ended another controversial week by scoring the opening goal and then being carried off on a stretcher.

The West Ham skipper threw a tantrum after being substituted in Monday's 1-0 win at Fulham, and claimed his strike partner Frederic Kanoute should have gone off instead.

But in typical di Canio style, he shrugged off the controversy and marked his 100th league appearance for the Hammers by stroking home a dubious penalty after 22 minutes.

To complete a happy ending to the saga, Kanoute - who scored the winner at Craven Cottage - scored the second goal at the end of an exquisite four-man move.

But the day ended worryingly for the Italian as he was caught by a trailing leg and had to be carried off after 69 minutes.

It was a miserable final London derby of the season for Charlton, who saw England Under-21 international Paul Konchesky blast a 71st-minute penalty over the bar.

The Hammers moved up to seventh with this win, and opened the scoring from a penalty when di Canio tried to turn past Mark Kinsella in the box and was body-checked to the floor. It looked little more than obstruction but referee Mike Riley had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and the Italian stroked home his ninth league goal of the season.

West Ham doubled their lead with after 33 minutes when Joe Cole's trickery proved too much for the Addicks.

Cole beat two men on the left flank before passing inside to Kanoute, who in turn fed di Canio. Sebastian Schemmel burst into the box and di Canio played a pass which looked like running into touch, but the little Frenchman managed to pull the ball back across goal and Kanoute crashed it into the roof of the net.

Charlton were unlucky not to score. Jonatan Johansson saw a header hit the post and Kinsella shaved the bar with a shot. But they lost only their second London derby of the season.

With both teams out of the fight against relegation and the battle for European places, both sets of fans were hoping for a repeat of the goal feast which came when these sides met at The Valley in November.

That ding-dong derby finished 4-4, so this one didn't quite live up to it although it was reasonably entertaining, especially with Cole demonstrating his full repertoire of skills.

West Ham had a good chance after 10 minutes when Cole chested down a clearance on the edge of the box and drilled in a low shot which Dean Kiely saved diving to his right.

Charlton won a free kick right of centre after 17 minutes and Konchesky tried his luck from 25 yards, but it rolled along the floor and straight to James.

At the other end, di Canio had a shot from 20 yards which was wide of Kiely's left post, before the game came to life with that controversial penalty, followed by Kanoute's well-worked strike - his 11th goal in the league.

Charlton were almost back in it after 37 minutes when Konchesky crossed from the left and Johansson sent a header against James' right hand post.

James then produced the best save of the half to tip over a fierce drive from Graham Stuart on the edge of the box on the stroke of half time.

West Ham beat Charlton 5-0 here last season, and at half time the home fans were hoping for a repeat of that scoreline.

Michael Carrick nearly scored one of the goals of the season just 45 seconds after the restart. He ran unchallenged from box to box before driving in a shot which Kiely saved with his legs.

There was a scare for the Hammers after 48 minutes when Repka carelessly lost possession on the edge of his own box and Luke Young rifled a rising shot into the side netting.

West Ham had not settled and were saved by the woodwork again after 51 minutes when Kinsella's fierce shot shaved the top of the crossbar.

There was some respite after 62 minutes when Trevor Sinclair got into a good position and drilled a low shot from 20 yards against Kiely's right hand post.

The game ended for di Canio on a sad note when he was caught late by the challenge of Scott Parker and went down clutching the back of his leg. He had to be carried off on a stretcher after 69 minutes and was replaced by Jermain Defoe.

It almost got worse as Charlton were handed a lifeline after 71 minutes when Winterburn fouled Johansson and Riley awarded a penalty to the visitors. But Konchesky failed to take advantage as he blasted the spot kick over the bar.

The game fizzled out after that and West Ham celebrated their third successive victory, while it was a fourth straight loss for The Addicks.

Teams

West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Lomas, Carrick, Cole (Moncur 90), Sinclair, Kanoute, Di Canio (Defoe 68).

Subs Not Used: Hislop, Pearce, Garcia.

Booked: Lomas.

Goals: Di Canio 23 pen, Kanoute 34.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Rufus, Costa, Fortune, Stuart, Kinsella, Parker, Konchesky, Johansson, Euell.

Subs Not Used: Ilic, Robinson, Bart-Williams, Brown, Svensson.

Booked: Fortune, Kiely, Kinsella, Costa.

Att: 32,389

Ref: M Riley (Leeds).