Scott Parker’s first match as West Ham head coach looked set to end in defeat after Cardiff took a 3-0 lead, but the visitors rallied after the break to secure a 3-3 draw. Max Kilman scored the equaliser eight minutes from time.
Jack Moylan put Cardiff ahead in the 11th minute with a shot from the edge of the area, then converted a penalty in the 37th. He completed his hat-trick less than two minutes later, getting the final touch after Will Fish headed towards goal from a corner.
West Ham began their comeback in the 58th minute when Divine Mukasa finished Jarrod Bowen’s pass over the defence. Arne Engels then made it 3-2 after a mix-up in Cardiff’s defence. Bowen supplied the cross for Kilman to score from close range in the 82nd minute.
Parker was confirmed as West Ham’s head coach earlier on Wednesday, replacing Nuno Espírito Santo, who was sacked on Tuesday. The former West Ham midfielder has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract.
Elsewhere, Championship leaders Middlesbrough lost 2-0 away to Wrexham. George Thomason opened the scoring in the 70th minute, and Oli Rathbone added a second in the 84th.
At Ashton Gate, Bristol City took the lead through Scott Twine’s free-kick, but Sean Neave scored twice late on to give visiting Wolves a 2-1 win. Neave, on loan from Newcastle, found the net in the 82nd and 89th minutes.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.