Mark Noble is targeting top spot in the npower Championship after netting his fourth penalty of the season to secure a 1-0 win at Portsmouth on Saturday.

The long-serving midfielder kept his cool to beat Stephen Henderson from 12 yards after Winston Reid had been hauled to the ground by ex-Hammer Tal Ben Haim - adding to his successful spot-kicks against Pompey in the reverse fixture, Peterborough United and Derby County.

Noble's goal kept West Ham behind leaders Southampton on goal difference and the 24-year-old is taking aim at the summit ahead of this weekend's visit of struggling Nottingham Forest.

"It was nice to go home with three points. Our away record this year has been fantastic, although we did lose at Derby and draw at Birmingham. Now we're back on track and to winning ways and that's the most important thing," he told West Ham TV.

"You have to get back-to-back wins or go on a run to break away in this league and we saw Middlesbrough lost and Cardiff drew so we've got a little cushion again. We had a little cushion before but gave it up, so we're determined to stay strong this time and keep on pushing."

Noble was naturally happy to maintain his 100 per cent record from the penalty spot, although there must have been some nerves when he saw goalkeeper Henderson get fingertips on the ball on its way into the net.

"Obviously, if you put a lot of pace on the ball and it's at a height that the keeper struggles with, then he's going to struggle to save it.

"I don't want to talk too much about it because I don't want to jinx myself, but when we get one [a penalty] the boys know and I know who is taking it and may they keep coming."

While one goal was enough at Fratton Park, Noble did concede that the Hammers would need to be more clinical in future if they are to maintain their title challenge.

"We started really well and we got into them and played like a proper team. They had five or six corners and got back into the game a little bit, which they were always going to do at home, because teams are always going to press and to try and beat us.

"We rode that storm, came out in the second half and they had a man [David Norris] sent-off and it was pretty easy from there."

To watch Mark Noble's interview in full, including his views on Robert Green's form and the transfer window and some light-hearted fun with Sam Allardyce, click on the link below.