It took less than 15 mins for Cardiff to see the size of the task they face to stay in the Premier League.
West Ham started the match bigger, quicker and stronger than the Bluebirds and when Matt Connolly was done for pace in the 13th minute Jarvis pulled the ball back to find Joe Cle who turned and finished with a quality strike.
City toiled and could not find much possession, were under pressure when they had the ball in defence and found little or no outlet when the pumped the ball forward.
A run by Kimbo ended with a shot sent wide, a couple of half chances were blocked by the West Ham defence led by former City player James Collins.
The second half saw a brighter City but chances were hard to come by and when West Ham had had enough of City pestering them they clinically secured the victory when Kevin Nolan enjoyed the space to side foot home from the edge of the box.
Just before the goal Malky took off Kimbo and Bellamy and brought on Gestede and Maynard but Nolan's goal killed it despite Maynard being unlucky to see an effort just over from City's best move of the game and Gestede selfishly fired wide when Maynard was better placed.
Gary Medel made a solid if unspectacular debut.
City need to improve, and quick. In 8 days time Man City visit CCS.