Substitute Zavon Hines scored an injury time goal in a 2-1 win against Aston Villa to lift struggling West Ham out of the bottom three.
Hines fired home after a fine run by Scott Parker as the game looked to be heading for a draw.
Mark Noble had put the struggling home side in front from the penalty spot in first-half injury time. England goalkeeper Robert Green then saved Ashley Young's 49th minute spot-kick before the Villa winger atoned for his error with a curling 25-yard equaliser two minutes later.
Green pulled off a magnificent save when West Ham half cleared a corner and Stiliyan Petrov volleyed the ball towards goal from fully 30 yards. The ball took a deflection on its way towards the top corner but somehow Green managed to get his fingertips in the way.
Villa were in the ascendancy in the first half and it got worse for the Hammers in the 31st minute when England international Carlton Cole collected an injury and had to be replaced by Hines.
But West Ham were given a penalty in first-half injury time when Habib Beye brought down Hines. Beye was booked and Noble sent his spot-kick into the roof of the net to give the home side the lead against the run of play.
In the 49th minute referee Steve Bennett was at the centre of controversy when he awarded Villa penalty. Manuel Da Costa appeared to have headed the ball clear but Bennett clearly thought his feet had come into contact with James Collins.
None of the other Villa players appealed for the spot-kick but Bennett waved away West Ham's furious appeals. But justice was seen to be done for the home side when Young's penalty was superbly kept out by Green. The England goalkeeper dived low to his left to parry it to safety to the delight of home fans.
Their euphoria was shortlived, however, when Young made up for his penalty miss with a superb equaliser in the 51st minute. The Villa winger sent a curling shot over the head of Green and into the top corner to put the visitors on level terms.
But it was West Ham who grabbed the decider when Hines fired Parker's pass into the roof of the net.
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
what OCTANEOVERBOOST, failed to mention was that We lost our main striker, and 1st choice left back, through injury, had to bring on a kid, had to play a not very good right back at left back, and change our game plan after 35 minutes, and still won the game.Dont see that the F.A. had much to do with that.
octaneoverboost - talks like a man on drugs - west ham should never be down at the bottom and they are beginning to beat the teams they should b murdering! I didn't see the game but its a score line that should b happening every week you know that as I do...... so forget your pathetic comments they mean nothing, carry on the Hammers thats more like it!!!!!!!!!!
When I first saw the odds, I can not put myself to believe a bottom table team can beat one of the best team on top. Tell me the F.A. Don't play any part, 1st was a penalty to make things easier for West Ham, then 3 yellow cards to Aston to make things look clean later, Yes, and when the time comes, out came the "RED". "6" mins after 90, West Ham scored 2-1 and the picture is complete! WELL DONE, F.A. you've done it again!
When I first saw the odds, I can not put myself to believe a bottom table team can beat one of the best team on top. Tell me the F.A. Don't play any part, 1st was a penalty to make things easier for West Ham, then 3 yellow cards to Aston to make things look clean later, Yes, and when the time comes, out came the "RED". "6" mins after 90, West Ham scored 2-1 and the picture is complete! WELL DONE, F.A. you've done it again!
8.When I first saw the odds, I can not put myself to believe a bottom table team can beat one of the best team on top. Tell me the F.A. Don't play any part, 1st was a penalty to make things easier for West Ham, then 3 yellow cards to Aston to make things look clean later, Yes, and when the time comes, out came the "RED". "6" mins after 90, West Ham scored 2-1 and the picture is complete! WELL DONE, F.A. you've done it again!
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