West Ham did their chances of avoiding the drop a power of good with a deserved 3-1 win over Liverpool at Upton Park, and are now in the bottom three on goal difference only. Two first half goals set the Hammers on their way and even though a disappointing Liverpool pulled a goal back late-on the host's clinched the three points in added time.
Previous to this game West Ham had only won one of their last six league games but they ended that miserable record with a fine performance against the Reds who have found the Hammers as easy pickings with 13 victories over them in the last 16 meetings.
But the home side were anything but a pushover today with Scott Parker opening the scoring midway through the first half. The inspirational midfielder exchanged passes with Thomas Hitzlsperger before firing home.
With the Hammers in the ascendancy they doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time with Demba Ba heading number two with the Reds defence nowhere.
Liverpool tried to make a comeback after the break but the host's looked comfortable until Glen Johnson scored from close range with six minutes remaining.
Any thoughts of an unlikely point for the visitor's disappeared almost immediately as Carlton Cole made it three deep into injury time.
So West Ham climb off the foot of the table but Liverpool's revival under Kenny Dalglish shudders to a halt and with it probably any hopes of a top four finish.
Referee: Mark Halsey
Venue: Upton Park Attendance: 34,941
West Ham scorers: Parker 22, Ba 45, Cole 90 Liverpool scorers: Johnson 84
WEST HAM 01 Green 05 Tomkins 15 Upson 36 Bridge 37 Jacobsen 08 Parker 11 Hitzlsperger 16 Noble 32 O'Neil 21 Ba (Cole 88) 30 Piquionne (Spector 82)
Substitutes 31 Boffin, 02 Reid, 18 Spector, 22 Da Costa, 13 Boa Morte, 09 Cole, 26 Hines
LIVERPOOL 25 Reina 02 G Johnson 22 Wilson 23 Carragher 34 Kelly (Cole 43) 37 Skrtel (yellow card) 04 Meireles (Ngog 49) 08 Gerrard 21 Lucas 07 Suarez 18 Kuyt
Substitutes 42 Gulacsi, 16 Kyrgiakos, 10 Cole, 17 Maxi, 26 Spearing, 28 Poulsen, 24 Ngog
