Teddy Sheringham, who turned 40 in April, became the oldest footballer to play and score in the Premiership as his goal put West Ham on the way to a much-needed victory over Blackburn.
His 10th-minute goal was West Ham's first in eight and a half hours of Premiership football and the Hammers avoided the embarrassment of equalling what would have been a club record nine consecutive defeats. It was West Ham's 150th all-time Premiership win and the 100th at Upton Park.
Blackburn were seeking a sixth successive game in all competitions without defeat but David Bentley's stoppage time consolation goal was all they had to show for their efforts.
Sheringham rose superbly to head home after Yossi Benayoun crossed on 21 minutes - the first time he had scored since his 40th birthday. When he was substituted in the 77th minute, Sheringham received a standing ovation from the Upton Park crowd.
Late goal
With 10 minutes left, Hayden Mullins got a foot to Matthew Etherington's corner to steer the ball past Brad Friedel.
In stoppage time Robert Green spilled Benni McCarthy's shot allowing David Bentley to pounce but the Hammers survived a nervous final couple of minutes to celebrate their second win of the season which takes them out of the relegation zone.
"It's been a long wait," said a relieved West Ham manager Alan Pardew. "Teddy gave us that little bit of quality we have missed. It was a big game for the players and no one hid. They showed great character. It was nervous and edgy and the end - but that's the West Ham way!"
Points Standing
| TEAM | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | P
Man U | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 5 | 25 |
| Chelsea | 10 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 25 |
| Bolton | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 20 |
| P'mouth | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 19 |
| Arsenal | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 5 | 18 |
| Everton | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 16 | 9 | 17 |
| Aston Villa | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 9 | 15 |
| Liverpool | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 14 |
| Fulham | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 15 | 13 |
| Reading | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 13 |
| Blackburn | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 13 | 12 |
| Tottenham | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 12 |
| Wigan | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 11 |
| M'brough | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 11 |
| Man City | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 9 |
| West Ham | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 |
| Newcastle | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 8 |
| Watford | 10 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 6 |
| Sheffield | 10 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 14 | 6 |
| Charlton | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 15 | 5 |
1-2: Champions League / EC I
3-4: Champions League preliminary round
5: UEFA Cup
6-7: UEFA Cup depending on domestic cup
18-20: Relegation
Today: Manchester City v Middlesbrough (2000 GMT)
