Parker peach lifts Hammers off bottom

In the day's other game Manchester City were held 1-1 at home by Fulham as former City manager Mark Hughes enjoyed a satisfying return to his former club.

Scott Parker was again West Ham's inspiration, defying a shoulder injury to deliver a great performance and score the opening goal.

"Scott Parker was a big doubt. We didn't know if he could play," West Ham manager Avram Grant told the BBC. "He came and said he wanted to play and I don't know many players would have done so with his type of injury."

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They doubled their lead at the end of the first half when Demba Ba headed in a Gary O'Neil cross.