Deadly Defoe makes it lucky 13 for Hammers

BEAMING Glenn Roeder was over the moon last night after substitute Jermain Defoe cracked a blistering 89th-minute winner against Blackburn to end West Ham’s winless home run.

It was lucky 13 for the Hammers as Defoe, on the field for just seven minutes, sealed a 2-1 victory after a dozen home league games without success this season. The win West Ham's first at Upton Park since beating Bolton 2-1 on May 11 represents a massive boost for Roeder in his battle to keep the club in the top flight.

The jubilant manager, whose side have leapfrogged West Brom at the bottom of the Premiership, said: "My overriding emotion at the final whistle was happiness. Three days ago, we embarrassed ourselves and our football club at Old Trafford (losing 6-0).