Roeder hopes win is turning point

Glenn Roeder let out a huge sigh of relief as West Ham cracked their home hoodoo last night – and immediately challenged his players to turn the victory against Blackburn into the pivotal moment of their season.

Hammers super-sub Jermain Defoe cracked a blistering 89th-minute winner, sending Upton Park wild as he ended West Ham’s winless run in front of their own fans.

It was lucky 13 for United as Defoe, on the field for just seven minutes, sealed this 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, more than eight months ago – represents a massive boost for Roeder in his battle to save his job.

The east Londoners leapfrogged West Brom at the foot of the Premiership pile and are now just a single point below fourth-bottom Bolton.

Roeder, whose side could climb out of the relegation zone when they face Liverpool at home on Sunday, insisted: “We always had a strong belief we had the ability to dig ourselves out of the big hole we’d got ourselves into.

“We believed we would turn it round and so last night will help our belief.

“They were three huge, massive points and we hope they will be the turning point of our season.”

Dwight Yorke put Rovers in front with a close-range finish in the 38th minute, withstanding Steve Lomas’ attempt to rip the shirt off his back.

Paolo di Canio, on his comeback after two months out with a knee injury, levelled from the penalty spot seven minutes into the second half after he was tripped by Andy Todd.

And, after Lee Bowyer and di Canio missed late chances, Defoe collected Lomas’ diagonal ball, danced in from the left wing and cracked a fizzing strike past Brad Friedel at his near post.

Defoe’s goal sparked euphoric scenes, with the 32,000 Hammers fans in the ground singing themselves hoarse with rousing renditions of the ’Great Escape’ tune and the club anthem ’I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.’

Roeder, who strolled into the post-match press conference beaming from ear to ear, said: “It’s great to smile and there was an extra meaning in my smile last night.

“My overriding emotion at the final whistle was happiness.

“Four days ago, we embarrassed ourselves and our football club at Old Trafford (losing 6-0).

“There was a horrible, hideous atmosphere in the dressing room after that game – but last night the atmosphere was the opposite end of the spectrum.

“There was a lot of happiness in the dressing room and we want more of that.”

Roeder acclaimed Defoe’s goal, adding: “It was a fantastic strike from a young forward who will have a very good career.

“He’s done it before and I’m sure he’ll do it many times again.

“With 10 minutes left, I felt it was time to throw caution to the wind by putting Jermain on – and it came off.”

Rovers boss Graeme Souness blasted his team’s attitude and revealed Todd had no qualms about the penalty he conceded with his clumsy challenge on di Canio.

“We had too many people who didn’t turn up,” said Souness. “We didn’t play at all and were nervous, which was hard to understand against a team fighting for their lives.

“At 1-0 up, we didn’t show any real composure and keep the ball for any length of time.

“We knew it would be a difficult game on the back of them having got walloped on Sunday and not having won here.

“But there were no complaints about their penalty, which tells me it must have been a penalty.

“So all credit to West Ham. They’ve got their first home win so it was a good night for them.

“They’re a good football club and have too much quality to go down.”