West Ham end barren run

FT West Ham 2 Blackburn 1

West Ham ended their run of eight straight defeats with a long-awaited victory over Blackburn at Upton Park.

Veteran striker Teddy Sheringham put the Hammers ahead with a pin-point header after 20 minutes.

And Hayden Mullins secured the win as he turned in a corner with 12 minutes remaining.

David Bentley scored an injury-time consolation for Blackburn.

Green kept West Ham in the game with a brilliant reaction save from Lucas Neill, palming the ball clear as the Australian crept in at the far post.

West Ham counter-attacked and finally there was some zip about the game.

Etherington played in Zamora who was in acres of space as he closed in on Friedel. Reo-Coker was free to the left but Zamora chose to shoot and his effort was well blocked by the Blackburn keeper.

Sheringham was replaced with 15 minutes remaining and Marlon Harewood almost made an immediate impact as he linked with Zamora to win a corner.

Ferdinand won the near-post flick-on and Hayden Mullins stole in late to stab the ball past Friedel and secure the win.

His contribution was vital because once again West Ham failed to keep a clean sheet – they are yet to do so this season – as David Bentley fired an injury-time consolation.

Referee Wiley played four minutes of injury time and Jeffers almost snatched a late point but his effort flew just over.