Super-sub Sears snatches vital Hammers win

West Ham 2 Blackburn 1

Freddie Sears was the hero on his debut as West Ham ended their run of 4-0 defeats with victory over Blackburn at Upton Park.

The teenager came off the bench with a quarter of an hour left and made his mark six minutes later, finishing with a diving header after Brad Friedel had saved his first shot.

Roque Santa Cruz had given Rovers the lead in the 20th minute but Dean Ashton levelled before the break.

With both sides looking for European qualification, the game opened up a little in the second half but the lack of goalmouth action explained why finishing in mid-table looks likely.

It took the introduction of a fearless youngster to change the game, with the Romford lad immediately sparking excitement from home fans every time he received the ball.

Avoiding defeat also lifts some of the pressure on Alan Curbishley.

Two years ago he was an England candidate, a year ago he masterminded West Ham’s amazing escape from relegation but this week the speculation about his position led to a vote of confidence from the board.

Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham had all scored four against Curbishley’s men in their previous three games, and the early signs against Rovers were not good.

Morten Gamst Pedersen drove in a dangerous early corner that fizzed across Robert Green’s goal, and the winger also headed wide after a sweeping move down the right when David Bentley and Brett Emerton combined.

Christopher Samba should have given Mark Hughes’ men the lead in the 18th minute when Bentley’s corner found him in the six-yard area and the defender put his header over the crossbar.

But they were not to be denied with their next attack. Bentley spread the ball wide to Pedersen, who had plenty of room down the left flank. Santa Cruz was unmarked in the penalty area and headed past Green when Pedersen found him for his 16th of the season.

The goal woke West Ham up and they tried for an immediate reply, with Friedel needed to tip an Ashton header around the post when Bobby Zamora found his strike partner with a cross from the left.

Friedel also tipped over the crossbar from Nolberto Solano’s 30-yard free-kick before the break.

Although Bentley, who was booked for a trip on Scott Parker, threatened with a dipping cross and a speculative shot, the hosts were rewarded for their efforts six minute before the interval.

Green helped set up the equaliser with a long free-kick. Zamora flicked on with his head, Ashton spun around Samba before lofting his finish over Friedel and in.

In desperate need of a goal to kick-start his season, Ashton had scored the winner against Blackburn before Christmas but only netted twice before beating Friedel again.

It gave him the lift he needed and before the break he was flicking on headers and causing Rovers problems with his mobility.

Hughes took off Emerton at the break for Zurab Khizanishvili, with the second half starting like the first – Pedersen driving over a dangerous free-kick.

Friedel was almost embarrassed at the other end when he sliced a backpass, but he had less trouble with a shot from Zamora that drifted wide.

Green was not tested either when Pedersen fired wildly over from close range when Jason Roberts’ low cross found its way to him just before the hour mark.

Friedel was forced into action when Ashton tried his luck from long range and the American was down well to stop the striker’s effort.

David Dunn, who had been booked earlier, was taken off for Matt Derbyshire as Blackburn changed shape.

Curbishley then brought on Sears for his debut, with the home fans giving the exciting youngster a huge welcome.

His goal came nine minutes from the end after Ashton had backheeled. Friedel saved Sears’ first shot but he slid in to head home the rebound.