Hammers win relegation crunch against Portsmouth

Gianfranco Zola's side started the day just one point ahead of rock bottom Portsmouth, but Diamanti and Kovac granted Hammers hope.

West Ham claimed a crucial 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Portsmouth in Saturday's relegation battle at Upton Park.

Gianfranco Zola's side started the day just one point ahead of rock bottom Portsmouth, but goals from Alessandro Diamanti, who put the hosts ahead with a first half penalty, and Radoslav Kovac enabled the Hammers to boost their hopes of beating the drop.

It was West Ham's first win since late November and Zola will be hoping for another Christmas revival from his club, who were in the relegation zone at this stage last season before climbing clear.

Portsmouth had shocked Liverpool with a 2-0 victory seven days ago and almost took an early lead when midfielder Jamie O'Hara, on loan from Tottenham, got his head on a dangerous corner from Michael Brown and nodded across goal.

Zola was forced into a change in the 16th minute when Mark Noble needed treatment for a knock, with Luis Jimenez coming on for the midfielder.

Diamanti had scored a penalty against Chelsea last weekend and he repeated the trick in the 23rd minute.

Scott Parker slipped a pass to Guillermo Franco and, when the striker's run was blocked, the ball fell to Jimenez, who was tripped by Brown.

Referee Lee Probert pointed to the spot and Diamanti stroked home the penalty for his third goal in three games.

West Ham had impressed in that draw with Chelsea and they were well on top against Portsmouth.

Jack Collison volleyed over the crossbar, then the Welsh midfielder wasted another good chance by firing wide from close range in first half stoppage-time.

Pompey boss Avram Grant sent on Kevin-Prince Boateng for Nadir Belhadj, then replaced Aruna Dindane with Kanu as he searched for a way to bring his team to life.

But they could have fallen further behind two minutes after the restart when Diamanti's angled drive deflected off Steve Finnan and Asmir Begovic had to leap across his goal to pull off a fine save.

Portsmouth striker Frederic Piquionne had an effort saved late on, while Collison and Valon Behrami both went close for the hosts.

West Ham sealed the points in the 89th minute when Kovac headed home Jimenez's free-kick.