Precious lifeline for West Ham

West Ham 1 Everton 0:  A first-half goal from Bobby Zamora gave West Ham a precious lifeline in their battle to avoid relegation from the Barclays Premiership.

Zamora despatched a 25-yard shot into the top corner in the 13th minute to give West Ham renewed hope that manager Alan Curbishley can still work a minor miracle at Upton Park.

Curbishley had called on his side to win three out of their last four fixtures and the first objective was achieved with a mixture of grim determination and attacking flair.

After the disappointment of their midweek defeat by champions Chelsea, it was no surprise then that West Ham started the better of the two sides.

Everton were rocked in the seventh minute when their England international striker Andrew Johnson went off with an injury and was replaced by James McFadden.

West Ham's reward for their positive start arrived in the 13th minute when Zamora took a pass from Yossi Benayoun in his stride and unleashed a 25-yard shot into the top corner.

But soon after West Ham had a narrow escape when James Collins just cleared off the toes of James Beattie when the Everton striker looked certain to score from six yards.

It was the spark for Everton's best spell of the game but the Merseysiders lacked the outlet which the injured Johnson provided.

Everton's attacking forays were rare but Green had to be at his most alert to deny Beattie when the ball was deflected into the striker's path on the edge of the six-yard box.

West Ham should have increased their lead a minute after the restart but Zamora blazed his shot over the crossbar after Reo-Coker's pass had found the striker unmarked on the edge of the penalty area.

But the Hammers' vulnerability was almost capitalised upon by Arteta in the 69th minute when he sent a low shot just wide of Green's right-hand upright.

Everton almost grabbed an equaliser 10 minutes from time but Arteta sent his shot over the bar from eight yards.

But it was the last real effort of the game and West Ham survived six minutes of added time to keep their survival hopes alive.