League lifeline for West Ham

Striker Frederic Kanoute gave West Ham United a huge boost in their desperate battle to avoid premier league relegation with a late scramble...

Striker Frederic Kanoute gave West Ham United a huge boost in their desperate battle to avoid premier league relegation with a late scrambled goal in a 1-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday.

Frenchman Kanoute, who vowed to leave West Ham earlier this month because of a lack of first-team football, converted from right on the goalline 10 minutes from time to hand caretaker manager Trevor Brooking a win in his first match in charge.

With just two games remaining, West Ham are two points adrift of safety in the third remaining relegation place. They have 38 points from 36 matches, with Bolton one place above on 40 points and Leeds in 16th on 41. Brooking, the former England international who has been handed the managerial reins while Glenn Roeder recuperates from a minor stroke, said the win had given West Ham renewed hope of staying up.

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“We’ve given ourselves a bit of hope,” Brooking said.

“It was a terrific win at the end of a difficult week. The clubs above us will now have to look over their shoulders.” West Ham created plenty of openings but also rode their luck at Maine Road, especially in a nervy opening 45 minutes when Robbie Fowler and the always-threatening Nicolas Anelka wasted good chances for the home side.

England goalkeeper David Jones almost gifted City an early lead when he spilled Anelka’s shot but left back Rufus Brevett was on hand to hack Fowler’s follow-up off the line.