Manchester City 0 West Ham United 1
Frederic Kanoute gave West Ham United a huge boost in their desperate battle to avoid relegation this afternoon with a late scrambled goal in their narrow win at Manchester City.
The French striker, 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 first 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.
West Ham, playing their first game under Brooking, the former England international who has been handed the managerial reins while Glenn Roeder recuperates from a minor stroke, created plenty of openings but also rode their luck at Maine Road.
Robbie Fowler and Nicolas Anelka wasted good chances for the home side but West Ham were always dangerous. Striker Les Ferdinand, later to be stretchered off with a suspected broken leg, twice went close late in the first half.
Jermain Defoe's second half effort was headed off the line by City's Niclas Jensen but the visitors kept pressing and Kanoute pounced after Don Hutchinson had hit the post.
Leaders Manchester United can move five points clear of champions Arsenal with victory at Tottenham Hotspur later today.