A FEW seconds of genius from Florin Raducioiu illuminated a gloomy afternoon at Upton Park more than anything that had gone before as West Ham ground out their first victory since late October. "We got done by a breakaway," complained Sunderland's manager Peter Reid. True, but what a breakaway.

In time added on the Romanian, who had left the substitutes' bench only four minutes earlier picked up a ball from Frank Lampard the younger just inside the visitors' half, shook off Andy Melville and raced away to place the ball past Lionel Perez in a manner similar to his only previous goal for the Hammers against Manchester United on December 8.

The £2 million, injury afflicted striker has started only five Premiership games since his arrival from Espanol and insists he will ask for a transfer if he continues to be restricted to cameo appearances. But despite Raducioiu's few impressive minutes, his wonderful goal and the type of standing ovation usually reserved for Luciano Pavarotti, West Ham's assistant manager, Frank Lampard the elder, believes the player still has to learn to cope with the physical demands of the Premiership.

"He's `ad the `ump but we hope he stays," he added. "He's as happy as a sand boy in the dressing room right now and if he keeps scoring goals like that he will have no problems here."

Three points are the most welcome seasonal gift for any team struggling at the wrong end of the table, so they came as a blessed relief for Lampard and his bedridden boss Harry Redknapp, at home with flu. But before Raducioiu's intervention West Ham were hanging on as Sunderland finally realised that they might be in for a point if they tried hard enough.

Slaven Bilic, unmarked, had headed the home side in front from a Danny Williamson corner in the 37th minute and it might have been all over by half time had not Sunderland escaped twice within seconds at the end of the first half when Hugo Porfirio hit a post and Williamson the bar.

Sunderland, remarkably lacking in urgency for a side by no means safe from the survival scramble to come, produced nothing until the 18 year old substitute Michael Bridges - already saddled with a "new Alan Shearer" tag because he was discovered by the same scout - forced Ludek Miklosko into his only save of the game. Suddenly West Ham were on the back foot. Enter Raducioiu and that was that.

For a man made rich on paper by Sunderland's stock market debut, Reid looked glummer than usual afterwards, obviously deeply disappointed with his side's performance. "Once we conceded a goal we got sloppy," he said. "We had no real quality."

Few on the field did, Porfirio producing the only moments of magic before Raducioiu pulled the rabbit out of the hat. Surely West Ham must make sure he stays - and plays.

. Birmingham were yesterday counting the cost of having a third game postponed in the space of a fortnight.

In financial terms City have lost £60,000 in television revenue after yesterday's home game with Tranmere Rovers - due to be shown live on Central TV - was postponed because of a frozen pitch.