Tevez gives Hammers hope

Carlos Tevez, seen here in action in December 2006, gave West Ham fresh hope of mounting an unlikely escape from the relegation zone by inspiring the east London club to a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Carlos Tevez gave West Ham fresh hope of mounting an unlikely escape from the relegation zone by inspiring the east London club to a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough here on Saturday.

The Argentina forward made an early opener for Bobby Zamora then hit the net himself just before half-time as the Hammers followed up their victory over Blackburn in their last league outing with another three points.

It was only the second time this season that West Ham have managed back-to-back wins. But the outcome never really looked in doubt and Alan Curbishley's side are now within five points of fourth-from-bottom Sheffield United with seven matches left to play.

Zamora, restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Marlon Harewood, justified manager Alan Curbishley's faith in him by giving his side the lead with a close-range strike inside two minutes.

Tenacious work by Mark Noble was at the origin of the goal, the midfielder hustling Fabio Rochemback off the ball to earn Tevez the chance to cross from the right.

The Argentinian's delivery ricocheted off a couple of defenders and fell kindly for Zamora, who was left with a straightforward finish.

Zamora might have doubled the lead when he got on the end of another Tevez cross, forcing Mark Shwarzer into a point-blank save at his back post.

Boro had a few half-chances but neither Mark Viduka nor Aiyegbeni Yakubu had their shooting boots on and, after Schwarzer had produced good saves to deny Matthew Etherington and Tevez, it was no surprise when the home side doubled their lead in the final minute of the first half.

Boro defender Andrew Taylor made a hash of dealing with George McCartney's cross from deep and Tevez pounced to claim his third goal in as many matches from close range.

The visitors never looked like mounting a comeback after the break and they had Schwarzer to thank for denying West Ham further goals before Tevez departed to a standing ovation with nine minutes left.