Relegation-battlers West Ham moved clear of the bottom three
as Burnley were beaten 5-3 at Upton Park.
Gianfranco Zola's men recorded only their third Premier League
win of a difficult campaign after three goals in the first half
put them in command.
Jack Collison capitalised on some static defending to race on to
Scott Parker's free-kick and fire the Irons ahead on 18 minutes.
Junior Stanislas slotted home a second, before Carlton Cole converted
a penalty as Burnley were made to pay for poor defending after what
had been a bright start by the visitors when Clarke Carlisle's header
was cleared off the line.
It was damage limitation for the Clarets - who have just one point
from seven away matches on their return to the top flight - after
the hard-working Guillermo Franco headed in a fourth on 51 minutes.
However, there was still time for substitute Luis Jimenez to net
another penalty after he was brought down by keeper Brian Jensen
to give the Irons a morale boost ahead of next week's visit of champions
Manchester United.
Steven Fletcher's late double gave Burnley some consolation, before
Steven Caldwell was sent off during stoppage time and Chris Eagles
then netted a third.
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