Crysencio Summerville has emerged as West Ham's saviour once again, netting the solitary goal that secured a vital 1-0 triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Dutch winger capitalised on a calamitous error from Fulham shot-stopper Bernd Leno, registering his seventh strike across his previous ten outings for the Hammers.
This hard-fought victory lifts Graham Potter's side level on points with Nottingham Forest in 17th position.
Only goal difference keeps West Ham inside the drop zone.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The result also serves as a stark warning to Tottenham, who now find themselves merely a single point clear of both clubs in the survival scrap.
West Ham demonstrated clear attacking ambition from the opening whistle.
Jarrod Bowen surged forward within 30 seconds to set up Taty Castellanos, whose effort was kept out by Leno.
The England World Cup hopeful Bowen then received a return pass from Castellanos but saw his attempt deflected away from goal.
West Ham United celebrated after scoring the only goal of the game
|GETTY
The Hammers skipper also dragged another opportunity wide.
Fulham, chasing a third consecutive victory but hampered by the absence of nine-goal winger Harry Wilson through an ankle problem, turned to teenager Josh King for creativity.
The youngster twice threatened but was thwarted by crucial interventions from Axel Disasi and Tomas Soucek.
Alex Iwobi tested Mads Hermansen with a pair of long-range strikes before the interval.
Only goal difference keeps West Ham inside the drop zone
|GETTY
The West Ham goalkeeper produced a sharp save with his leg to deny King's snapshot just before the break.
The second period began with Leno brilliantly palming away a Soucek header over his crossbar.
Controversy then erupted when referee Matthew Donohue awarded Fulham a spot-kick for a challenge on Tom Cairney, only for VAR to reveal the Cottagers captain had actually caught Castellanos on the calf, prompting the official to overturn his decision.
West Ham continued pressing, with Leno forced to prevent a Samuel Chukwueze own goal.
West Ham demonstrated clear attacking ambition from the opening whistle
|GETTY
Callum Wilson and Soucek narrowly failed to connect with Summerville's delivery across the face of goal, while Emile Smith Rowe squandered a golden chance after meeting Iwobi's cross at the back post.
Moments later, Leno's rush of blood proved decisive as he charged from his area to intercept a through-ball, only to present possession directly to Bowen.
The captain calmly laid the ball off to Summerville, who composed himself before rolling into the unguarded net.
Fulham, still harbouring European aspirations, pushed for an equaliser through Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz, both firing narrowly over, before Hermansen denied Smith Rowe in added time to preserve what could prove a season-defining result.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter