Laws grabs first Burnley win

Fox: Dream debut

Man of the Match: Danny Fox. Who could have imagined the left-back would have such an impact on his debut? A long ball through created the opener while his fierce free-kick secured the three-points.

Goal of the Match: Fox's free-kick may have some sceptics, but the former Celtic man claimed that it was intentional after the match and it could not have been hit any better either way.

Save of the Match: Just moments after Burnley's second, Scott Parker drilled in a low effort from just inside the area that looked goal-bound but Brian Jensen got down superbly to tip it round the post.

Talking Point: West Ham fans have been buoyed by a takeover and new signings but their fight against relegation is as serious as ever. Can the Hammers survive?

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Brian Laws won his first match in charge of Burnley as the Clarets moved out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 victory against West Ham.

The hosts were on top in the opening stages and took the lead less than 15 minutes in through David Nugent.

New left-back Danny Fox lifted a long ball through to the on-loan striker, who caught Matthew Upson off-guard before lifting the ball over Robert Green and into the net.

Debuting Benni McCarthy looked to have levelled the scores when he rounded Brian Jensen but Leon Cort raced back to clear off the line.

Fox then continued his dream debut when his free-kick evaded everyone in the area and sailed into the top corner.

The visitors had their chances and managed to pull a goal back when Brazilian debutant Ilan came off the bench to slot into an empty net.

Fellow deadline-day signing Mido then almost levelled it in the dying stages when his outstretched leg turned the ball beyond Jensen only for it to come back off the post.

Streak ended

The win ends a run of three straight league defeats for Laws and a club run stretching back 12 long games to the end of October.

Laws had made two changes to the side that pushed Chelsea close, and they combined to net the opener in the 14th minute

Nugent's perfectly-weighted lob from just inside the box beat the advancing Green and gave the Burnley fans the start they wanted.

The Hammers were offering precious little in response with their own debutant McCarthy spooning his first chance wide then seeing a neat one-two with Mark Noble come to nothing.

Jack Collison had their best chance in the 25th minute when his drive struck Tyrone Mears and looped dangerously towards goal where Fox eventually cleared.

A rare opening for Carlton Cole on the half hour saw the striker make room down the right flank but his eventual shot was easily gathered down low by Jensen.

The Hammers came close in the 32nd minute when Scott Parker threaded a superb ball to McCarthy, who turned Jensen but saw his shot booted off the line by Cort.

Chance

Mido replaced McCarthy at half-time and the Egyptian had the first chance of the second period when he was fed by Cole but lashed his shot high and wide.

Burnley increased their lead on 55 minutes after winning a free-kick on the edge of the box from Jack Collison's blatant push on Mears.

Fox stepped up to curl home a fantastic set-piece from a tight angle on the right, the ball flashing into Green's top corner and giving the keeper no chance.

Parker came close to reducing the deficit almost immediately when his low shot was brilliantly tipped round the post by Burnley keeper Jensen.

Cole had the ball in the net in the 66th minute when he poked home in a crowded box after a cross by Julian Faubert, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

The visitors came close again in the 71st minute when substitute Junior Stanislas almost outdid Fox, flinging in a free-kick from close to the left corner flag which cannoned off the bar.

Then the Hammers battled back with Ilan stabbing home a loose ball in the box before Mido's dramatic late effort left the Clarets hanging on by a thread.