West Ham United remain without a win at home this season and rooted to the foot of the Premiership after Fulham earned a point at Upton Park.

Jean Tigana's side looked on course to push Glenn Roeder's side even deeper into relegation trouble when Facundo Sava put Fulham ahead early in the second half.

The players are thinking about trying to get us out of this hole we're in - and it is a big one Hammers' boss Glenn Roeder

And while Trevor Sinclair's penalty at least gave the Hammers a crumb of comfort, a point is nowhere near good enough for under-fire boss Roeder.

And West Ham's problems piled up when Tomas Repka was sent off in the dying seconds for dissent.

West Ham are attempting to become the first team to avoid relegation after being bottom at Christmas - but on this showing they are unlikely to avoid that grim fate.

Glenn Roeder looks on anxiously against Fulham

West Ham recalled Freddie Kanoute in attack - but it made little difference in a woeful first half performance from the home side.

Roeder's side were jittery, with nerves affecting goalkeeper David James as early as the eighth minute.

James struck a backpass straight at Sava, and was forunate to see it rebound narrowly wide.

The Hammers responded, and it took a goal-line clearance from Rufus Brevett to stop Christian Dailly's header.

West Ham finally produced a genuine threat as the interval approached when Maik Taylor - in after Edwin van der Sar broke a foot - saved well from Sinclair.

Jermain Defoe hit the post with a 22-yard free-kick with in the final seconds of the first half.

But it was Fulham who increased the anxiety inside Upton Park by taking the lead after 49 minutes.

Repka walks after his red card

Steve Marlet's pass found Steve Finnan raiding down the right flank, and he provided the cross for Sava to score from only six yards out at the far post.

Sava immediately donned his trademark "Zorro" mask - although there was no disguising the anguish on the faces of the home fans.

West Ham needed a break - and they got it when they were awarded a penalty after 65 minutes.

Sylvain Legwinski handled Dailly's downward header and Sinclair swept the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

It was a penalty because it was handball - but before that, there was a foul committed on goalkeeper Maik Taylor Fulham assistant manager Christian Damiano

But James immediately had to come to West Ham's rescue when he saved Marlet's point-blank effort.

The France striker then shot wide from another great opportunity.

West Ham's fans were frustrated, and they were not helped by Repka's idiotic dismissal for a senseless bout of arguing with referee Dermot Gallagher in injury time.

Watch a round up of the Boxing day Premiership action

West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Winterburn, Cole, Lomas (Hutchison 76), Carrick, Sinclair, Defoe, Kanoute (Pearce 68).
Subs Not Used: Bywater, Breen, Moncur.

Sent Off: Repka (90).

Booked: Winterburn, Repka.

Fulham: Taylor, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Brevett, Malbranque (Goldbaek 78), Legwinski (Djetou 65), Wome, Davis, Sava (Hammond 89), Marlet.
Subs Not Used: Herrera, Knight.

Booked: Legwinski.

Attendance: 35,025

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).