Jermain Defoe came off the bench to fire an 89th-minute winner that earned West Ham their first home league win of the season.

The Hammers looked to be heading for another defeat after Dwight Yorke put Rovers ahead on his 350th league appearance in England.

But goals from Paolo di Canio - on his comeback after almost two months out - and Defoe's fine strike handed them a first home league win of the season.

Key moments

38 mins: Dwight Yorke opens the scoring at the second attempt 58 mins: Paolo di Canio levels from the spot 89 mins: Jermain Defoe fires a late winner.

West Ham came out in determined mood following their 6-0 defeat at Manchester United at the weekend.

Di Canio was a constant threat and an early corner from the forward found the head of Tomas Repka before Michael Carrick struck a great shot that was well saved by Brad Friedel.

The follow up fell to Di Canio, but again Friedel was up to the task before Steve Lomas poked the rebound just wide.

Blackburn slowly got into the game with Tugay increasingly influential in midfield.

He played in Andy Cole and when David James rushed out of his goal the striker was able to lift the ball over the keeper.

James' blushes were spared by a desperate header from a back-tracking Repka.

This was three huge, massive points and we hope they will be the turning point of our season Glenn Roeder

But the visitors did not have to wait long to break the deadlock.

Nigel Winterburn gave away a needless free-kick for a foul on Keith Gillespie on the right-hand side.

From the set-piece, David Thompson put in a searching ball that found an unmarked Yorke at the far post.

The striker fluffed his header, but the ball dropped kindly for him to have another go and he hammered home.

West Ham struggled for long periods at Upton Park

There was a flashpoint early in the second period when Lee Bowyer appeared to stamp on Cole after the two players clashed.

Di Canio went on a twisting run before crossing for Les Ferdinand but the striker, who was making his home debut, could not get any power behind his header.

The lively Di Canio was back in the thick of things moments later when he won the Hammers a penalty after a needless foul by Andy Todd.

The Italian got up to take the spot kick and he made no mistake, firing the ball high into the roof of the net.

Rovers could have been back ahead when James sent a clearance straight to the feet of Cole, but from 40 yards out he scuffed his shot.

All credit to West Ham. They're a good football club and have too much quality to go down Graeme Souness

Di Canio was handed a great chance to put the Hammers in the lead, but he was denied by Friedel's feet.

However, there was still time for substitute Defoe to earn them their first league victory since 23 October and first home win in 13 games with a wondeful solo effort.

The West Ham players ran out at Upton Park to the theme tune from the Great Escape.

Defoe's strike could prove to be the start of Mission Impossible.

West Ham: James, Winterburn (Defoe 84), Repka, Pearce, Johnson, Lomas, Cole, Carrick, Bowyer, Les Ferdinand (Kanoute 59), Di Canio (Sinclair 88).
Subs not used: Van der Gouw, Schemmel.

Booked: Cole.

Blackburn: Friedel, McEveley (Jansen 90), Taylor, Todd, Neill, Tugay, Flitcroft, Thompson, Gillespie (Johansson 70), Cole, Yorke (Ostenstad 84).
Subs not used: Robinson, Douglas.

Booked: McEveley.

Attendance: 34,743

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).