By Frank Keogh Relieved West Ham fan at Upton Park

Party time: Cole and Defoe celebrate

It was a long time coming - eight months and nearly 20 hours of football, in fact.

But say it loud, and proud, West Ham have won a Premiership game at home - at last.

And Wednesday night's 2-1 win over Blackburn offers hope that the Hammers may yet stave off relegation.

Just days after the 6-0 FA Cup drubbing by Man Utd, the Upton Park faithful now have six reasons to be cheerful, not tearful...

1. The fans

West Ham's long-suffering supporters provided a cauldron of sound as Jermain Defoe conjured up a late winner.

Many of those 32,000 fans forked out more than �600 for a season ticket only to see their side taken apart this season by West Brom, Birmingham, and others.

Aside from the needless booing of out-of-form Trevor Sinclair, the E13 mob have shown their true colours - and they're claret and blue.

2. Paolo's back

PAOLO AT WEST HAM

League apps: 111 (2) Goals: 45 2002-03: 13 apps, 7 gls

The stage was set for returning icon Paolo di Canio, and the maverick Italian striker delivered again with an equaliser from the penalty spot.

Di Canio's early comeback from knee surgery lifted the atmosphere - and Frenchman Frederic Kanoute provided another boost.

If Paolo helps his side stay in the top-flight, he will cement his place in the Hammers Hall of Fame.

3. Too good to go down

Well, it's surely more a case of West Brom, Sunderland and Bolton being too bad to stay up.

While West Ham had not won in the Premiership for 97 days, their relegation rivals just could not take advantage.

All the bottom sides still have to play each other, and none of the others have the magnificent seven - Di Canio, Defoe, Sinclair, Kanoute, Cole, Bowyer and Carrick.

4. The stats

All in the past? Cole and Bowyer at old Trafford

Everyone down the local loves to trot out a football stat - and few are more popular than the one that was revived at the turn of the year:

No side that is bottom of the Premiership at Christmas has ever survived relegation.

Well, here's another fact - West Ham have never been relegated when the year ends in three!

5. Wise heads

When the chips are down, you need some deep-fat triers.

Step forward, "Sir" Les Ferdinand and Nigel Winterburn. Combined age: 74.

Winterburn rightly left the field last on Wednesday to a standing ovation. He doesn't want to be relegated in his final season.

6. Splitting hairs

Going down? You must be joking

You can even sense a new "bounce" in manager Glenn Roeder's barnet.

His side-parting showed more movement than most of his defenders have all season as he jumped up and down on the spot after West Ham's winner.

Of course, Glenn being Glenn, he immediately stopped himself and sheepishly shook the hand of rival manager Graeme Souness. A priceless moment.

Come on you Irons!