GOALS from Luis Boa Morte, Yossi Benayoun and Marlon Harewood maintained West Ham's bid for survival on a day when man-of-themoment Carlos Tevez sparkled. Although this was the Hammers' fifth win in seven matches, they remain in the bottom three, but the impetus is firmly with Alan Curbishley's side. In contrast, it is now seven games without a win for Wigan, who appear the team more likely to be playing Coca-Cola Championship football next season.

On the pitch, it was a fastpaced, but scrappy start. The first half-chance did not materialise until the 13th minute, only for Emmerson Boyce to block a Tevez drive after the Argentinian had skipped past the challenge of Matt Jackson. Heskey followed up for Wigan four minutes later, but after a good build-up, his shot from the edge of the area was tame and easily picked off by Robert Green.

The visitors grabbed a 30th-minute lead courtesy of an horrendous error from goalkeeper John Filan. Lucas Neill's raking pass out of defence was nothing more than hopeful for Boa Morte to chase in a race with Boyce.

Filan, though, opted to sprint off his line and was caught out as Boa Morte flicked out an outstretched left leg, looping the ball over the the Australian from 22 yards and into the net.

That gave the Hammers renewed impetus, and two minutes later the home defence was stretched again, only for Leighton Baines to throw his body in front of a Bobby Zamora drive.

Moments later Tevez curled a right-foot shot a yard wide from inside the area, prior to then being set up by Yossi Benayoun and a neat backheel from Zamora. But his first time effort was blocked by Boyce and then Jackson, with Filan forced to change direction with his dive to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

United made it 2-0 just before the hour, conjuring a stunning counter-attack as Wigan were exposed at the back.

Tevez, McCartney and Zamora were all involved in the sweeping move that culminated in an unmarked Benayoun beating Filan from 10 yards for his third club goal of the season.

It should have been 3-0 in the 65th minute as the Latics defence were again all at sea, mainly due to the inspirational Tevez.

Striding into the area, Tevez first brushed aside Jackson before striking the post with a left-foot drive.

Nigel Reo-Coker latched on to the rebound, striking the ball on the turn, only for Leighton Baines to clear off the line.

After Reo-Coker was then booked for persistent fouling, Hammers boss Alan Curbishley brought on Marlon Harewood for Zamora. Eight minutes from time another incisive counter clinched the points for United, sparked by Tevez intercepting a loose ball just outside the area from McCulloch.

Tevez swept forward, playing the ball on to Reo-Coker who in turn fed Boa Morte, with the final pass falling to Harewood to stroke home his fourth of the season.