Maverick takes the wheel of the Brooking bandwagon

West Ham United 1 Chelsea

Of course, it had to be him. Call Paolo Di Canio what you will: the bane of Glenn Roeder's managerial career, the maddening maverick with a persistent line in self-justification, or just a Latin genius with a conjuror's ability to pluck a pass from nowhere. Yesterday, Di Canio, in his valedictory appearance here – his contract is not being renewed – was simply West Ham's lifesaver, or perhaps the man who administered resuscitation when it appeared the heart was fading. It must be said, though, that they still require the god of seemingly lost causes to smile on them.

Di Canio had missed eight games, ostensibly because of a "gastric problem", but was recalled by caretaker manager Trevor Brooking to yesterday's squad and then sent into the fray with just over half an hour remaining.

Yet the Italian maestro required none of his legendary prowess to win this for the Hammers. It needed nothing more than for him to be ideally placed when circumstances required, as they did in the 71st minute. What will have been the reaction of Roeder, who was allowed home from hospital yesterday following treatment for his minor stroke, and, according to Brooking, had listened to the match on the radio?

Di Canio's goal meant that, for the first time since early November, West Ham were out of the bottom three – albeit for only three hours until Bolton drew at Southampton – and now it all goes down to next Sunday at Birmingham, when West Ham will probably have to win – and hope that Bolton and Leeds' results are in their favour.

But at least they have given themselves a chance of eluding the drop, and it was the striker who had basically undermined Roeder's authority, who was hailed loudest by an ecstatic home crowd as West Ham embarked on a "lap of honour" – a curious tribute for a team who still face relegation. But by Upton Park definitions, the last two weeks have been worthy of an accolade. "The players have stood up when it really mattered," declared Brooking, who explained that it had been decided beforehand to play three up front, that trio to include Les Ferdinand. Only a week ago the former Spurs striker had collided with Peter Schmeichel and been carried off with a suspected broken leg at Maine Road. The fact that he was in the starting line-up was a testament to his recovery processes.

"Les shouldn't have played really," explained Brooking. "But we had Paolo in the wings for the last half hour, although he wasn't match fit." Some understudy. His goal, followed by the inevitable ripping-off of his shirt, provoked scenes of unfettered euphoria on and off the pitch.

By all accounts, Di Canio could barely speak for half an hour afterwards. That in itself must be something of a record. He admitted: "It's been a very emotional day. The players all shook hands with me, but I couldn't say anything. It's been overwhelming."

The afternoon had begun with West Ham's chairman Terry Brown adopting a tone of humility with an apology before the game for the straits in which his club had found themselves, conceding that it had been the consequence of "belt tightening". He added, in his comments in the match programme: "While this belt tightening should allow us to cope with the massive reduction in revenue if relegated it will probably have been a cause of that relegation... with the benefit of hindsight one could argue that the board might have acted differently."

On a palm-sweating afternoon, an expectant, fervent crowd demanded nothing less than an all-out onslaught from their men, and they received it with both Frédéric Kanouté and Ferdinand going close early on. Towards the interval, both Trevor Sinclair and Steve Lomas spurned acceptable chances.

Having withstood the initial pounding Claudio Ranieri's side began to probe the West Ham rearguard with purpose. But Chelsea have been damned by their inconsistency and here again they failed to assert themselves, despite periods of dominance in which Hammers old boy Frank Lampard – recipient of a typical East End welcome back for a one-time hero, a persistent volley of abuse – and Emmanuel Petit played significant parts.

In the first half, a Lampard header was cleared off the line by Rufus Brevett, and the former Upton Park man saw a shot drift narrowly wide. In the dying moments Lampard forced a splendid save from David James. But defeat means they still need at least a draw at home to Liverpool next week to ensure Champions' League qualification. Winner takes all.

After the break, West Ham were ever-nearer to a breakthrough. Sinclair hung a tempting cross for Kanouté, but the Frenchman headed wide. Desperation time was reached in the 56th minute when a mighty roar greeted Di Canio's appearance.

Twenty minutes from time, it was Cole, superb throughout, who strode forward and stroked an exquisite ball for Sinclair on the right of the area. His was far from ideal, but it bounced invitingly off William Gallas, and there was Di Canio waiting to pounce and smash the ball high into the net.

Chelsea brought on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Carlton Cole but to no avail. West Ham clung on for the victory, and deservedly so. The Hammers survive for at least another week. And a rather chuffed Brooking was able to enjoy an evening as the Premiership's only unbeaten manager.

West Ham United 1 Chelsea 0
Di Canio 71

Half-time: 0-0 Attendance: 35,042