Bellamy at the double

Defoe had the chance to put Pompey ahead on the stroke of half-time but fired wide, allowing West Ham to capitalise with second-half goals from Craig Bellamy, who netted twice, and Carlton Cole.

Nadir Belhadj had earlier given Portsmouth an early lead, but Jack Collison equalised to send the Hammers on their way to only their second win in 13 league games.

West Ham dominated the early exchanges at Fratton Park but Pompey settled their nerves with the opener after eight minutes when left-back Belhadj started and finished a fine sweeping move.

Collison's shot minutes later was deflected wide, but the midfielder made no mistake with West Ham's equaliser midway through the half.

Cole latched on to Mark Noble's free-kick on the left and crossed low to Collison, whose first-time shot went through first the legs of Sylvain Distin and then an unsighted David James.

Portsmouth were awarded a penalty just before the break when Lucas Neill fouled Crouch, but the spot-kick from Defoe, who has not scored in six games, smacked of a player lacking confidence and went wide of Robert Green's right post.

Cole edged West Ham in front in the 69th minute, Bellamy crossing to Collison from the left and after the midfielder's shot came back off the left post, Cole was well placed to stab home.

A third followed when Bellamy was put through one on one with James, rounded him, before rifling home a high shot.

Bellamy added gloss to the scoreline with his second goal late on, providing a neat finish to Luis Boa Morte's low cross.