Curbishley hits out at Hammers fans

Disgruntled West Ham fans also chanted 'You don't know what you're doing' in the 75th minute when Curbishley replaced young striker Freddie Sears with Carlton Cole. But Curbishley was vindicated two minutes later when Cole fired the winner from a cross by Freddie Ljungberg.

"We are delighted to get the result," said the Hammers boss. "But I am a bit disappointed because there has not been too much appreciation of what has gone and what we have had to put up with this year."

He continued: "I don't think there is much appreciation going on at the moment and I can't do too much about that.

"The players are very disappointed with it. But I know what happens here, you put the results together and it turns the other way.

"When the team is winning, people don't like coming here because of the backing we get. When they are not happy they let you know. But surely there has got to be some realism and appreciation of what has happened to us this year week-in, week-out we've been under the cosh.

"I have been very appreciative of the players who have been playing because we have had loads of problems. We've had players missing all year and I think we had 14 out for this game.

Derby boss Paul Jewell was delighted with his side's second-half performance, but he knows his biggest job will be undertaken in the summer.

"I thought we played well in the second half," said the Rams boss. "I think West Ham were hanging on at the end. We just didn't have that final pass or killer instinct, but the second-half performance augurs well for next season.

"The whole mentality of the club will change in the summer. Some people will be going out and some will be coming in. What keeps me going is the support we've had, they have been unbelievable. They have encouraged us, even though they know we are not good enough. They have stayed with the team."