Curbishley: Solano has key role

His crazy in-off goal, from his first meaningful touch of the ball, was the key moment as the Hammers clinched a much-needed win, but the goal will not even be awarded to to substitute Solano as it was officially recorded as an own goal by Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon.

West Ham manager Alan Curbishley, who raised a few eyebrows when he signed Solano on a free transfer from Newcastle last month, said: "The reason I brought him here was just for exactly what he did. He has a great first touch, brings other people into the game and calms us down a bit when we need it."

He added: "He's actually been here five weeks but four of those have been international breaks and he has only trained with us five times.

"He arrived back from Chile on Saturday morning and I thought it would be best used as a sub, but we needed a shake-up in the second half and although I got some stick for it I think I made the right changes."

Solano, who had retired from international football after a bust-up with Peruvian officials, has returned to the South Americans' team and played twice for his country last week.

Curbishley has taken a gamble with him to ease West Ham's injury problems and his entry to the fray proved timely after three consecutive defeats.

West Ham were under siege and may well have been beaten again but for Robert Green's marvellous save to deny Grant Leadbitter, whose rifling shot was turned against a post by the keeper who admits he has fierce England ambitions.

Curbishley enthused: "It was a match-winning save if you like and sums up all that Greenie has done this season. England He's certainly done himself no harm."