Don Hutchison scored the only goal of the game for West Ham, as the relegation-threatened team beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday.
In another Premier League game, Chelsea and Crystal Palace tied 0-0 while Division one leader Tranmere gained a 1-0 victory at Sunderland to restore its three-point lead and Wolves edged Portsmouth 1-0.Hutchison netted his sixth goal of the season in the 20th minute at Highbury after taking a pass from John Moncur.
It was a rare road win for West Ham and Arsenal's first defeat in four games under Stewart Houston, who has temporarily replaced the fired George Graham.
West Ham, which won for the second time in eight league games, moved above Crystak Palace in the standings and now is third from last.
Arsenal, which was held to a 1-1 tie at home by French club Auxerre three days earlier in its defense of the European Cup Winners Cup, again looked out of touch. It has not scored more than one goal in a league match at home since the middle of October and is a disappointing ninth in the standings.
Three minutes after Hutchison's goal, Vince Bartram, substituting in Arsenal's goal for the injured David Seaman, made a stunning save to prevent Martin Allen adding a second goal following a wayward pass by the Gunners' Swedish midfielder, Stefan Schwarz.
Chelsea, which has not won at home since Oct. 23 in the league, failed to impress against a Palace team that created the better chances.