London  - West Ham United eased their relegation fears with a 3-1 victory over Fulham on Sunday.

Mark Noble restored West Ham's lead from the penalty spot after Paul Konchesky had cancelled out David Di Michele's early opener.

Carlton Cole added a third to make the game safe with 14 minutes remaining.

The victory lifts West Ham to eighth, eight points off the drop zone.

Fulham, unbeaten in their previous nine, are three points behind but have two games in hand.

Forward Craig Bellamy was left out of the West Ham squad, apparently a reaction to the way he stormed out of training on Friday.

The Wales international has been angered at West Ham's refusal to sell him, despite interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The game itself was a tale of two former West Ham players.

First full-back John Paintsil made a hash of an attempt to chest a cross back to his goalkeeper, letting in Di Michele.

The Italian's first touch took it by goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and his second rolled it into the empty net.

Then Konchesky, the other Fulham full-back, strode forward and, from 35 metres, crashed a swerving shot past Rob Green and into the top corner - his first goal since he scored for West Ham against Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final.

But 20 minutes into the second half, Konchesky turned villain, tripping Cole in the box to concede a penalty that Mark Noble converted.

Cole then calmly rolled in the third from Di Michele's through-ball - meaning he has scored in each of his last five games. dpa