LONDON: West Ham’s chances of hosting European football next season at the Olympic Stadium received a boost on Saturday, after they beat relegation-threatened Sunderland 1-0 at Upton Park to climb to provisional fifth place in the Premier League.

Winger Michail Antonio scored the game’s only goal in the 30th minute, cutting in from the right touchline and muscling past three Sunderland defenders to curl the ball past keeper Vito Mannone.

Sunderland remain anchored in the drop zone in 19th place, with manager Sam Allardyce enduring a miserable first return to Upton Park since leaving West Ham last year.

Currently in the Europa League positions, West Ham are now unbeaten in their last 13 home games in all competitions ahead of their move to the Olympic Stadium next season.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2016