Paulo Wanchope was the unlikely hero as he came of the bench to rescue West Ham with two well-taken goals.

The giant Costa Rican striker has taken so much abuse from his own fans this season that his confidence has hit rock-bottom.

But he showed tremendous character to head home a goal on the hour, just six minutes after coming on, and cancel out Gary Speed's well-taken opener for the visitors three minutes into the second half.

Then in the final minute he turned cleverly in the six-yard box and scooped home a winner which hardly looked likely half an hour earlier.

Newcastle had deserved their lead, having twice been denied by the crossbar in the first half.

The goal came when Kieron Dyer's cross from the right was deflected into Speed's path by the arm of Marc-Vivien Foe, and midfielder pounced with a fierce low drive from 15 yards which beat Craig Forrest inside his right hand post.

But the goal sparked West Ham into life and they hit back when Paolo Di Canio sent in a deep cross from the right and Wanchope powered in a downward header which Shay Given could only help into the net at his far post.

West Ham applied all the pressure in the closing stages and forced the winner from the unlikely source of Wanchope.

The night had started with the focus on Canio before a ball was even kicked at Upton Park.

First, the Italian striker had the pleasure of collecting the Goal of the Month award from BBC's Match of the Day programme for his stunning volley against Wimbledon.

Then he met up with Paul Alcock on a football pitch for the first time since his infamous push on the Kent official in September 1998 when playing for Sheffield Wednesday, which earned him an 11-match ban and £10,000 fine.

To add a little extra spice to their reunion, Di Canio was captain of the Hammers in place of injured Steve Lomas, so he had to go through the protocol of shaking hands with Alcock before the tossing of the referee's coin.

It was over in an instant, although it was noticeable that Di Canio failed to look the official in the eye.

Both teams had more important things to worry about than old hostilities, however. For West Ham, this was their first match since the 7-1 drubbing at Manchester United.

Newcastle, meanwhile, were looking to shrug off the disappointment of losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday, and secure the victory which would see them climb above the Hammers in the table.

It was almost a dream start for the Hammers after two minutes when Frederic Kanoute knocked the ball into the path of Frank Lampard, but the slippery ball flew just wide as he hit it on the half-volley.

Kanoute was tripped to win a free-kick after 13 minutes but when it was tapped short to Keller his low drive from 25 yards was well wide.

Newcastle's first threat came after 16 minutes when Domi whipped in a waist-high cross from the left. It might have proved tricky for goalkeeper Forrest but he did well to clutch it from the slippery surface as Speed and Dyer arrived in the six-yard box.

West Ham then had a lucky escape two minutes later. Dyer used his pace down the left to get round the back of the defence and pull the ball back for Domi. His first-time shot beat Forrest but looped up and hit the underside of the bar, before bouncing to safety.

The woodwork saved West Ham again after 28 minutes when Nolberto Solano crossed from the right and Alan Shearer headed the ball against the bar. It then hit the back of Forrest and went out for a corner.

Newcastle's last win in the capital was at Crystal Palace back in November 1997, but they deserved their lead three minutes into the second half.

The goal prompted Hammers boss Harry Redknapp into making an attacking double substitution after 54 minutes, with Neil Ruddock and Marc Keller being replaced by Wanchope and Gary Charles.

The re-shuffle had the desired effect. A minute later Di Canio's free-kick from the left flank saw Foe send in a downward header which bounced over the bar.

Then Cole let fly a minute later with a rasping shot from 20 yards, which Shay Given pushed away with a superb dive to his left.

But it was Wanchope who enjoyed a rare moment in the limelight with two goals which suggested that, despite the arrival on loan of Kanoute until the end of the season, he is prepared to fight for his West Ham future.

West Ham: Forrest, Stimac (Margas 79), Ruddock (Charles 53), Ferdinand, Minto, Cole, Foe, Lampard, Keller (Wanchope 53), Kanoute, Di Canio.

Subs Not Used: Feuer, A. Newton.

Booked: Minto, Stimac.

Goals: Wanchope 60, 89.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Goma, Dabizas (Howey 48), Hughes, Solano, Lee, Speed, Domi, Shearer, Dyer (Ketsbaia 86).

Subs Not Used: Harper, Gavilan, Antunes.

Booked: Lee, Solano.

Goals: Speed 48.

Att: 25,817

Ref: P Alcock (Halstead).