Paulo Wanchope returned to Derby - and left the threat of relegation hanging over his old club.

The lanky Costa Rican striker scored both goals to take his tally for the season to 15.

Wanchope left in the summer for £3.5million and has yet to win over the Hammers fans.

But he has gone a long way to pleasing them in the last four days. He also scored twice in the midweek victory over Newcastle and is right in the mood at the moment.

He troubled Derby all afternoon with his pace and ability. No wonder manager Jim Smith didn't want him to go.

Derby suffered a blow in the pre-match warm up when Stefano Eranio suffered a strain and was replaced by Tony Dorigo.

It was a huge disappointment for Eranio, who had been recalled to the starting line up as Georgi Kinkladze was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Derby, anxious for points, badly missed the gifted Georgian who is on loan from Ajax until the end of the season.

They couldn't get going against a lively Hammers side, who are hopeful of playing in Europe next season.

Derby played some neat football in the opening minutes of the game but their confidence dipped when the visitors opened the scoring.

Scott Minto skipped away from Seth Johnson and delivered a fine cross into the penalty area.

Wanchope stooped low to head into the corner before wheeling away in delight.

Dean Sturridge thought he had equalised two minutes later when keeper Ian Feuer spilled Craig Burley's shot.

But referee Mark Halsey ruled that Sturridge was offside, much to the frustration of the home fans.

The Hammers stepped up the pace and added a second in the 31st minute when Derby were again guilty of poor marking.

Paolo di Canio swung in a corner from the left and Marc-Vivien Foe flicked the ball on.

Wanchope was able to get away from his marker and fired the ball into the corner for his 15th of the season.

Derby's problems increased on the stroke of half-time when defender Stefan Schnoor was carried off, the legacy of a challenge on Wanchope.

The lanky Costa Rican almost added a third in stoppage time when Minto slipped the ball through. However his shot was weak and keeper Mart Poom was able to save comfortably.

Hammers manager Harry Redknapp was forced to make a change two minutes into the second half when Joe Cole was carried off.

Cole was hurt after a stiff tackle by Republic of Ireland international Rory Delap which earned him a booking.

Michael Carrick came on in midfield and Hammers again pushed forward when di Canio and Minto linked up with Steve Elliott forced to make a hurried clearance.

Derby suddenly swept forward and Sturridge got away from Rio Ferdinand, only for Feuer to make a spectacular save from his effort.

Then skipper Darryl Powell got in an overhead kick but Feuer was again equal to the task.

With time running Derby pushed forward again and Feuer pushed way a header from Elliott after Dorigo had delivered the cross.

Hammers defender Igor Stimac became the third player to be stretchered off when he got an accidental kick in the face from Branko Strupar in the 82nd minute.

Derby pulled a goal back six minutes from time when Sturridge scored from close range after Powell had flicked on a corner from Seth Johnson.

They continued to press forward but could not get the vital equaliser, which leaves them facing an end-of-season scrap to preserve their status.

Teams:

Derby: Poom, Laursen, Elliott, Schnoor (Christie 45), Delap, Dorigo (Robinson 89), Powell, Burley, Johnson, Sturridge, Strupar.

Subs Not Used: Oakes, Murray, Riggott.

Booked: Sturridge, Delap.

Goals: Sturridge 84.

West Ham: Feuer, Ferdinand, Stimac (Charles 82), Margas, Minto, Cole (Carrick 47), Foe, Lampard, Sinclair, Wanchope, Di Canio.

Subs Not Used: Bywater, Keller, A. Newton.

Booked: Wanchope, Margas.

Goals: Wanchope 15, 32.

Att: 31,202

Ref: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City).