On a night when some of West Ham's former heroes turned up to pay tribute to the late Ron Greenwood, it was perhaps fitting that Alan Pardew's side moved into the top six of the Barclays Premiership.

The former West Ham and England manager passed away after a long illness last week but would surely have approved of the way the Hammers claimed their seventh straight victory.

A goal in each half from Marlon Harewood and another from Dean Ashton ensured they overtook Wigan and Bolton surpassed the 40-point mark which so many managers view as the benchmark for safety in the top flight.

The home side were clearly determined to lift the spirits of the Upton Park faithful as they set about lowly City with a fire and tenacity that had the visitors struggling to keep pace.

Having seized the initiative, West Ham were unlucky not to open their account as early as the second minute when Ashton, taking advantage of a fine pass from Harewood, despatched a right-foot shot from 20 yards which Maik Taylor gathered at the second attempt.

Relegation-haunted City had been at the centre of a pre-match controversy surrounding midfielder Nicky Butt when the former Manchester United midfielder was alleged to have stormed off after learning his services were not required.

City boss Steve Bruce played down the incident but they could have done with Butt's tenacious all-action style in midfield as West Ham continued to dominate the early exchanges.

Their pressure paid off when they took the lead in the 10th minute, Harewood firing home after Birmingham's defence failed to deal with a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area.

Three minutes later an error by Alex Bruce almost allowed Hayden Mullins to grab a second but the City defender atoned for his mishap by regaining possession as Mullins prepared to shoot.

West Ham continued to push forward at every opportunity and Danny Gabbidon should have done better with a free header from six yards when he was picked out by a left-wing cross from Matthew Etherington on the half-hour.

In the 32nd minute, Stephen Clemence tried his luck from 25 yards but his effort flew well over.

In the 39th minute a corner from Jermaine Pennant was met by the head of Bruce but he did not have sufficient freedom to direct his header on target.

A minute before half-time Jiri Jarosik tried to outfox Shaka Hislop with a 25-yard low drive but the West Ham goalkeeper had the ball covered as it skidded across the wet turf.

The home side, clearly mindful of the lacklustre way they had finished the opening 45 minutes, upped the pace once again from the restart.

Etherington, his speed and trickery always a threat for any full-back, sent an angled 20-yard drive flashing past Taylor's left-hand upright in the 47th minute.

City wasted a fine chance to equalise in the 57th minute when Chris Sutton found Mikael Forssell in space with a neat header but he failed to connect with the ball.

The miss seamed to reignite the home side's desire and substitute Christian Dailly forced Taylor into a fine save with a powerful drive on the hour.

Their renewed vigour brought them a second goal in the 62nd minute when Martin Latka handled in the penalty area and referee Dermot Gallagher pointed to the spot before booking the City defender.

Harewood's initial penalty was well saved by Taylor but the West Ham striker reacted first to slip home the rebound.

In the 65th minute, Ashton made it three when a cross from full-back Lionel Scaloni evaded City's defence and the West Ham striker nodded home at the far post for his second goal in as many starts since his £7million move from Norwich.

Teams

West Ham Hislop, Scaloni, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky,Benayoun, Mullins (Dailly 46), Reo-Coker,Etherington (Katan 77), Ashton (Zamora 77), Harewood.

Subs Not Used: Bywater, Sheringham.

Goals: Harewood 11, 63, Ashton 65.

Birmingham Maik Taylor, Melchiot, Cunningham,Latka (Clapham 71), Gray, Pennant, Bruce, Clemence,Jarosik (Painter 71), Sutton, Forssell (Campbell 67).

Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Birley.

Booked: Bruce, Latka.

Att: 31,294

Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).