West Ham United's Michail Antonio, left, gets away from Sunderland's Jan Kirchhoff, right, during the English Premier League Soccer match between West Ham United and Sunderland FC at Upton Park in London. Saturday 27 Feb. 2016. (Adam Davy/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVE
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - West Ham's chances of hosting European football next season at the Olympic Stadium received a boost on Saturday, after it 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 remains 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 is now unbeaten in its last 13 home games in all competitions ahead of its move to the Olympic Stadium next season.
West Ham United's Cheikhou Kouyate , right, and Sunderland's Lee Cattermole, left, battle for the ball, during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Sunderland FC, at Upton Park, in London, Saturday Feb. 27, 2016. (Adam Davy /PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Sunderland's Wahbi Khazri dejected after a missed chance during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham united and Sunderland FC at Upton Park in London. Saturday February 27, 2016. (Adam Davy /PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVE
The Associated Press
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park in London. Saturday Feb. 27, 2016. (Adam Davy /PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce shows his frustration on the touchline during the Englsih Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Sunderland FC at Upton Park in London. Saturday Feb. 27, 2016. (Adam Davy /PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES
The Associated Press