Burnley 2-1 West Ham: The Sunday Mirror match report

It was just what Burnley needed – and doubtless had the Royal seal of approval.

Burnley’s first Premier League win since the end of October – and a maiden success for new manager Brian Laws – lifted the Lancashire club out of the bottom three and above their hapless opponents.

News of the momentous event presumably reached Prince Charles, revealed this past week as a Clarets fan.

HRH visited Turf Moor and wished his team good luck in their relegation fight.

Perhaps they should give him a season ticket.

Whatever Charlie Boy’s influence, Burnley were a side inspired to produce the kind of purpose and defiance they will require to preserve their top flight status.

They hounded West Ham all afternoon and induced the mistakes that proved the undoing of Gianfranco Zola’s men.

David Nugent capitalised on Matthew Upson’s howler and new boy Danny Fox delivered a stunning free-kick to effectively clinch the points.

The Hammers mustered a late rally and one of their transfer window signings, Ilan, gave Burnley a tense last few minutes.

He reduced Burnley’s lead and might even have salvaged a point in the frantic finale.

But too few West Ham players matched the desire of Scott Parker, and Burnley will feel they were overdue a rub of the green.

The home side made a bright start and took the lead in the 14th minute when a long ball from Fox allowed Nugent to drift in behind Matthew Upson and calmly lob the stranded Robert Green.

West Ham recovered their composure and new signing Benni McCarthy almost unhinged Burnley as he steered an effort wide.

Jack Collison and Carlton Cole also went close for the Hammers but McCarthy had the best chance when he rounded keeper Brian Jensen, only to see Leon Cort clear his stabbed attempt off the line.

And it proved a costly miss for the Hammers as Fox made it 2-0 in the 55th minute, his curling free-kick deceiving Green and finding the top corner.

Substitute Junior Stanislas then struck the frame of Burnley’s goal with a free-kick and, although Ilan pulled one back for the Hammers in the 81st minute, it was too little too late.