West Ham registered its first points of the Premier League season with a 2-0 win at home to Huddersfield Town to relieve the pressure on Slaven Bilic.
David Wagner's Huddersfield had not conceded a goal ahead of Monday's meeting at London Stadium, but that run was ended with Pedro Obiang's 72nd-minute deflected strike before Andre Ayew doubled the Hammers' advantage to give Bilic a much-needed present on his 49th birthday.
Athletics events at the stadium meant West Ham started the league season with three consecutive away games - and a trio of defeats piled extra importance on its return to a rain-soaked arena that was hardly homely at times last term.
West Ham toiled for long periods after hitting the woodwork early on through Javier Hernandez, whose withdrawal for Ayew 25 minutes from time brought jeers in Bilic's direction.
But Obiang's hopeful effort looped over Jonas Lossl after diverting wickedly off Mathias Jorgensen and Ayew then justified his introduction with a clinching strike from close range.
After seeing Crystal Palace - without a point and now bottom - sack Frank de Boer earlier in the day, Bilic must feel a sense of relief that his side is finally off the mark.
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