Burnley 2 West Ham United 1: I'll still get tough with selection if I need to says Laws

David Nugent and debutant Danny Fox grabbed the goals which ended a 12-game winless streak and sunk West Ham United.

It was a result Laws believes can kickstart the club's season but he left the popular Chris Eagles out of the starting line-up and insisted he would not be afraid to make other equally tough decisions as he draws on his squad strength to see the club through.

Laws said: "In the next game it could be someone else who is left out even though we've won. Every decision we make is a tough one and the justification is there if you win the game.

"But there is great belief now in the camp. The important thing is there's been no sign of panic.

"We have to show that bit of calmness around the place and understand we're going to be under the cosh."

The Clarets were left to cling on for the win, which lifted them above the sinking Hammers and out of the relegation zone, after Nugent produced a delicious lob over Robert Green in the 14th minute.

Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola was left to bemoan his side's poor start with debutant Benni McCarthy struggling to make an impression although he had an effort booted off the line by Leon Cort on the half-hour.

Fox sealed a dream debut in the 55th minute when he curled home a right-wing free-kick from a tight angle after Jack

Collison had given away the set-piece with a push on Tyrone Mears.

But the Hammers stormed back with Brazilian newcomer Ilan stabbing home a loose ball in the box in the 80th minute after Scott Parker had gone close and Carlton Cole had seen a 'goal' correctly disallowed.

Cole toe-poked home in a crowded box after a cross by Julian Faubert, but his effort was disallowed for offside.

In a frantic ending, Laws's men almost let their hard-earned points slip away as 1,000-a-week substitute Mido sent in a low shot which bounced back off the foot of Brian Jensen's left-hand post.

Laws admitted he was left to breathe a mighty sigh of relief and said his side's ability to hang on for the win could ultimately prove to have an enormous impact on their survival battle.

The former Sheffield Wednesday manager said: "Now we've got that result under our belts we can march on. We have the belief that we can go to Fulham and get a result there.

"It's onwards and upwards – we have to believe this is the start of our season."

Laws added: "It was a huge three points and when you talk about games you have to win this was one of them. There was so much pressure but the players were magnificent.

"David Nugent scored a fantastic goal and it set the tone of the game. It gave us great belief because we haven't been in this position for such a long time.

"We've got to make this an uncomfortable place for any team coming here and the fans play a huge part in that. To play under that kind of pressure proves the players can get results."

Laws's West Ham counterpart Zola refused to be too downhearted at the result but the league table tells a different story, with the Hammers slipping back into the relegation zone and extending their poor run to one win in 10.

Zola believes his side have been improving in recent weeks and that the influx of new players including McCarthy, Mido and Ilan up front will pay off handsomely. But he also knows time is running out.

Zola said: "We have to be quick to get the new players into our system. I was pleased with them because Mido was magnificent and Ilan scored, but we really have to start using the whole 90 minutes.

"My only regret is the first 20 minutes when we weren't good enough. We have improved over the last six weeks and this has been a little step back but we will come back stronger, I'm sure about that."

Debutant Fox played the biggest part in Hammers' downfall. The former Celtic left-back arrived at Turf Moor last month in a 1.8m switch and it already looks like money well spent.

First he delivered the long ball in the 14th minute for Nugent to lob home the opener. Then his curled free-kick from a tight angle in the 55th minute flashed into the top corner of Green's net, giving the England goalkeeper no chance.

Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Cort, Carlisle, Fox (Edgar 86), Elliott, Bikey, McDonald, Blake (Paterson 72), Nugent (Thompson 88), Fletcher. Unused substitutes: Weaver, Duff, Eagles, Cork.

West Ham United: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Parker, Behrami, Collison (Stanislas 62), Noble (Ilan 77), Cole, McCarthy (Mido 46). Unused substitutes: Stech, Kovac, Da Costa, Ilunga.

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire).