Three goals in four games have saved West Ham from the drop

Unless Hull City score an unprecedented number of goals in their final two Premier League games, West Ham are safe from the nightmare of relegation.

Scott Parker's stunning strike defeated Wigan last weekend and made sure that six points and a 23 goal swing separates the Hammers from the drop zone.

However, perhaps the real hero of West Ham's battle for survival is Brazilian striker Ilan.

The unknown forward arrived along with two seasoned Premier League campaigners in the January transfer window as Gianfranco Zola trawled Europe for a goalscorer that would save his managerial life.

Many expected Benni McCarthy to be that man, but when injury robbed him of his chance Mido took centre stage.

The former Tottenham and Middlesbrough striker showed glimpses of quality only to end up on the sidelines without getting on the scoresheet.

And so it was Ilan, on-loan from one-time French greats Saint Etienne, who was the one to do what his rivals for a place in the first team and in the hearts of the Hammers faithful could not.

He scored goals.

The 29-year-old netted on his debut against Burnley as a substitute and then waited for his time to come again.

With the clock running down towards the final whistle he was thrown into the action against Everton in another can't-lose game for a team battling against oblivion.

Ilan, who played twice for his country in 2003, duly delivered, converting Julian Faubert's devilish cross with a diving header in the 87th minute to level the scores.

Six days later he was in the starting 11 and got the only goal of the game to beat Sunderland.

He struggled against Liverpool in a drab 3-0 defeat, but grabbed another vital goal in a must-win game against Wigan, equalising after Jonathan Spector had put the ball into his own net.

A natural predator who comes alive in the penalty area, Ilan made his name in his homeland for Atletico Paranaense, where his goals earned him a move to Sochaux.

He flourished at the French club, scoring at almost a goal every other game, before moving to Les Verts in 2006.

Positive about his future at Upton Park, despite reports in France to the contrary, Ilan has struck up an incisive partnership with Carlton Cole and will be looking for his fifth goal of the season against London rivals Fulham on Sunday.