Aston Villa's Scott Carson (second right) brings down Manchester United's Carlos Tevez (centre) and concedes a penalty during their English Premier League soccer match at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on Saturday. United won 4-1. - REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters):

West Ham United avoided a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat yesterday, beating Sunderland 3-1 at Upton Park.

Carlton Cole headed West Ham in front after nine minutes but Sunderland gained a deserved equaliser shortly after the break when the lively Kenwyne Jones headed past Robert Green.

Sunderland were unlucky not to go in front when Grant Leadbitter's shot came back off a post and they suffered more ill fortune when West Ham substitute Nolberto Solano's shot hit the woodwork and went into the net off keeper Craig Gordon.

Jones headed a good chance wide as Sunderland looked for an equaliser, but Craig Bellamy sealed the points for West Ham with a neat finish in the 90th minute.

Victory lifted West Ham one place in the table to 10th with 13 points. Sunderland are just above the relegation zone with eight points.

The top seven all won on Saturday, with Arsenal maintaining a two-point lead over Manchester United, thanks to a 2-0 home victory over Bolton Wanderers. United were 4-1 winners at Aston Villa.