London - Tottenham Hotspur moved clear of the relegation zone in the English Premier League with a 2-0 win Monday at West Ham United.

Second-half goals from captain Ledley King and Jamie O'Hara lifted the visiting side to 15th place, three points ahead of the bottom three.

After missing two good first-half chances, Tottenham finally went ahead on 67 minutes when King headed Aaron Lennon's cross into the ground and over West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green.

After Heurelho Gomes made a superb double save to protect the lead, Spurs sealed the win when Jamie O'Hara smashed in the second goal in the dying minutes.

"I'm just pleased with the effort the lads point in," King said.

"Three points was a must for us coming here. It's not important for me to score. It's the three points the matter."

Jonathan Woodgate, who was equally important alongside King at the heart of the Spurs defence, called it "a must-win game.

"It puts us on level points with West Ham (above them on goal difference), so it was vital for us," Woodgate said. "I thought we dominated throughout and maybe the best we played all season. The whole team were magnificent." (dpa)