Crysencio Summerville scored in his fifth straight game as West Ham made easy work of Burnley in a 2-0 win at Turf Moor to move three points off 17th-place Nottingham Forest.
Another defeat for Burnley, who were booed off at full-time, ensures a 16th straight league game without victory for Scott Parker's side, who spurned an opportunity to spark their own battle for safety.
West Ham looked set to take full advantage of Forest's defeat at Leeds on Friday night when Summerville dinked over Martin Dubravka early in the first half.
With Burnley offering little to no response in the first period, West Ham scored an impressive second when Valentin Castellanos glanced home a superb Malick Diouf cross to double their lead.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side weathered an early second-half storm from Burnley, with Mads Hermansen, in for Alphonse Areola, making five stops to keep West Ham in control.
The Hammers are now well placed to apply the pressure on Forest with their third win in four, ahead of a tough run that includes the visit of both Manchester clubs to the London Stadium and a trip to Liverpool in their next six.
Burnley, meanwhile, are now eight points off West Ham and staring down the barrel of an inevitable return to the Championship.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo says West Ham will be fine if they perform as they did at Burnley for the remainder of the season:
"That was really important. Was a good performance, a good result, support of our fans that travel so far and then making them enjoy is the best that we can have.
"We were so accurate in our offensive box. In the offensive box, it makes a big difference. I think if we are solid in defence, the talent that we have up front.
"We can, we can do nice things. It was important to react to what happened against Chelsea and the reaction of the boys was massive.
"They showed character, showed desire and commitment. We are still in the same situation. We have to focus on ourselves and play and play and play. As long as we play the way we did today, we're gonna be okay."
Burnley boss Scott Parker was critical of the Turf Moor atmosphere following the defeat:
"We looked edgy, and goals contribute to that. I thought the general atmosphere, as well, probably contributed to that a little bit.
"We gave ourselves a real big mountain to climb at 2-0. I thought the second half, at times, we showed a real endeavour. Didn't manage to put one in the net. We probably could have cranked on a little bit more, but disappointing day overall.
"There's no denying today that the stadium was edgy, and we sensed that. I think after the first goal went in, it was, there was clear frustration and there were clear chants towards the players and me personally.
"It's a difficult moment. We have to deal with the things that we can control, really. And today was difficult. Of course, it was certainly in the environment we were in, and certainly the team that worked, where we are currently under absolute, huge, huge pressure. But yeah, it's not helpful.
"Of course, it isn't. I have a slight understanding of it, but do not fully understand it. You asked me the question, how do we change it? The only way we can change it is by winning. And sometimes there's, there's a big challenge in front of you that sometimes that proves a little bit more difficult, and at this present moment time that's proving the case."
