Now only the 'Gang of Four' and their threat to sue the Premier League for not docking them points for illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano earlier in the season looks the major threat to West Ham's top-flight status after six wins in the last eight matches.

Boss Alan Curbishley, who saw them win only one of their first 11 after he arrived to replace Alan Pardew, must have thought, like the home fans, they were going to rack up a snooker score against hapless Bolton with an electric display in the first half.

But after Tevez curled in a sublime free-kick for an early opener then added a simple second before laying on a third for Mark Noble, the Hammers went to sleep in the second period and did not awaken until the last few minutes when substitute Marlon Harewood twice failed by inches to add to their lead.

By then, Gary Speed had pulled one back for Bolton on 67 minutes after keeper Rob Green superbly saved from Nicolas Anelka. And it was some consolation for new manager Sammy Lee in what had looked a baptism of fire just a few days after Sam Allardyce's shock walk-out.

But unless they radically improve against Aston Villa next Sunday, their dream of re-qualifying for the UEFA Cup will be over.

Curbishley's team were clearly in the mood when referee Mike Riley had to call West Ham's players from a pre-match huddle for the kick-off, such was their determination to escape the drop in their last home appearance of the season.

Bolton, trying to prove there is still life after Allardyce following his resignation with just two games to go, played with top-scorer Anelka alone up front but with dangerous Kevin Davies at the front of a midfield diamond.

But out of nowhere it was hero Tevez who delighted the home crowd by giving the Hammers an 11th minute lead with a superb free-kick. He was brought down six yards outside the area by Abdoulaye Meite and stepped up to curl a beautiful effort over the wall and wide of helpless keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Tevez ran joyfully to the sidelines to celebrate his fifth goal of the season but was soon back in action, lining up the Hammers wall to face an Anelka free-kick.

He must have got it just right as the Frenchman's attempt from 25 yards failed to breach the obstruction.

And it got even better for West Ham and Tevez when he slotted home a second goal after 22 minutes. Midfielder Mark Noble was the instigator when dispossessing Anelka inside his own half and sending Luis Boa Morte scampering down the left to lay on a simple sidefooted effort for the South American.

Tevez might have had a hat-trick soon afterwards when his powerful shot was beaten out by Jaaskelainen but instead he laid on the third for Mark Noble in the 29th minute - with assistance from Bolton.

Ivan Campo's control was a shambles as he tried to trap a hacked clearance by Anton Ferdinand in his own half and although Speed should have tidied up, the home side grabbed possession again and Tevez looked up from the left to see Noble totally unmarked at the far side to volley sweetly home.

Skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, Yossi Benayoun and Noble dominated the midfield as Bolton gormlessly declined to refine their one-up, long ball approach.

Anelka looked an isolated figure at the front as both Davies and Nolan were too embroiled in helping stem the West Ham avalanche to support him.

New Bolton boss Lee must have given an Allardyce-style grilling to his side at half time because they made a fair fist of trying to turn things around in the second period.

Goalkeeper Green made a fine save turning Anelka's long-range blast round a post but as Bolton stepped up their barrage and the game became broken up by a series of spiteful tackles, it was no surprise to see the visitors cut West Ham's lead with 23 minutes to go.

Bobby Zamora, a willing workhorse for the first hour, was taken off soon after reacting to a challenge and being shown a yellow card. And within three minutes of Harewood's arrival as substitute, veteran Speed struck for Bolton.

Noble lost the ball to Davies who found Anelka and the Frenchman's touch was ideally into Speed's stride for a scoring shot.

For a while Bolton's big boot threatened a way back but Hammers saw off the threat and Harewood was twice close to adding to the score late on.

A delighted Curbishley said: "It is in our hands for the first time.

"I was just happy we got the result today but anything can still happen. Tevez was doubtful to play, he had an ankle problem.

"But he was great, so was the football in the first half and so were the goals.

"I'm not into the ifs and buts at the moment but let's hope there is nothing too much on it next Sunday at Old Trafford. My record there is as bad as anyone's.

"But Tevez is an inspiration to us at the moment. And I'm sure he's not bothered too much by all the off-the-field stuff.

"It helps when he can't speak the language and can't read the newspapers. He says he is just a footballer and wants to get on with that. And that suits us."

West Ham now look favourites to survive despite winning only one game in the first 11 - ironically against United - when Curbishley took over from Alan Pardew in December.

Pardew's Charlton face Spurs on Monday and finish at Liverpool, whose weakened team's defeat at Craven Cottage left Fulham practically safe on 39 points.

West Ham's biggest worry is a pending possible legal threat by four clubs - Charlton, Fulham, Sheffield United and Wigan - against the Premier League for not docking the East London club points for illegally signing Tevez and Javier Mascherano last August.

But Tevez, who opened the scoring against Bolton with a superb 11th-minute free-kick before adding his sixth goal of the season 11 minutes later, said he would consider staying at West Ham next season.

He revealed: "I will be happy to have negotiations with the club but right now my focus is on doing well against Manchester United next week.

"They could be champions by then and are a strong team at home especially."

Curbishley added: "The crowd have been shouting for Tevez ever since I came here. I didn't pick him in the first few games but he's got into the team and shown his real quality.

"In recent weeks we've asked him to play further forward in the last third of the field and put pressure on people. It has made all the difference.

"We've also been able to field a settled side in the last few weeks and that has helped a lot as well."

New Bolton manager Sammy Lee saw his UEFA Cup hopes dented despite a second-half reply by Gary Speed and defeats for rivals Portsmouth and Reading, but praised his players.

"It was very disappointing we didn't stick to our game plan in the first half but the boys deserved credit for the way they applied themselves afterwards," Lee said after his first game since succeeding Sam Allardyce.

"We had to push four men up and take some chances at the back but we finally looked more like the old Bolton.

"The big plus to come out for us is that other sides around us in the table lost. The UEFA Cup means a great deal to us. We all enjoyed it two years ago and want to be back in it.

"This certainly wasn't the start I was looking for. We lacked the basics but once we got them right and threw a bit of caution to the wind we looked a different side.

"The events of the last week have been difficult for the lads but they applied themselves much better in the second half.

"There is no doubt about this being a big change for me. I've learned a lot about myself in the last week, especially in the first half today, but I enjoyed even that challenge of trying to get it right.

"And I'm thrilled to have this position and I'm going to do the best job I can."