Valon Behrami's first goal for the club gave the Hammers three valuable points to secure their first win since the end of September and leave Sunderland perilously close to the relegation zone.

Parker told Sky Sports 1: "Massive relief.

"We came here today after a bad run and put in a performance that was needed.

"I thought we were a bit more solid. We knew we were going to be under pressure so set up 4-4-2 and looked a lot more solid.

"We can really build on (that) now, we've got some tough games coming up, but we can push on with confidence.

"It's been a good week all-round really."

Sunderland boss Roy Keane pinpointed his side's lack of clinical finishing as the difference between the sides.

Djibril Cisse was guilty of a number of misses as the Black Cats squandered some great chances to equalise.

Keane told Sky Sports 1: "I don't think we deserved to lose. It's questionable if we've done enough to win but we could not provide the goal at the end.

"We got the opportunities today. At least test the keeper: we didn't really test him, and we gave a bad goal away.

"It's hard to take. I've no problem with the effort, we just need a bit more quality in the attacking third.

"Kenwyne Jones was brought down but the ref (Mike Dean) has made the decisions and you have to get on with it."

West Ham counterpart Gianfranco Zola believed his side's victory was a reward for all their recent efforts.

When asked what he had learned since becoming Hammers boss in September, Zola told Sky Sports 1: "A lot.

"Football is strange - sometimes you play well and get nothing.

"In those times you have to keep faith you are going to be rewarded and today is one of them.

"Today my smile is bigger. I am pleased for the boys because they were playing well and not getting results.

"We know that it is important to defend properly and the three points proved that.

"We are going to try and build (on) that."