The mathematics may be against them beating the drop but Tevez is at least trying his level best to give the Hammers a chance, this win only the second time they have recorded back-to-back victories this season.

He crossed for Bobby Zamora to open the scoring at Upton Park before doubling the lead on the stroke of half-time, but it is also his tireless work on the flanks that has endeared him to Hammers fans.

It was all too much for Emanuel Pogatetz, who was cautioned for hacking down Tevez after getting embarrassed with a nutmeg, and the Boro defender was substituted soon after.

Tevez was given a rest himself with nine minutes to go and received a standing ovation.

In contrast, Boro were toothless in attack and their season is in danger of fizzling out as they creep over the 40-point mark.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley was among the managers disappointed with Gareth Southgate for fielding a weakened team against struggling Manchester City in Boro’s last Premiership game.

Two weeks had passed since, with Boro losing their FA Cup quarter-final clash that they were saving players for, and Southgate selected his strongest available XI this time around.

Curbishley has never had the luxury of resting players in his short tenure as Hammers boss, the urgency for points meaning he made only one change from the team that defeated Blackburn last time out.

Zamora was brought in for Marlon Harewood, who was not in the matchday squad, and the decision was vindicated with less than two minutes gone.

Mark Noble caught Fabio Rochemback dwelling in possession, with the ball falling to Tevez on the right flank. The Argentina forward’s cross ricocheted off Pogatetz and Andrew Taylor before Zamora finished from close range.

It was his ninth of the season and set the tone for the Hammers, who were full of energy and galvanised by Noble’s efforts in the centre of midfield.

Tevez was just as impressive with his work-rate and he was in the thick of the action, crossing for Matthew Etherington in the fifth minute before going on a mazy run which only ended when Abel Xavier nipped in as he was about to shoot.

He then drifted a ball to the far post where Zamora’s shot was saved at point-blank range by Mark Schwarzer.

Such a bright opening was inevitably difficult to sustain and Boro had a few half-chances, Ayegbeni Yakubu giving them a warning with a shot George McCartney had to block for a corner.

Mark Viduka also had a scissor-kick which dropped wide, while skipper George Boateng had an effort from 25 yards just after the half-hour mark which goalkeeper Robert Green held easily.

Stewart Downing, who was jeered by fans for his part in England’s lacklustre displays in the international break, earned a free-kick on the edge of the area but Viduka’s woeful set-piece almost reached the second tier of Upton Park.

Despite Boro’s attempts, they never looked like they had the cutting edge of West Ham and it was the hosts who looked dangerous.

Etherington forced Schwarzer into a save with a shot from long distance late in the first half, and the Australia goalkeeper also held onto an effort from Tevez.

Tevez, though, doubled the lead in the 45th minute, McCartney’s deep cross hitting Taylor’s knee and the West Ham forward finished from close range for his third in three matches after taking more than six months to open his account in England.

He may not have stripped to the waist and jumped into the crowd as he did when he scored against Tottenham, but the way he wheeled away in celebration was another example of why Hammers fans have taken him into their hearts.

The start of the second half lacked the pace and intensity of the first, with Boro still struggling to break down a West Ham defence led by Anton Ferdinand.

Whereas confidence was so brittle just two games ago, Ferdinand was now among the players who were first to the ball consistently.

Tevez thought he should have had a penalty when his cross appeared to strike Taylor, while Noble’s determination almost came at a price as he threw himself at a Boateng shot and took the ball in the face.

The midfielder was able to carry on and the Hammers went in search of their third, with only Schwarzer denying them.