West Ham now have five home league wins for the season
Viviane Asseyi struck on her West Ham return to help inflict a fifth straight Women's Super League defeat on London rivals Tottenham.
Full-back Verena Hanshaw gave the hosts a 15th-minute lead, tricking her way down the left wing before her attempted shot took a wicked deflection off the standing leg of Josefine Rybrink to divert it into the back of the net.
Asseyi's free-kick from out wide put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time - as the France international's cross travelled through the box without a touch before landing in the far bottom corner.
Despite dominating possession and chances throughout the game Tottenham's lack of quality in the final third proved their undoing once again.
Eveliina Summanen's long range free-kick bounced out off the crossbar seconds before the interval and Martha Thomas' skewed shot also found the woodwork in the second half.
Victory secured West Ham a fifth home league win of the season, a new club record.
The three points also helped them to leapfrog Spurs into eighth place in the table.
Having slipped down to ninth, Robert Vilahamn's side now face crucial games against Aston Villa and Leicester City as they bid to avoid their worst-ever top-flight finish.
Hammers hitting their groove
West Ham are well clear of the Women's Super League relegation zone
West Ham's rocky start to the season feels an awfully long time ago now. Rehanne Skinner's side have hit their groove.
They were unlucky to lose 4-3 in a thriller at Arsenal at the start of the month and followed it up with an impressive 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in their next game.
So it was no surprise to see them continue their impressive form against a troubled Tottenham on Sunday.
The first goal more than a tad fortunate, with a deflection ultimately taking Hanshaw's cross-shot past Spurs keeper Lize Kop.
However, the Hammers carried a real attacking threat throughout the game and were well worth their eventual 2-0 victory.
On her return from suspension, Asseyi added the all-important second goal to ensure that the hosts claimed the derby day spoils and piled more misery on their capital neighbours.
Having been many people's pick as relegation candidates at the start of the season, West Ham are now looking up, sitting nine points clear of rock-bottom Crystal Palace.
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