On a memorable night at Highbury, goals from Nigel Reo-Coker, Bobby Zamora and Matthew Etherington earned Hammers a famous 3-2 win over Arsenal.
In what was our final visit to the Gunners stadium ahead of their move to Ashburton Grove next season, Alan Pardew's men made it five wins in a row - three in the Premiership - and lifted us up to 35 points with 14 league matches still to play.
The Hammers boss had made two changes to the side that started Saturday's FA Cup win against Blackburn Rovers. With Christian Dailly suspended, the right-back role became available, and Pards opted to give Irish defender Clive Clarke his Premiership debut. Up front, Marlon Harewood returned in place of Teddy Sheringham, who took his place on the bench alongside Club record signing Dean Ashton.
Not surprisingly, it was the hosts who made the livelier start, and Henry saw a golden chance go begging after just six minutes, when his goalbound volley from 12 yards out struck his team-mate Ljungberg and trickled wide for a goal-kick.
A minute later, Robin Van Persie wriggled his way past Gabbidon inside the penalty area and fired in an effort that cannoned off the post and out for a goal kick. It appeared that Hammers could be in for a long night.
However, having weathered the early storm, the visitors began to adjust to the frantic pace and, against the run of play, took the lead with their first real attack of the game. Etherington found Reo-Coker, whose first touch deceived Campbell, and the skipper surged through before planting a low shot under Lehmann for his second goal of the season.
Just seven minutes later, the travelling Hammers fans were in dreamland, as the lead was doubled in stylish fashion. Konchesky's long pass released Zamora, who cut inside Campbell and curled a beautiful effort into the corner of the North Bank net.
When Yossi Benayoun cleared a Djourou effort off the line just three minutes before the break, it seemed as though Hammers would go in at the interval protecting their two-goal advantage.
However, in the final minute of the half, Arsenal got back into the game with a goal from Henry. After Ljungberg's shout for a penalty had been turned down, the ball ran lose to Robert Pires, whose low shot was diverted into the net by Henry.
Arsenal were forced to bring off the injured Campbell at half-time, but Hammers refused to change their attacking style, despite the expected second-half onslaught from the hosts.
And with Anton Ferdinand and Danny Gabbidon again standing firm in the centre of defence, and Hayden Mullins and Nigel Reo-Coker supreme in front of them, the visitors dealt comfortably with everything thrown at them early in the second-half.
The Gunners went close on 65 minutes when Henry turned Clarke on the left and cut into the penalty area, but the usually lethal Frenchman curled his shot wide of Hislop's far post.
Pards then made three substitutes in the space of eight minutes, bringing on Shaun Newton for Benayoun, Carl Fletcher for Clarke, and debutant Dean Ashton in place of goalscorer Zamora.
Ashton was given 17 minutes to make an impact and, with just 10 minutes remaining, he played a part in proceedings as Hammers grabbed the all-important third goal. After the England under-21 striker had challenged Senderos, Reo-Coker picked up the loose ball and raced into the penalty area.
His low cross eluded everyone but Etherington, who arrived at the far post to fire in a low effort that clipped Lehmann on its way into the net, signalling his second goal in the space of four days.
With Dennis Bergkamp thrown on in place of a midfielder, Arsenal still possessed the firepower to produce a comeback, but Hammers held out until the 89th minute before conceding a second.
Bergkamp's measured volley was kept out by Hislop, but Pires was on hand to sweep home the rebound and ensure a nervous few minutes of stoppage time for the 3,000 travelling supporters.
Thankfully, the troops held firm once again, and the delirious
claret and blue faithful were able to celebrate their final visit
to Highbury with our first win at the grand old stadium in almost
11 years.