Alan Curbishley has accused West Ham's relegation rivals of losing their focus amid the inquiry into the Carlos Tevez-Javier Mascherano registration row.

In an ironic and bitter twist as far as Sheffield United were concerned, Tevez scored the goal which kept the Hammers up at Old Trafford as the Londoners beat champions Manchester United 1-0.

With Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insisting the fight goes on to have West Ham docked points in addition to the hefty £5.5m fine imposed over the illegal deal which saw Tevez and Mascherano arrive at Upton Park in August, it may be some time before Curbishley knows for certain he can plan for another top-flight campaign.

However, he is confident the inquiry verdict will not be overturned and feels the likes of Wigan and Sheffield United have spent too much time talking about it. "It is out of my hands but I do not think the decision will be overturned,'' he said.

''It is something that happened before I got to the club but the Premier League have had their inquiry and given their verdict. All we could do was concentrate on playing football but maybe other people have concentrated on the verdict a bit too much.''

Curbishley was acutely aware the widespread anger at the relatively lenient punishment West Ham received meant most neutral observers would have been happy if his club had gone down.

However, after an epic run of seven wins from the final nine games, he was able to salute his players anyway.

''We have been public enemy number one,'' he said.

''It has dragged on a lot and we have received another barrage of criticism this week.

''It seems ever since I have been at the club there has been negative publicity.

''We have contributed to some of that with our form and a few other things that have made their way into the papers but it seems the signings of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were the start of the bandwagon.

''A couple of weeks ago I wondered if we might get some positive press but I am sure that will not be the case.

''Yet to get seven wins out of nine games is an unbelievable achievement. Every time Manchester United had a shot we managed to get a block on it or a body in the way.''

West Ham chairman Eggert Magnusson has expressed his sympathy to relegated Sheffield United but attempted to head off the threat of legal action to the Londoners' top-flight status.

A gang of four, comprising Wigan, Fulham, Sheffield United and Charlton, have already vowed to continue the fight for justice all the way to the House of Lords if necessary.