ANDY CARROLL inspired West Ham to an emphatic victory over Martin Jol's Fulham.
The on-loan Liverpool hitman helped set up the opening goal within 53 seconds as his former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan hammered home.
And the hosts were out of sight by the break as Winston Reid powered home a header from a corner and Matt Taylor fired in a third.
The only downer on an otherwise perfect day for Sam Allardyce's men was when Carroll limped off in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Goalscorer Nolan said: "Andy is a great lad — we get on really well off the pitch.
“When we knew he was coming down on Thursday I was excited and really chuffed.
"We’ve been so lucky to get him and we’re delighted for him because he deserves to be played every week.
“We all knows his capabilities. It’s disappointing what went on at Liverpool I think but he’s showed he’s a top player in this league and hopefully he can get some goals for us."
BUBBLE TROUBLE ... Andy Carroll walks out on to the pitch at West Ham
The giant Geordie looks to be a perfect fit for the Hammers and he was involved straight away.
A long, clearing header from James Collins was flicked on by the debutant into the path of Ricardo Vaz Te who played the ball in to Nolan, and the skipper finished firmly past Mark Schwarzer.
Fulham’s own debutant Kieran Richardson had the visitors’ first real chance when he fired in a low effort from distance that was palmed away by West Ham stopper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
With less than 10 minutes on the clock Carroll was again involved when he headed Vaz Te’s cross into the on-rushing Mohamed Diame, who saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Schwarzer.
The Australian was keeping his side in the game in the opening exchanges and was called upon once more to tip Vaz Te’s low shot around the post.
Nolan came close to adding a second in the 16th minute as the same combination of players who created the first goal ran riot once more.
OPENER ... Kevin Nolan hammers home
Carroll, who had won every header, picked out Vaz Te who found Nolan on the edge of the Fulham penalty area.
This time the Hammers captain attempted a lobbed effort that landed on the top of Schwarzer’s net with the home side fully in control.
Fulham started to enjoy a little bit more possession as the first half progressed but were soon further behind.
Taylor’s corner found Reid on the edge of the six-yard area and he beat Mahamadou Diarra to the ball to power a header into the net and double the home side’s lead.
Vaz Te, who was full of running and always wanted the ball, was proving a constant thorn in the side of the Fulham defence and Nolan should have done better when the Portuguese picked him out inside the box.
WIN-CREDIBLE ... Winston Reid celebrates after heading in West Ham's second goal
It was not long afterwards that the third goal was scored by the Hammers as Collins’ free-kick was headed clear by Fulham’s Brede Hangeland.
The loose ball broke free to the feet of Taylor who finished well from the edge of the penalty area.
Fulham manager Jol reacted to the disastrous first half by introducing new signing Dimitar Berbatov at the interval with Mladen Petric making way.
Carroll started the second half as he did the first, winning a header that found Vaz Te, who could not direct his shot towards goal.
Taylor almost scored his second of the game five minutes after the re-start as a short free-kick was worked to him by Nolan.
MATT FINISH ... West Ham's Matt Taylor celebrates scoring his side's third
His effort was straight at Schwarzer but the experienced goalkeeper could not hold it and the ball was eventually cleared for a corner.
Fulham again had a spell of sustained possession but still lacked a cutting edge even with Berbatov now involved.
Carroll was replaced by Carlton Cole with just under 25 minutes remaining after seeming to injure his hamstring after a heavy landing.
The visitors continued to press and Steve Sidwell finally forced a smart save out of Jaaskelainen following a Damien Duff corner.
Jol’s side continued to show signs of improvement as Berbatov linked well with Hugo Rodallega, with the latter again testing Jaaskelainen.
FUL OF IT ... deadline day signing Dimitar Berbatov makes his debut for Fulham
Hall had the chance to put West Ham four goals ahead after Vaz Te ran the length of the field after collecting the ball from a poor Fulham corner.
He jinked his way into the box and rolled the ball to Hall but his shot was well blocked.
The three points had long-since been secured by the Hammers who sat back for the closing stages with Fulham chasing a consolation goal.
Berbatov certainly gave Fulham a cutting edge during the closing stages and almost created goals for Duff and Rodallega, with Jaaskelainen keeping both efforts out.
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Hall 78), Reid, Collins (Tomkins 67), O’Brien, Diame, Noble, Nolan, Taylor, Vaz Te, Carroll (Cole 68). Subs Not Used: Henderson,Maiga,Diarra,O’Neil.
Goals: Nolan 1, Reid 29, Taylor 41.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Riether, Hughes, Hangeland, Riise, Duff, Sidwell, Diarra, Richardson (Kacaniklic 59), Rodallega, Petric (Berbatov 46). Subs Not Used: Stockdale, Kelly, Baird, Kasami, Briggs.
Att: 33,458
Ref: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).
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