The score doesn't tell the whole story here as a rampant Hammers tore Hull open so easily it could have run into double figures under the Upton Park floodlights.

As it was a first half-goal from Di Michele - who played superbly and deserved more - and a second half strike from Carlton Cole, were enough to cement West Ham's position in the top half of the table and give Hull a football lesson in the bargain.

Hull can thank their keeper, Matt Duke - making his first appearance of the season - for keeping the score down. The Hull stopper, who has previously made a recovery from cancer and who played as if he was relishing the opportunity afforded by beating the disease, made numerous saves from Di Michele and Cole and, most notably, a smart save from a Mark Noble penalty awarded when Cole was sent tumbling in the box after 22 minutes. Had the Hammers scored at that stage then Di Michele's neat far post header on 33 minutes would have doubled the score and Hull would surely have subsided completely.

Di Michele had already gone close when he curled an exquisite shot against the upright and should have done better when through with only the keeper to beat, but he shot wildly with Cole unmarked to his right. Hull were fortunate again when a superbly flowing move ended with Collinson striking the upright with a fierce shot just before half-time. Meanwhile, Cole perhaps should have done better when clean through, although Duke stood up well to block his shot and did even better by running back and palming the ball away when it looked to be creeping over the line.

As it was, Hull probably went into the dressing room feeling they got off lightly, and it was no surprise when they came out looking stronger after the break. However, after a bit of early pressure, it was West Ham who scored six minutes after the restart when Carlton Cole was on hand to tap in Di Michele's ferocious shot that had cannoned again off the post. That completely knocked the stuffing out of the Tigers and it was really only a question of if West Ham would go on to score more, although Robert Green did have to be smart to keep out a long-range effort from Jimmy Bullard who came on as a substitute after 53 minutes.

With Cole going close on two occasions and substitute Boa Morte missing a glorious opportunity, there was time for Hammers fans to welcome new signing Savio before the whistle blew to put an end to Hull's misery. There were two main questions left at the end of the evening; firstly, how did Hull manage to come away from this game with a result that, frankly, flattered them and, secondly, why did Jimmy Bullard think it worth leaving Fulham to join this bunch. Surely, even if the Tigers survive this term they will struggle next.