West Ham breathed fresh impetus into their bid for Europa League qualification with a comfortable victory at West Brom as captain Mark Noble bagged a fine brace.
First half goals from Cheikhou Kouyate and midfielder Noble put Slaven Bilic's side in the driving seat after weathering a bright Albion start.
Kouyate headed in Dimitri Payet's cross in the 34th minute to open the scoring.
Then Noble poked the ball in from Kouyate's rapid break and cross in first half stoppage time.
Albion gave a debut to 17-year-old Jonathan Leko but were booed off by fans at the break.
The Hammers made it 3-0 late on when Noble volleyed in Andy Carroll's cross for a fine goal in front of the delighted away fans who sang: “Noble for England”.
Here are five things we learned:
1. Jonathan Leko has a bright future
The England U17 striker made his full debut and looked lively from the off. Albion fans were soon singing: “Jonathan Leko he is one of our own.” On this evidence, the enigmatic Saido Berahino , who started on the bench, will soon be surplus to requirements and not worth the hassle compared to Leko, aged 17 and six days.
2. Antonio continues to impress in defence
The winger has been used at right-back since thriving at Blackburn in the FA Cup as an emergency defender in early February. He made two vital goalline clearances early on here as Albion started strongly.
3. Slaven Bilic is more sporting these days
Who can forget Slaven Bilic's play-acting for Croatia at the 1998 World Cup when he shamelessly got Laurent Blanc sent off. These days he kindly urged his side to put the ball out of play when breaking at 1-0 with youngster Leko down injured.
4. Carroll looking sharp
The striker didn't manage to add to his recent six goals in his last six games but the fit-again targetman was a constant threat for Albion's defence as he occupied them and teed up Noble to make it 3-0.
5. Payet's hot form continues
Payet's assist for the visitors' opener means he has now contributed directly to 19 of the Hammers' 59 Premier League goals with nine goals and 10 assists.
Player ratings
West Brom
- Foster 6 - Hammers' clinical finishing gave him little chance
- Dawson 6 - Caught out of position for the visitors' second
- McAuley 6 - Not a good day for the Albion defence
- Olsson 6 - Andy Carroll won their personal duel
- Evans 6 - Former Manchester United ace wasted at left-back
- Leko 7 - The talented teenager showed real promise
- Fletcher 6 - Albion overrun in midfield by the Hammers
- Yacob 6 - Subbed as Albion chased the game after the break
- McClean 6 - Also hauled off early in the second half
- Gardner 6 - Unlucky not to score early on with several decent efforts
- Rondon 5 - Poor game isolated upfront on his own
- Subs : Berahino 6 (McClean 61), Sandro 6 (Yacob 62), Sessegnon 6 (Gardner 78)
West Ham
- Adrian 7 - Kept a clean sheet and punched well at set pieces
- Antonio 7 - The winger continues to impress as an attacking right-back
- Reid 8 - Commanding performance at the back from the New Zealander
- Ogbonna 7 - Solid display in defence by the stopper
- Cresswell 7 - Good shift at left-back from the defender
- Payet 7 - The Hammers' dangerman delivered inch-perfect cross for the opener
- Kouyate 8 - Scored one and made one in the first half
- Noble 9 (MOTM) - An impressive brace to leave fans urging England call up
- Lanzini 7 - Efficient display in the Hammers' engine room
- Sakho 7 - Carried a threat on the break with his pace
- Carroll 8 - Led line well and crossed for Noble to make it 3-0
- Subs : Emenike 6 (Sakho 61), Moses 6 (Payet 81), Oxford 6 (Lanzini 87)