Two goals apiece from Konstantinos Mavropanos and Taty Castellanos secured the three precious points that enabled a full-strength Hammers side to clamber out of the bottom three and send the Claret and Blue army home believing that maybe, just maybe, another epic escape is still on.
Following Easter Sunday’s forlorn FA Cup quarter-final, penalty shoot-out defeat to Leeds United, Nuno Espírito Santo welcomed back Mavropanos, Crysencio Summerville, Tomàš Souček, Pablo and Mads Hermansen for this crucial clash against the team he had managed for four years.
“This was the first time when we had all of the squad available,” contended the Hammers head coach after another of his former clubs - Tottenham Hotspur – slid into the dreaded drop-zone.
"That makes everything so much easier and it gives us options and solutions for the team.”
But during a tight opening 43 minutes that would have proved to be a poor advertisement for next season’s EFL Championship, West Ham struggled for answers in terms of breaking the deadlock.
Then, Jarrod Bowen’s half-cleared corner was recycled by Mateus Fernandes who invited his skipper to curl over another right-wing cross, which enabled Mavropanos to give the thankful Hammers an interval lead with a powerful 10-yard header.
“The first half had been tough,” conceded Nuno. “We were losing possession, we weren’t closing players down and were lucky to score when we did.
"After that everything changed. In the second half, we were really, really good. We were compact, we were aggressive and we defended properly. We kept a clean sheet and were good offensively, too.”
Indeed – although Angel Gomes hit the post just after the break - the Hammers went on to sweep the visitors aside.
Midway through the half, Summerville won possession before finding Castellanos, who played a clever one-two with Pablo ahead of sliding home from 12 yards.
And straight from the kick-off Bowen – who had also rattled a post – robbed João Gomes before threading the ball to Castellanos whose 18-yarder found the net via the base of José Sá’s right-hand upright.
“All the players who joined in January have integrated really well,” enthused Nuno after seeing his Argentinian striker take his tally to five since his £25million arrival from Lazio.
“It’s the fine margins that change things for forward players, who can really make the difference when they have confidence. As for Pablo, a goal will come – he just needs to stay positive.”
With seven minutes remaining, Mavropanos also netted his second of the evening when he volleyed home after another Bowen corner found its way to the far post.
“All credit to Dino,” smiled Nuno after his Greek defender cemented the Hammers biggest win of the season.
“Ever since I arrived, I’ve seen his determination and things are now going well for him.
“Today, we did the job, which was so important but I hope that our best performances are still in front of us,” concluded Nuno .
"We just have to focus on ourselves, retain the energy and prepare for our game at Crystal Palace next week.”