Zola enjoying Hammers' run

In-form striker Carlton Cole struck again to take his tally to six in seven games after Italian David Di Michele had put the home side ahead as the Irons consolidated their position in eighth place with the hard work put in by Zola and his team now paying off.

Zola said: "The team is strong mentally, technically and physically and it is good as we are building something important here and you can smell the atmosphere here, I am very pleased to be involved in this."

He added: "We want to build an atmosphere with fair competition between each other with everybody looking forward to getting into this team.

"They are enjoying themselves, and that is what we want here.

"Every time they play, it is always the best game, which is the biggest complement you can give to a team."

While West Ham look to build on their momentum, for Tigers boss Phil Brown - who gave new £5million midfielder Jimmy Bullard a debut in the second half - his hard work goes on to ensure the efforts of a fine opening to the campaign do not end in disaster.

Hull have now lost six straight Premier League matches, and are in danger of being sucked down the table.

Brown said: "West Ham were playing with a lot of confidence and their two strikers played a massive part in the downfall of our side.

"We are still in the top half of the table, although we are in relegation form and we need to address that as soon as possible," he said, "but I have seen sufficient, when Jimmy came on, to suggest we can get out of this."