McBride opened the scoring for Fulham

West Ham dominated the first half, but the best chance fell to Luis Boa Morte, who mistimed a header from six yards.

The second half saw more of the same with Sean Davis' flying header drawing a great save from Stephen Bywater.

Brian McBride broke the deadlock with an unstoppable shot before Barry Hayles added a tap-in, and Boa Morte's close-range effort sealed the win.

Fulham striker Hayles was left out of the starting line-up, and Zat Knight also had to be content with a place on the bench because of a foot injury.

West Ham brought in Brian Deane, Kevin Horlock, Wayne Quinn and Anton Ferdinand. Jon Harley, currently on loan from the Cottagers, was ineligible.

Edwin van der Sar was the hero when the sides met at Loftus Road and he had to be alert early on with Horlock testing his handling from distance.

Marlon Harewood was the next to go close, hitting the foot of the upright after leaving the Dutchman stranded out of position.

But the Fulham goalkeeper then pulled off a fantastic save to tip Harewood's vicious shot over the crossbar in the 20th minute.

Boa Morte was then guilty of a glaring miss when he put a free header wide from Bobby Petta's cross with a glancing touch in the 42nd minute.

Malbranque caused the Hammers problems

Suddenly the match was flowing from end to end with Bywater sprinting out to clear at the feet of Boa Morte before a stretching Harewood missed the target with a toe poke as the half drew to a close.

After the break, Sean Davis shot marginally wide before Bywater was forced to save from McBride when Ferdinand had dallied too long.

But the warning signs were there, and Fulham were soon ahead.

Bocanegra's deft chip sailed over the head of Hayden Mullins and McBride controlled with his chest before firing over Bywater into the top corner.

Van der Sar denied Harewood yet again with his legs shortly afterwards, but substitute Hayles made it two with a close-range tap-in 11 minutes from the end.

Boa Morte made sure in the last minute despite Ferdinand's attempt to clear off the line.

West Ham: Bywater, Ferdinand, Dailly (Mellor 83), Quinn, Harewood, Horlock (Lee 79), Mullins, Carrick, Etherington, Connolly, Deane (Lomas 73).
Subs Not Used: Forde, Carole.

Booked: Horlock.

Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Legwinski, Goma, Bocanegra, Sean Davis (Pembridge 90), Malbranque, Boa Morte, Djetou (Knight 48), Petta (Hayles 73), McBride.
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Inamoto.

Attendance: 27,934.

Referee: M Riley (W Yorkshire).