With Bolton beating this weekend's opponents Sunderland 2-0 last weekend, they incresed their points tally and goal difference over the Hammers by a brace.
But Rufus prefers to look inwards and insists that knowledge of what went on across the Pennines on Saturday did not curb his satisfaction at a job well done against Everton.
"I was delighted on Saturday; Everton is always a difficult place to come to and to keep a clean sheet was pleasing," he enthuses.
"I thought we played very well in the first half, and in the first 15 - 20 minutes of the second half I thought we started very well, too.
"But they were at home and they are always going to have a spell of pressure, which they did do, and I thought we defended very well.
"The manager at Everton has done a fantastic job and I don't think many people gave us a chance to even get a point - but we have got great belief in ourselves now, and it was deserved."
As for the Trotters winning at the Stadium Of Light, Rufus says:
"That doesn't really matter; we have still got Bolton to play; all that we are bothered about is what we are doing on the pitch, and if we keep winning hopefully everything will fall into place.
"What they do is out of our hands and we can't control it; all we control is what we do, and what we last did was go to Everton and get a good point."
This week has seen the return of Paolo Di Canio, of course, but he insists that the media attention that has attracted has not alterted his focus.
"Paolo is Paolo, we know what he is like, so it doesn't really affect any of us," he smiles.
All he is thinking about at Chadwell Heath this week, is keeping the competition for his place at bay - and preparing to try and keep another clean sheet against Sunderland.
"Nigel and Scott Minto play left back as well but you need competition in a football club.
"We have been working very hard since I joined on the defensive side, because I think with the players we have got we are always going to nick a goal or two.
"So it is good that the hard work we have been putting in on the training ground is beginning to pay off."
And he is enjoying beingcaptained by someone around a decade younger than him, too.
"Joe Cole has the lot, and he is very good as captain - all the lads respect him."