Sam Allardyce could not hide his satisfaction at Nottingham Forest after West Ham United recorded a third straight away league win - as many as they won in the whole of the previous two seasons.
The rampant Hammers raced into a three-goal lead after 32 minutes, courtesy of a Luke Chambers own goal, Kevin Nolan and Carlton Cole's third in as many starts. Forest pulled one back early in the second half through Robbie Findley before Winston Reid wrapped up a fine 4-1 win as the match entered ithe closing stages.
The victory, in front of 2,696 travelling fans at the City Ground, moves Allardyce's men up to fifth in the npower Championship - just three points from top spot. The players will have a well-earned break with the forthcoming internationals, although Allardyce knows the importance of a home win next time out against Portsmouth on 10 September.
Allardyce, who took the decision to leave Scott Parker in London amid uncertainty over his future, said: "It is an outstanding victory. It is one I didn't really expect today so I am absolutely delighted with the players for calming the nerves you feel on a matchday as a manager and certainly they calmed them in the first half with the three outstanding goals they scored.
"We really got our homework done right today. The players responded to our tactics and how we set out to play against Nottingham Forest on the basis of our scouting giving us the opportunity to play from the back, get the ball and then go and press them and put them under pressure. It was from there that we started creating the chances and the opportunities to score the goals.
"The game plan worked magnificently well in the first half. Three quality goals with great delivery. The balls into the box and the final finishing were outstanding and would have caused any teams problems. We took advantage and put them in the back of the net."