West Ham 2-1 Fulham

Anton Ferdinand is mobbed by his West Ham team-mates

Two crackerjack goals from Anton Ferdinand and Yossi Benayoun helped West Ham to their first home win since Bonfire Night against Fulham.

But the Hammers were left to sweat as the Cottagers rattled them in the second half.

Ferdinand's volley and Benayoun's chip, both from the edge of the box, gave West Ham a commanding half-time lead.

Heidar Helguson's long-range strike fired Fulham back into contention but they could not force a draw.

Although new £7.25m signing Dean Ashton - sitting in the crowd - would have put pressure on the West Ham strikers, their opening goal came from an unexpected source.

Ferdinand's career at Upton Park will inevitably be compared to Rio's, especially his defensive qualities, as he adjusts to his first season in the top flight.

But there are likely to be few other occasions when the two brothers are left considering who out of the two of them scored the best goal of the week.

Rio's header for Manchester United against Liverpool on Sunday may prove to have more importance in the race for Champions League qualification but Anton's would take some matching for style.

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Antti Niemi had been unable to deal with a corner and, when Marlon Harewood headed the ball on the edge of the area, a more predicable option for the central defender would have been to play it out wide for another cross.

Instead, Ferdinand steadied himself and hooked a volley into the top corner as Niemi watched it sail over his head.

Fulham were left kicking themselves after missing two good chances to build a solid base as they searched for their first away Premiership win of the season.

Even when Helguson connected with a corner, his point-blank header hit team-mate Luis Boa Morte when it seemed destined for the net.

Despite having lost their last four home games, the Hammers were full of confidence and a second goal came as no surprise.

Benayoun left Niemi stranded again with an exquisite chip from the edge of the area, having been afforded enough time by the Fulham defence to add a couple of twists and turns by way of preparation.

West Ham were cruising but Fulham got right back into it seven minutes after the restart.

Danny Gabbidon misplaced a header and Helguson ran on to the ball and fired a shot in off the post.

The Icelandic striker was unfortunate not to have gained a penalty when he appeared to be bundled over by Paul Konchesky.

However, if referee Uriah Rennie came to West Ham's rescue, they also had Roy Carroll to thank for fine saves to deny substitute Tomasz Radzinski and Boa Morte.

Bobby Zamora was unlucky not to head a third when his effort hit the post.

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West Ham boss Alan Pardew:
"Tomas (Repka) has served us very, very well and we wanted to send him off with a win.

"We played very well first half. In the second half the goal made us edgy - it was a tough night to see out."

Fulham boss Chris Coleman:
"In the second half we showed what a good team we can be. But it's a London derby and in the first half I don't think we won one tackle.

"You have to get the simple things right, but in the first half we deserved to be 2-0 down.

"It was a penalty but it's easy to say that and it is papering over the cracks. I'm bitterly disappointed."

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West Ham: Carroll, Repka, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky, Benayoun (Katan 86), Mullins, Reo-Coker, Etherington (Newton 90), Harewood, Zamora (Dailly 80).
Subs Not Used: Hislop, Sheringham.

Booked: Benayoun, Dailly.

Goals: Ferdinand 17, Benayoun 28.

Fulham: Niemi, Rosenior, Knight, Bocanegra, Bridge, Elliott, Legwinski, Malbranque (Radzinski 62), Boa Morte, Helguson, McBride (John 70).
Subs Not Used: Warner, Goma, Niclas Jensen.

Booked: Boa Morte, Rosenior.

Goals: Helguson 52.

Att: 29,812

Ref: U Rennie (S Yorkshire).