Don Hutchison marked his return to the West Ham side with the opening goal as Alan Pardew's side hammered Watford at Upton Park.
With the Hammers desperate to keep hold of their Division One play-off place, the 32-year-old was recalled to the side for his first start since early January following a knee injury.
Christian Dailly and Marlon Harewood, who hit two goals, were also on the scoresheet as the Hammers picked up a third straight win as they eye a return to the Premiership via Cardiff.
Ray Lewington's Watford have little to play for, and it was no surprise when they started the match on the back foot - Steve Lomas firing a long-range shot just wide of Alec Chamberlain's post.
Harewood also hit a free-kick into the wall, but the home side did not have to wait long for their impressive start to reap a dividend.
Hutchison had stated in the build-up he was determined to start earning his wages and make more of a contribution - and he took a big first step towards doing that on 17 minutes.
His surge towards the Watford box forced a foul from Gavin Mahon, and Hutchison picked himself up and drove the ball into the bottom corner through a crowded box to give his side the lead - his first goal since October and just
his third this season.
But the goal stung the Hornets into action.
Hammers goalkeeper Stephen Bywater had to produce fine saves from Bruce Dyer's powerful strike and a Lee Cook free-kick as Watford began to get a foothold in the game.
Then it was the home side's turn to attack once again, Chamberlain tipping Dailly's header away following a corner and Bobby Zamora squandering a chance from close range.
But Dailly doubled West Ham's advantage a minute before the break, crashing a header off the post and into the back of the net from Matthew Etherington's corner, giving his side a comfortable half-time cushion.
Pardew had obviously urged his charges to continue where they left off as the attacks continued in the second period.
Breaking forward, Etherington's long-range effort saw another impressive stop by Chamberlain, who also saved from a Harewood header from the resulting corner and was equal to another Lomas drive from distance.
After 63 minutes, Pardew's rampant side added a third.
Former Forest man Harewood had missed several chances but took the spot-kick responsibilities when Zamora was hauled down in the area by Paul Mayo.
Chamberlain made a terrific save to deny the Hammers striker, but the referee ruled that it had to be re-taken. Harewood dispatched the spot-kick at the second attempt to make it three.
The Hornets goalkeeper continued admirably to keep the score down, pulling off a fine saves from shots by Michael Carrick and Zamora.
But he has beaten once again, deep in injury-time, as Harewood finished from close range after a cross from substitute Joel McAnuff.
Teams
West Ham Bywater, Ferdinand, Melville, Dailly, Mullins,
Hutchison, Carrick, Lomas, Etherington (Cohen 64),
Zamora (McAnuff 75), Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Srnicek, Quinn, Reo-Coker.
Goals: Hutchison 17, Dailly 44, Harewood 63 pen, 90.
Watford Chamberlain, Mayo, Cox, Baird, Cook (Vernazza 84),
Devlin, Hyde (Fitzgerald 90), Blizzard, Mahon, Dyer,
Bouazza (Helguson 53).
Subs Not Used: Pidgeley, Doyley.
Booked: Mayo.
Att: 34,685
Ref: M Jones (Cheshire).
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