Charlton have `Redbus' on their shirts, but they were run over by a claret and blue steamroller as rampant West Ham condemned them to their heaviest defeat of the season.

All five goals had a touch of class about them, but the star of the show was French striker Frederic Kanoute, who was too much for the Charlton defence to handle, scoring twice to make it four goals in his last three games.

It was Paolo di Canio who started the rout, scoring one of those outrageous goals which have become his trademark, to give West Ham the lead after 12 minutes.

Di Canio can do no wrong at the moment, and before kick-off he received his Carling No 1 award in recognition of his sportsmanship at Everton, when he caught the ball rather than try to score because a player was injured.

The Italian missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Leicester, but returned in style and popped up to open the scoring.

The ball was bobbling around in the Charlton box and there seemed no danger as di Canio had his back to goal.

But that did not stop the Hammers striker from trying a cheeky back-flick from six yards which took a deflection off Richard Rufus and looped over bemused goalkeeper Dean Kiely and into the Charlton net.

Then Kanoute showed he is the man in form as he doubled the lead five minutes later.

He picked up a pass from Trevor Sinclair on the right flank, slipped it through the legs of Mark Kinsella as he cut into the box and drilled the ball past Kiely into the bottom far corner.

Di Canio turned provider in first-half injury time to set up the third goal for Frank Lampard. His close control bamboozled two defenders before he chipped the ball across the six-yard box, and Lampard bundled it across the line.

Charlton had chances to give themselves a lifeline, but they were out of luck and it was easy to see why they have taken just four points on their travels this season.

Shaka Hislop made a good save to keep out a Claus Jensen free-kick, Rigobert Song intercepted well to deny Jonatan Johansson and John Robinson had a shot blocked on the line.

West Ham gave them another lesson in finishing when Sinclair killed off any faint hopes they may have had after 71 minutes.

Di Canio won the ball for Michael Carrick to feed Nigel Winterburn on the left flank. His cross was cleared as far as Sinclair, and he unleashed a terrific 25-yard volley which flew in off the right post.

West Ham's fifth and final goal, after 83 minutes, was a fine example of which team was working harder for each other on the day.

Charlton were in possession just outside the Hammers box, but were harried into giving it away by not supporting each other.

In one swift movement, Lampard intercepted, fed Carrick and his long ball over the defence was snapped up by Kanoute, who took it around Kiely and slotted into an empty net.

When the final whistle sounded it must have come as a huge relief for the team wearing Redbus on their shirts. After being steamrollered they could not get back on their team coach and away from Upton Park fast enough.

West Ham: Hislop, Stuart Pearce, Song, Sinclair (Moncur 80), Winterburn, Lomas, Carrick, Lampard, Di Canio (Tihinen 86), Kanoute, Camara (Cole 80).

Subs Not Used: Forrest, Diawara.

Booked: Lomas.

Goals: Di Canio 13, Kanoute 18, Lampard 45, Sinclair 71, Kanoute 84.

Charlton: Kiely, Kishishev (Parker 70), Powell, Stuart, Rufus, Kinsella, Robinson (Konchesky 82), Brown, Jensen, Johansson, Svensson (Pringle 26).

Subs Not Used: Caig, Todd.

Att: 26,046

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).