"Just wait until he's fully fit, he'll be a fantastic player." Those were Hammers boss Harry Redknapp's words before rebel striker Paolo Di Canio arrived at West Ham.

It has taken three full games for the Roman firebrand to repay fully Redknapp's belief but now he undoubtedly has.

From the 35th minute strike he slotted home with ease from a sublime Hammers build up, Di Canio's constant off-the-ball running and back tracking deserved special commendation.

He almost added to his goal in the 74th minute with a jinking solo run complemented by a curling effort which flew just wide of John Filan's right-hand post.

But for all Blackburn's skill and hard work they lacked the experience to gel under pressure. And it was, at times, men against boys.

The three-man Rovers defence was soon picked apart by the pacy Trevor Sinclair, a constant tormentor of his former QPR team-mate Darren Peacock.

Sinclair led the way with his by-line crosses, matches in the 27th minute by Di Canio.

With Iain Pearce loitering in the same place as when he scored against Forest two weeks before, Di Canio intuitively picked out the big centre half at the far post.

Pearce's well-directed header squeezed off the inside of the upright for a goal.

Eight minutes later and West Ham had made it two. England Under-21 captain Frank Lampard threaded a breathtaking short ball to the impish Eyal Berkovic in the six-yard box.

The Israeli international's instinctive knock across goal eluded Filan for Di Canio to finish with a grin to the boss Redknapp.

But like Forest before them, Blackburn refused to accept defeat. The second half arrival of Damien Duff and Kevin Davies resurrected the visitors.

A long throw from Callum Davidson was flicked on by Ashley Ward only for Nathan Blake to shoot over.

Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie twice fired wide from long range while Duff's fine arching shot looked to be beating Shaka Hislop off his line but he produced a remarkable save.

Yet they could not break down West Ham. Flinging in high balls was rarely going to overcome the lanky Hammers defence.

Meanwhile West Ham were able to make the most of a relatively diminutive Rovers back line.

They looked dangerous from the setpieces as indeed Pearce's strike proved.

But the home side were impressive. And if midfield marshal Marc-Vivien Foe can add graft to his undoubted talent, they will soon be the finished article.

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