A more-relaxed performance from two teams with nothing to play for - league-wise at least - was inevitable and only the most heartless of critics could fault Fulham if they'd rather be glued to a television set displaying a permanent image of the Europa League trophy.
The rested Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes, Zoltan Gera and Danny Murphy would have at least had it on their minds as they watched from the stands.
There were few chances in the first half, but West Ham undeniably had the better of them despite falling behind shortly before the break.
Twice Hammers players rose unmarked from corners after Mark Schwarzer was forced to parry saves behind his goal.
Matthew Upson guided perhaps the most threatening of these two headers wide just shy of 25 minutes in.
Upson continues to look unconvincing at the back, with his concentration and reading of the game lacking and he is looking ever more likely to lose his England spot to Tottenham's Michael Dawson or Ledley King.
Clint Dempsey then put the home side ahead as the referee was contemplating a half-time whistle.
Last Thursday's hero against Hamburg, Simon Davies, burst between two players, cutting inside from the left and fed in Dempsey, who needed only a touch to beat Manuel Da Costa and slot the ball home at the near post.
Carlton Cole's face put Fulham two ahead just before the hour after West Ham failed to clear a corner properly and the ball fell to Chris Baird.
The defender sliced a shot first time towards the corner flag only to see his attempt ricochet in off the forward's head.
Cole wiped the smirk from those laughing at his misfortune though, just two minutes later, by pulling a goal back when he rose well from a Noble cross to turn a header past Schwarzer.
Stefano Okaka increased Fulham's lead by two again, tapping in Erik Nevland's grounded cross at the far post after 79 minutes, before Noble pulled another back for the away side in stoppage time.