WEST HAM were handed a Christmas gift by Fulham that Carlton Cole gleefully accepted before Freddie Piquionne then gave his side the lead in a late first-half smash and grab.

Cole capitalised on an ill-judged interception from Dickson Etuhu to stab the ball past the outstretched arm of Mark Schwarzer in the Fulham goal to cancel out Aaron Hughes’ early opener.

And the turnaround was complete when Scott Parker’s deep cross was met by the unmarked Piquionne at the back post with a neat volley finish.

Fulham were in control throughout the first period of this Boxing Day clash at Craven Cottage and they took the lead when Hughes was afforded time and space in the six-yard box to convert Simon Davies’ cross from the left.

West Ham did not threaten the hosts’ goal until Freddie Sears’ mis-hit low centre was intercepted by Etuhu. But the midfielder could only poke it back towards his goal, where Cole was waiting to stab the ball inside the far post.

A smart link-up between Junior Stanislas and Parker on the left flank then saw the Fulham backline sucked towards the action, leaving Piquionne free at the back post, where Parker was able to find him on the stroke of half-time.