It was Dean Ashton, scorer of three goals, who ran the show. Although Town did not lay down, who's attacking menace, notably in the first half, more than matched West Ham at times.
Ashton scored with only four minutes on the clock, when he hammered home from just outside the box following good work from midfielder Matthew Etherington.
The lead was short lived, Town equalising through Veliche Shumlikoski, but as soon as Town were level, West Ham were back in the lead as Craig Bellamy scored with a beautiful lob.
Bellamy's night was not all good news though, he shortly limped off after with what looked like a hamstring injury.
With the Hammers shuffling their team about, Town took advantage, Owen Garvan putting the ball in the net after Green had parried his initial shot.
Star of the night, Ashton, restored West Ham's lead and grabbed his second on the hour mark. He picked up on a rebound from young midfielder Kyle Reid's and smashed the ball into the net.
With less than twenty minutes remaining Ashton sealed his hat-trick with Reid having another part to play. The midfielder curled a cross into the area and Ashton met the ball first-time to beat Wright.
West Ham claimed a fifth on seventy eight minutes with former Town Lonee, Mark Noble, placing a stunning shot from a little over 25 yards out, leaving Wright with no chance.
Alan Lee added a consolation in the dying minutes to give an end to an eight goal thriller, West Ham coming out on top.
Although Town fans will be fairly pleased with the performance, many took note on the vulnerability of Town's defense, something which is almost become a familiarity in recent seasons.
Jim will be hoping that the promise he saw in the attacking display of his team will be enough to overcome the defensive weaknesses in his team, which on this evidence wasn't quite up to scratch.
He had hoped for a good defensive performance tonight, calling for a "blockade" to be put out to stop the likes of Ashton and co out.