And the decision to recall Duncan Ferguson proved crucial as the big Scot flicked on a centre into the path of Thomas Radzinski, who set up Unsworth to fire the ball past Edwin van der Sar from the edge of the box after just 31 seconds.

The Dutch keeper then made a hash of his clearance to gift Ferguson a second on 13 minutes and give Moyes a blistering start even he could not have dreamed off.

But it was not all good news for the Everton faithful - the home side were reduced to 10 men just before the half hour when Thomas Gravesen was shown his second yellow card for a for a late tackle on Luis Boa Morte.

And Fulham pulled a goal back following sustained pressure on 52 minutes when Barry Hayles got to the byline and pulled the ball back for Steed Malbranque to stab it home from about six yards.

However, Everton did their new boss proud to hold on and secure a brilliant start for Moyes - and give him a boost in the battle against relegation.

Manchester United were knocked off the top of the Barclaycard Premiership table after Liverpool’s win at Middlesbrough earlier today.

And things got worse for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men when West Ham skipper Steve Lomas - just back after a knee injury - powered a header past Fabien Barthez on eight minutes at Upton Park.

England captain David Beckham then equalised with a brilliant lob after a surging run - but it took just three minutes for the Hammers to get themselves back in front when Frederic Kanoute sidefooted home a low cross.

And it was three goals in five amazing minutes as Nicky Butt made it 2-2, heading in a Beckham free-kick.

The visitors then forged ahead for the first time 10 minutes after the re-start when Paul Scholes scored from close range after good work from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Norwegian international was on the scoresheet himself after 64 minutes when he stabbed the ball home from after the Hammers’ defence had failed to clear.

Jermain Defoe (78) gave the home side hope of getting something from a topsy-turvy game - but Beckham scored a late penalty to ensure it was the Red Devils who held on to go back to the summit.