Steve Bruce was left to eulogise about Mohamed Diame's impact at Hull after the deadline day signing's third goal in four matches helped his side to victory over Crystal Palace.
Bruce brought Diame in to bolster the Tigers midfield and with the Senegal international's contract into its last year at West Ham, he cost just £3.5million.
That already seems a snip after a debut goal against his former employers, a thunderbolt against Newcastle and the crucial headed opener in the 2-0 win over Palace.
A barnstorming display in a losing cause against Manchester City further burnished Diame's credentials last weekend and Bruce admits he was delighted to take advantage of uncertainty over his Hammers future.
"I don't think it was the case West Ham didn't want him but I think everybody has to make a decision when there's 10 months left on your contract," said Bruce.
"Will you give him a new contract or are you going to cash in? West Ham obviously cashed in.
"I can understand the situation, when people don't sign a contract for you then sometimes you've got no option, but it's been a benefit to us and we are delighted to have brought him in.
"He's got a right foot, a left foot and now he's scored with a header. He's not quite the complete midfielder but he's big, he's strong, he's athletic, he handles the ball well, he's good in the air, he's got two good feet.
"He's had a really good start so let's hope it continues. He's come here and he's enjoying his football, why wouldn't you when you've got three goals in four games for a new club?"
While Diame has already gone a long way to paying back the relatively modest transfer fee, Bruce revealed he has plenty more to make up for too.
Diame scored twice against Sunderland during Bruce's time on Wearside and played in the Wigan win that ultimately led to his dismissal.
"I think he got me the sack when I was at Sunderland actually, if I'm being honest," said Bruce.
"I first came across him when he was at Wigan and blasted one in against us."
Despite dominating for long periods, City only made the game safe in the 89th minute when Jake Livermore's perfect through ball found Nikica Jelavic.
The Croatian finished calmly to net his fourth of the season and ensure Hull's first win since the opening day defeat of QPR.
For Palace there was less to cheer, with a curiously flat performance hardly becoming a side chasing a third successive victory.
Yet manager Neil Warnock used his post-match press conference as a platform to fight Fraizer Campbell's corner.
A one-time Hull loanee, he was booed relentlessly by the home fans having twice turned down a permanent move.
But Warnock was more annoyed at a perceived lack of consistency from referee Mike Dean.
"I had to take Fraizer Campbell off because he got a silly booking but in the first minute he was body-checked, which should have been a yellow card," he said.
"Then just before half-time, there's an elbow from (Michael) Dawson - I've seen red cards for less than that.
"The referee doesn't see that but he sees all the little niggles that poor old Fraizer gets booked for.
"Referees should be in a position to see elbows like that and know it's not an accident. It's dangerous play.
"They need to be educated better, even though he's one of our better refs."
Source: PA
