The England striker moved on from his latest injury setback with an outstanding performance and two leaping headers as the Hammers recorded a 3-1 win at Upton Park on Sunday.
Inbetween his spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury, the 25-year-old had gone 797 minutes without a goal, and the big man was clearly delighted to end his drought.
"It means a lot to me to get back on the score sheet," he said.
"I've played a couple of games and I'm back, but until you score you don't feel like you are definitely back. But now I've scored I am definitely back.
He continued: "It is a great feeling. It is fantastic to be back on the pitch and playing as many games as I have in the last few weeks.
"There is nothing better than scoring goals as a striker, so I was desperate to get a goal and it is great feeling.
"You always have to just think about the positives [when injured]. The medical staff have helped me a lot and it is credit to them that I am back."
Carroll's strike ended a run of 797 minutes without a goal for the striker
With West Ham sitting third in the league for the first time since 1999, albeit until this evening’s fixture between Southampton and Manchester United, Carroll’s club boss Sam Allardyce says the Newcastle-born forward can be an effective force for the remainder of the season.
"He is unstoppable when he gets that space," Allardyce said following the game.
"Movement in the box is what it is all about, the heading ability only comes after the movement is right to give you the space to attack the ball and that happened with his two goals.
"I think when he stands a little too close to defenders and starts fighting them we don't get the best out of him. Hopefully he continues to learn that way."
Carroll, the club’s record signing at £15m, returned from injury last month after tearing his ankle ligaments in pre-season, with Sunday being his fifth appearance of the campaign.
