David Moyes praised his ‘terrific’ West Ham United side after they scored a 4-1 Premier League victory at Huddersfield Town.
The Hammers were inspired at the John Smith’s Stadium, going ahead through Mark Noble, then recovering from conceding an equaliser to score three more times in a devastating 16-minute spell immediately after half-time – first through Marko Arnautovic and then twice through Manuel Lanzini.
While he was not getting carried away, Moyes was rightly proud of becoming the fourth manager to 200 Premier League wins in front of the watching Sir Alex Ferguson.
I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve had good times, I’ve had bad times but ultimately you want to win the games and I’m glad I’ve won a few!
David Moyes
"We've got a long way to go, but the players have done brilliantly well since we came in and a lot of praise must go to them,” said the Scot. “I thought they were terrific today, beating an opponent who was one of the teams around us in the league, so it's really important.”
With six goals and three assists in his last seven Premier League appearances, Arnautovic is in the form of his life, but it was his work-rate – his challenge set up Noble for the opener – which impressed the manager as much as anything else.
"I'm really pleased with Marko. Everybody told me he hadn't performed before I came, but everybody knew how good he was at Stoke City, and that's why we paid a big fee for him. Giving him a freer role up front has given him a chance to show other sides to his game as well, with the effort and the way he has worked.
"Manu could have played him in a couple of times in the first half but he didn’t get the pass. In the end, it was Marko playing in Lanzini to score, so his all-round play was very good. He's done really well.
"The two centre forwards were a threat all day. Every time it went to them, it looked like they were causing problems. It was a real, terrific team effort. Everyone worked hard and did their jobs and I have to praise them all."
Moyes confirmed that Arnautovic’s goal just seconds into the second half, when he beat Huddersfield captain Tommy Smith to Cheikhou Kouyate’s flick before slamming low past Jonas Lossl, was the turning point of the game.
"Undoubtedly the goal in the opening seconds of the second half was a game-changer. You need bits to go for you in football matches and we got a goal right from the kick-off, which gave us a great start to the second half."
That goal put West Ham on course to join Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Harry Redknapp among the select band of bosses with 200 Premier League victories to their names.
“Those names are all great managers so to be in that position is great. I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve had good times, I’ve had bad times but ultimately you want to win the games and I’m glad I’ve won a few!”
West Ham have now climbed to their highest position of the season, and Moyes has challenged his players to keep their run going when they host AFC Bournemouth at London Stadium next weekend.
"I think you stay up in the division by winning your home games and we've sorted it out in the main and have picked up there, but when you're not doing that you've got to win a few games away from home.
"We've had a couple of really good wins away from home and we're also scoring goals. We are a threat and have people capable of it, and people on the bench capable of it as well, so at this moment in time I think we're capable of scoring.
"I'd like to give them better service, so let's keep hoping that we keep winning the games that we need to."