Winston Reid was all smiles after his first goal of the season in West Ham United's 4-1 npower Championship victory at Nottingham Forest.
The towering No2 got one over first-team coach Wally Downes by netting the final goal in the Hammers' third straight awayday success.
Reid, who also produced another powerful performance at the heart of the defence, said his big win - as well as the one recorded by the whole team - would keep spirits high heading into the international break.
"I missed a chance last weekend against Leeds and at Watford before that, so it was nice to get one.I lost my marker and Nobby [Kevin Nolan] missed the ball and I was fortunate enough to put it into the back of the net.
"After the Watford game, when I should have scored, I told Wally that I'd score within the next four games."
Reid and central defensive partner James Tomkins have looked imperious in West Ham's away wins at Doncaster Rovers, Watford and Forest, while the pair have also been a constant threat in the opposition penalty area from Matt Taylor's outstanding set pieces.
With Abdoulaye Faye returning to fitness as a substitute at the City Ground, the 23-year-old knows he will have to maintain his level of performance if he wants to remain in Sam Allardyce's starting lineup.
"It's good. Abdy has been out injured but obviously he's come back and was on the bench. He came on on Sunday and that's good for the squad. Hopefully everybody can keep fit and there will be competition for spots as well, which will be good for the team.
"Of course I'm delighted to be playing every week. Last year was a difficult year for me - it was my first year at the club and my first year in the country, so it was a little bit difficult for me.
"I'm happy now and I think I'm getting better with every game."
Reid revealed that Big Sam has been working closely with the back four to improve the defensive record that cost the club dear last season.
With new arrivals Joey O'Brien and George McCartney impressing in the full-back berths, the New Zealand international said there was no reason to believe West Ham could not continue to look strong at the back.
"Normally, once a week the Gaffer will take the back line so he can talk about shape, how he wants us to play and how he wants us to defend and I think it has shown in the first five or six games because we haven't conceded as many goals as we did last year. We're defending really well as a team as well.
"It was a disappointing season last year but after the start we've made everybody has smiles on their faces.
"We talked about it before the game that there is an international week coming up and we wanted to go into it with a win. After a disappointing week last week we had to bounce back and we certainly did that on Sunday.
"We've got a few days off which I'll use to go back home and see my family. Then, we'll crack on and we have Portsmouth at home.
"We haven't won at home yet this season so that will be a good opportunity for us to get three points."
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