Kevin Keen was all smiles after celebrating his temporary return to reserve-team management with a 4-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Keen took charge of West Ham United's second-string for the first time in two-and-a-half years at the Baggies' training ground and was rewarded with an encouraging all-round performance.
Radoslav Kovac, Cristian Montano, Olly Lee and Freddie Sears were all on target, while Thomas Hitzlsperger made a welcome return to action after six months out with a thigh problem.
First-team coach Keen, who stepped in after Alex Dyer left the Hammers to take the role of assistant manager at Charlton Athletic, was happy to see the Germany international come through a 60-minute run out unscathed.
"Thomas did really well," he told West Ham TV. "It's been a long while out for him and it would be great to have him in and around the first team because he's got great quality and is a wonderful passer of the ball.
"He still needs more time, maybe two or three weeks, but he'll certainly be a good addition to the squad."
While the sight of HItzlsperger spraying passes around the midfield was a welcome one, Keen was also pleased with the performances of his other players, including senior professionals Kovac, Sears and Zavon Hines.
"It was a good result. The first half was quite even and then came up with a goal off a set piece and scored a wonder goal just before half-time and, all of a sudden, the game changed.
"We suddenly had the ascendancy and the boys played really well on the break in the second half.
"I had no doubts because I had four seniors - Kovi, Freddie, Zavon and Thomas - that they would produce good performances. They are great lads, they work hard and I knew they would come in and give their best.
"The young lads, especially in the second half, showed some really promising touches, so I was really pleased with them."
While Keen will return to first-team duties, the club is getting closer to appointing a new reserve-team manager until the end of the season.
The former West Ham winger said whoever takes over will inherit a confident group of players and should relish the job.
"I think Alex Dyer has left a really good set of lads. He's coached them well and they know what they're doing.
"That core group of five or six - your Cristian Montanos, Anthony Edgars and Olly Lees - are good lads and want to do well, so whoever takes over until the end of the season has got a good job and plenty to work with."