Sam Allardyce paid tribute to the defensive resilience of his West Ham United after a dogged display was enough to earn a 1-0 win at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Monday night's hosts have been imperious at their brand new Amex Stadium and the manager knew the team would have to cope with a confident side roared on by a crowd still riding the crest of a promotion wave, similar to the scenario in the disappointing 1-0 reverse at Southampton the previous week.
As it was Kevin Nolan's solitary strike on 17 minutes settled the contest, even if the injury-hit Hammers missing the creativity of David Bentley, Matt Taylor and Henri Lansbury had to give away much in terms of possession. They certainly needed the likes of the recalled Mark Noble and Jack Collison to work overtime in midfield.
The hard-fought three points on a rain-sodden south coast move the Hammers back to second in the standings, with back to back home matches against Leicester City and Bristol City to come on Saturday and Tuesday where they can hopefully turn on the style as on many previous occasions this campaign.
"It was an outstanding victory for us at a very difficult place to play," Big Sam said. "They have a great crowd and atmosphere, so it is a great three points from us. Automatic promotion is generally determined on how many one-nil wins you can get and it is the same when you are trying to get in the higher end of the Premier League.
"You want to be fluent, score and be open like we have been in the previous games of course - we have scored four goals in four different games remember - but today we were a solid, hard-working unit of lads determined to try and bounce back from the disappointment at Southampton."
Bounce back they did to make it four wins and two draws in seven on the road, promotion form that has helped propel the team back to the promotion positions. The manager was just as satisfied as he had been with the free-flowing football that saw his team cruise past Blackpool in their last home outing.
"Our task today was to capitalise on the opposition and how they play, first and foremost. If we could get the first goal, which we did, it was about defending properly. From that point of view, we have done it.
"I would have to say it was very difficult throughout the game particularly the second half as Brighton were pushing us so hard but our defensive unity became so good that in the end what chances did they have?
"They didn't have the chances that went with their possession and territorial advantage today. In the end, our breakout play wasn't good enough but Julien Faubert probably had the best chance of the second half and Freddie Sears had a couple of half-chances and didn't capitalise."
As well as his inspirational skipper Nolan, the manager paid tribute to Manuel Almunia, whose initial loan from Arsenal could be up after Saturday's home game with Leicester. He suggested that Robert Green was making good progress from his knee surgery on 30 September but, regardless, Almunia had impressed to date.
"Manny has done a fantastic job for us. He is a nice lad and he has been pleased to play first-team football. We are very grateful he has joined us."
The visit of the Foxes will have further spice with the news they parted company with Sven-Goran Eriksson earlier on Monday. Big Sam is well aware of the fact a change in manager can often lead to an immediate reaction from the players left behind, but is hopeful his team can once again meet the challenge head on.
"I hope it doesn't affect them in a good way. I hope it affects them in a negative way of course. It could go either way for us on Saturday. They are a good group of players that have been brought to the club. They will be difficult to play against.
"[Eriksson's departure] shows the desperation to get the Holy Grail. The Championship is full of teams that have played in the Premier League and want to get back to it."