Mohamed Diame says West Ham United will need to up their performance level if they are to gain another vital victory at Sunderland on Monday evening.
The Senegal midfielder earned the Hammers a penalty in their 2-1 Barclays Premier League win over ten-man Hull City on Wednesday, but admitted the home side had not been at their best at the Boleyn Ground.
With another six-pointer up next at the Stadium of Light, Diame has demanded an improvement.
"The result was the important thing," said the No21. "We didn't play well, but it was all about the three points.
"I think at home we need to play as well as we do away, but the three points was the prize, so now we have seven games left and we have to take as many points as possible.
"I just think we played badly. They had ten men and it is not normal that they kept the ball like they did, especially on our pitch, so I think we need to be better in the next game."
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West Ham started Wednesday's game brightly and went ahead when Diame latched onto a loose ball inside the Hull penalty area following a strong run from Mark Noble.
The ball struck two Tigers defenders and Diame himself on the right arm before he poked a shot past onrushing goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
The Scottish stopper brought down the Hammers player before Maynor Figueroa cleared the ball off the line. After a delay while referee Mike Dean consulted his assistant before giving the penalty and sending off the injured McGregor, Noble despatched the spot-kick past substitute goalkeeper Steve Harper.
Mohamed Diame won the Hammers' penalty on Wednesday
After a succession of frustrating decisions had gone against West Ham in their previous three games, Diame was happy to enjoy the rub of the green on this occasion.
"I think in the last games we didn't have the referee with us, but it happened for us in this game and it was good to get the penalty.
"I think just before the challenge from the goalkeeper, I touched the ball with my arm. I was waiting for the ref to blow up, but sometimes it is good to have the referee with us. After the handball I could curl the ball in and it was a foul I think, so it was good for us.
"Mark Noble is always good for these penalties. He always waits until the goalkeeper has decided which way to go and then he puts it to the other side."
Diame and company will hope for more good fortune when West Ham travel to the North East for Monday's meeting with Sunderland.
For Hammers supporters who would like to watch the match in person, Standard and Disabled Adult tickets at the Stadium of Light are just £19. Over-65s can attend the match for just £9 and Under-16s get in completely free of charge.
These low prices are due to the Club offering a £10 discount as part of the Premier League's Away Fans Fund, designed, in part, to reduce costs for travelling supporters.
For full details of how to book your seats now, click here.