Slaven Bilic was thrilled with the response shown by his side to defeat Southampton
Slaven Bilic hailed a huge victory for his team after the Hammers came from behind to defeat Southampton 2-1 at the Boleyn Ground on Monday evening.
Victory looked in doubt when Carl Jenkinson's unfortunate own goal gave the Saints an interval lead, but the Hammers were galvanised in the second half and turned the game around.
Michail Antonio levelled before Andy Carroll nodded home the winner to leave Bilic a happy man.
"It's three massive points for us," he said. "We needed it and now we can talk about a positive series, because we are six unbeaten and we ended up with a win.
"Otherwise it would be eight without a win and it's not spinning words, it's fact. It's really good, considering everything that happened in the first half.
"We showed a change in character, a change in determination and a change in attitude. To be fair they could have been two up at half time, but they weren't, and nobody can say we didn't deserve it in the end.
"We deserved it with the hard work, the approach and, at the end of the day, the quality we showed in the second half.
"We turned the game around which is very difficult to do in the Premier League and it's great for belief.
Victory looked in doubt when Carl Jenkinson's unfortunate own goal gave the Saints an interval lead, but the Hammers were galvanised in the second half and turned the game around.
Michail Antonio levelled before Andy Carroll nodded home the winner to leave Bilic a happy man.
"It's three massive points for us," he said. "We needed it and now we can talk about a positive series, because we are six unbeaten and we ended up with a win.
"Otherwise it would be eight without a win and it's not spinning words, it's fact. It's really good, considering everything that happened in the first half.
"We showed a change in character, a change in determination and a change in attitude. To be fair they could have been two up at half time, but they weren't, and nobody can say we didn't deserve it in the end.
"We deserved it with the hard work, the approach and, at the end of the day, the quality we showed in the second half.
"We turned the game around which is very difficult to do in the Premier League and it's great for belief.
"It's great for the players who came back and it's good motivation because we are expecting even more players to come back.
"It's a really good night for West Ham fans and I'm especially pleased for them as they were the ones who lifted us in the second half. They were behind us and we felt that."
Bilic was especially pleased for the two goalscorers, who have had frustrating seasons to date.
He added: "Andy is like that, he's that kind of a player. He needs to stay regular in training without any injuries and his quality was never a question.
"Michail deserves it. He is one of those examples which is important for new players, for young players and for players who are changing levels like he did.
"He didn't play at the start of the season because we had some players who played really well in those positions."
"It's a really good night for West Ham fans and I'm especially pleased for them as they were the ones who lifted us in the second half. They were behind us and we felt that."
Bilic was especially pleased for the two goalscorers, who have had frustrating seasons to date.
He added: "Andy is like that, he's that kind of a player. He needs to stay regular in training without any injuries and his quality was never a question.
"Michail deserves it. He is one of those examples which is important for new players, for young players and for players who are changing levels like he did.
"He didn't play at the start of the season because we had some players who played really well in those positions."