Pellegrini: It’s a very pleasing way to end the season

 


Manuel Pellegrini said the Hammers’ end to the season means they can head into the summer satisfied with their year’s work.

West Ham United registered their third straight win in beating Watford emphatically at Vicarage Road on Saturday, moving into the Premier League’s top ten in the process.

Pellegrini is happy with the progress his team have made this season - particularly after Mark Noble’s double, added to Manuel Lanzini’s and Marko Arnautovic's strikes, put four past Watford and made it eight goals from their last three games.

The boss said: “I’m very pleased because we have won the last three games - Tottenham away which was important for our fans, we finished with a win at home, and now we’ve done it away too, so I think it’s the best way to finish.

“I think to finish the first season in the top half of the table was realistic for where the team is at the moment.

“We have six very strong teams [at the top], and Everton who the last two or three years have reinforced their squad. 

“I think for the first season, to finish in the first ten positions, is not bad.

We have improved in points, in goals scored and goals conceded, so compared with the last season we have grown a step

Manuel Pellegrini

“We will now try to have a good holiday, then the aim will be to win the first game!”

Noble has been one of the team’s standout performers in their strong finish and the boss was also full of praise for his influence.

He added: “Mark Noble reflects absolutely what this club is. He was playing here when he was a young boy, he has had 15 seasons in a row playing most of the games and it was very good for him to score two goals today.

“He’s always talking with young players, with players who arrive here - he’s not only a good player but he’s also the leader and that’s so important for a manager.”