Monday 28 December 2015 21:35, UK
West Ham manager Slaven Bilic praised supersub Andy Carroll after his winner against Southampton and said there are few better teams in the Premier League than the Hammers.
Southampton arrived at the Boleyn Ground on the back of thumping Arsenal 4-0 on Boxing Day and the Saints went into the break one-nil up thanks to Carl Jenkinson's own goal.
But an inspired double-substitution by Bilic saw the Hammers come from behind to claim their first victory since October after Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll came off the bench to turn the game on its head.
Bilic said afterwards that he was pleased with his side's character. "It was a massive win," he told Sky Sports.
"This was like a special game for us. The way we done it, we have done it and shown two faces. I am not talking about the quality now.
"I know that we are without some players but we had a great character and showed in the second half great willingness, great determination, great character, and we deserved to win this game at the end."
Goalscorer Carroll had found the net just twice this season after being reduced to 11 appearances this campaign and Bilic said he might deploy the striker as an impact player after such a lengthy time on the sidelines.
"He is always crucial," the West Ham manager said. "So far he showed although he had some really good games he started for us in the game against Man United away in the game against Stoke at home I thought he was really good.
"To be fair I think he was best for us this season when he was coming on [as a substitute] so as an impact player. So maybe that is what he has to do also with the big long break that he had.
"His impact against Norwich, against Chelsea, or today it's not only because of the goal. He is making spaces, he is winning the ball, he is working really hard and he can also pass the ball so he was also one of the reasons we turned the game around in the second half."
The victory meant West Ham sit in seventh place, one point behind Manchester United, and Bilic said there were few teams in the Premier League better than the Hammers.
"This is the Premier League. Basically my son told me the other day - and he is right, no matter about which team you are talking [about in] this Premier League - more or less every win you have to celebrate like an FA Cup final. And not just West Ham but Chelsea and all them. So basically, there are no guarantees here.
"What I said at the beginning of the season, and I stick by my words, is if we stay out of injuries and all that - ok maybe we will get one, two or three maybe - then I am very optimistic. If we work hard then we have a very good football team. There a very few who are better than us."
Enner Valencia had to be replaced towards the end of the game and was seen hobbling after the full-time whistle. However, Bilic said the injury was not serious.
