Premier League: Sylvain Distin enjoyed physical confrontation with West Ham

Everton defender Sylvain Distin says he enjoyed the rough and tumble of Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham.

Distin had a bruising afternoon up against Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole, one of the sub-plots of a fractious game.

Midfielder James McCarthy showed no signs of the hamstring injury which prompted Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane to question Everton's handling of their players in the run up to international duty when he clattered into Morgan Amalfitano sparking full-on confrontations all over the pitch.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce - who has a reputation for moulding aggressive, physical teams - said he asked the officials to give his players more protection.

For all the football Roberto Martinez's team plays, Distin stressed there were times when you just have to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in and that is what exactly they did against the high-flying Hammers who were on a five-match unbeaten run which had taken them into the top four before the weekend.

"We knew what to expect from them. It was an old-fashioned game, the sort of game I used to play week in, week out when I started in the Premier League," said the Frenchman.

"Now the football has changed completely so you don't have too many types of game like this but I like it.

"It is a physical challenge and we stood up and when it started to be a bit tough and rough we kept strong and it is really good to see that side of the team.

"It was a tough one but that is what you expect when you play against West Ham and they didn't disappoint us.

"You have to fight until the last minute. That is what you have to do if you want three points.

"The Premier League will never be easy, that is the beauty of it.

"If we feel like we are going to score three goals to bury the game in the first half we can keep dreaming because that is not going to happen every game.

"It is for us to adapt and accept that it happens sometimes but the most important thing is to react and get three points.

"It happened last season, and it happens to every single club. I don't think it is typical to Everton. I've seen it every season and I don't see anything special that is happening with us."