Admin Sun 06 Nov 2011, 9:05 am
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce praised goalkeeper Robert Green for his performance in the 2-0 victory over Hull City, while Nigel Pearson was left to bemoan the crucial first goal.
Sam Baldock's fifth goal since signing from MK Dons in August put the visitors in front four minutes into the second half at the KC Stadium, and eight minutes later Jack Collison slotted home a well-taken second to secure West Ham's 2-0 win.
However, having soaked up pressure for long spells, West Ham were reliant on the heroics of Green, who recently returned from a lay-off following knee surgery.
"Robert had the operation and recovered two weeks ahead of schedule, so his wellbeing as a goalkeeper is far better than before he had his operation," Allardyce said.
"He's got great stature and ability between the posts and at the moment he looks pretty impregnable. He looks like he's going to save everything and although Hull worked us hard, Robert was there to stop them.
"The difference between us and Hull was that we were clinical at one end and our goalkeeper produced excellent saves at the other end."
Allardyce, who is hoping to bring in a central defender on loan during the coming international break, added: "We were ruthless when it came to the good period we had and we were very good tactically.
"We defended very well in the first half but we didn't do enough in attack.
"We changed things around in the second half by bringing on (Carlton) Cole and we got a fantastic result with two goals in a great 10-minute spell."
Pearson reaction
Hull boss Pearson said: "I thought it was a good game and we played pretty well but unfortunately for us the first goal was important.
"We changed our shape with three in attack and we did very well in the first half, but we weren't able to score when we were on top.
"However, it was a positive that we came up against a side in second place and we think we were as good as them.
"We have to look at it as being a learning experience for the players. I'm delighted with how they are as a group and the division remains very tight."