Slaven Bilic: West Ham's win over Crystal Palace doesn't change much

By Gerard Brand

Image: West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday should not paper over some cracks in his side.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday should not paper over some cracks in his side.

Manuel Lanzini's first-half goal gave West Ham a much-needed win, only their second in the Premier League this season, to lift them out of the relegation zone.

Image: Manuel Lanzini celebrates scoring the opening goal with Aaron Cresswell

But Bilic, while praising his side for their character, says the win does not mean his side are now "OK". 

"It's always the players. I am more than happy to take the whole responsibility when it's not good but it's about the players who tonight showed everything. Showed confidence, showed composure, showed team spirit and showed quality on the ball," Bilic said.

"It's a very cruel league. We spoke about this a few times with the guys in the press conferences at Rush Green. I didn't stop believing. These three points aren't going to change [league position] if we stop doing what we did today. But this league is very cruel.

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"If we think for one second that now we are OK and we are going to win points or games just because we turn up, and just because we won. No. 

"There is no yesterday in football. But this has to be a pattern for us in a positive way, what we have to do, only to come into a position to win football games in the Premier League. If you're not like this then you don't have a chance."

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Christian Benteke missed a first-half penalty for Crystal Palace, while Aaron Cresswell was sent off for two quick bookings in an eventful game at Selhurst Park. 

Palace boss Alan Pardew admitted Cresswell had been harshly dealt with, while Hammers manager Slaven Bilic added: "The first yellow is a penalty for us, and the second yellow is simply not a yellow."

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