Slaven Bilic remaining realistic despite guiding West Ham into top four

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic is remaining realistic despite seeing his side move up to the Champions League places with a 3-1 win at Crystal Palace.

West Ham earned their fourth away win of the campaign at Selhurst Park against 10-man Palace, scoring two late goals to wrap up the three points.

Bilic is keen to remind fans only nine games have passed in the Premier League, but praised his side's patience in finally taking the lead two minutes from time through Manuel Lanzini.

Bilic said: "Unfortunately it is only October, not May. It would be great if it was June. 

"We are trying to play good football, and we don't have targets. Our target is first to stay in the league. This is a very dangerous league.

"Some clubs started great, or started bad, and suddenly they're in trouble, or they're flying now, and it's only been nine games.

"We're going to continue to play good football, to defend with numbers and attack with numbers."

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Despite earning wins at Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City so far this season, Bilic said the trip to Palace was their biggest test of the season, and admits the sending off of Dwight Gayle just before half-time for a second booking helped his side.

"Every win in the Premier League is great," added Bilic. "I told the guys last night that we and my staff were looking at this game as our biggest test.

"Of course the red card helped us, but I think we were the better side in the first half anyway.

"Praise goes to the players, they've done the job."