Sunday 21 December 2014 08:18, UK
Sam Allardyce praised his West Ham side's "thoroughly professional" performance in their 2-0 victory over Leicester at Upton Park.
Andy Carroll’s opportunistic opener handed the hosts a well-deserved half-time lead in Saturday's Premier League clash before Stewart Downing's exquisite curled effort sealed the points and ensured the Hammers would occupy fourth spot over Christmas.
As West Ham continued their fine league form, Allardyce was pleased to see his side deal with the expectation of being favourites against a Leicester side who will be bottom at Christmas, and set his sights on the forthcoming games with Chelsea and Arsenal.
Cushion
"I was very pleased with how we applied ourselves today. This was a huge game for us because the expectation was so high, having done so well this season," Allardyce told Sky Sports.
"When you play the team at the bottom of the table, you know the fans are going to come down and everybody expects you to just turn up and win. It’s a big challenge for the players to make sure they play to their level and they've done that today. They've done a thoroughly professional job with some quality goals.
"We are in a fantastic position now in the league where we are nearly halfway through the season and we're in the top four and we’ve sustained that for the last few weeks. Of course, our next challenge is Chelsea away and Arsenal at home, so that will be a huge test.
"We could play our best football and have our best tactics available against Chelsea and Arsenal and still not win because of the quality they've got. What we have given ourselves, though, is a big cushion for when we come to play the big teams; with no pressure on us in terms of we’ve got to go out and get points against them.
His (Downing's) major contribution of providing goals and opportunities for other people is absolutely magnificent at this moment in time
"Saying that, we then become the underdogs rather than the favourites and sometimes that eases the pressure off our players. Hopefully they go out and play better than they did today but that doesn’t mean to say that they'll beat those teams."
Magnificent
Both strikes on show at Upton Park were spectacular in their own right and when asked which one he preferred, Allardyce opted for Downing’s fourth league goal of the season, and also praised the winger’s ability as a provider for his teammates.
"Stewart’s goal for me was the better of the two,” Allardyce said.
"His first touch and then he’s passed and bent it into the net. We’ve been talking about the fact he’s started to control his finishes a bit better for a while now.
"That’s two-in-two now and four for the season. Not only that, his major contribution of providing goals and opportunities for other people is absolutely magnificent at this moment in time."
