Robert Green has described his stunning penalty save from Jason Roberts that turned the game against Blackburn Rovers as a "little bit of pot luck".
The goalkeeper, who was recalled to the England squad last night, flung himself low to his left just after half-time to keep out the Blackburn forward's spot-kick and ensure Alan Curbishley's side retained their 2-1 advantage. Some tense moments followed, before Craig Bellamy and Carlton Cole struck late on to secure a memorable victory that led to West Ham United finishing the weekend in fifth place - one point off top spot.
"It is a pleasing win," said Green. "We knew there was quite a lot riding on it. None more so than going into a two-week break without a game and we needed to come away with a good result. It sort of mirrored the [2-1 win against] Wigan game in that we started off brightly and then conceded not the greatest of goals.
"The boys defended well for a long period of time and it was a big relief when the third goal went in and everyone relaxed and started playing football again. It is always a difficult one to get a balance between playing a lot of football and committing men forward, while trying to hold on to what you have got. So all in all it is a very pleasing day and a pleasing win."
The shot-stopper's moment in the spotlight came on 48 minutes when Roberts stepped up to the spot after Carlton Cole's inadvertent handball. Normally, Green prepares by watching videos of opposing penalty takers - a formula that stood him in good stead last season for stops against Reading, Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur - but it was a case of the unknown this time around. Green explained: "I don't think they have had one this season and I think Benni McCarthy took them all last season so it was a little bit of pot luck, but thankfully it came off. I am just pleased for everyone involved."
The 28-year-old emphasised the collective spirit over his individual moment of brilliance, hailing the commitment throughout the team. "There was a lot of hard work and a lot of blows physically ... the lads acquitted themselves well. It is not going to be perfect flowing football every minute of every game and while it was going well we scored and when we needed to we defended. Then it came good at the end ... I was pleased for everyone that got involved in the changing room and obviously pleased for the fans to see a lot of goals and an entertaining game. I think people have gone home happy."