Avram Grant hailed his team as they set up the prospect of an FA Cup quarter-final with Stoke City with Wembley as the prize for the winners.
The manager was delighted with the 5-1 fifth-round success against a resurgent Burnley side who are pushing hard for promotion back to the Barclays Premier League. Grant knew the expectation was on his men to come out on top but also that the job would be a difficult one.
"We were the Premier League team and people would expect us to win. But we knew it would be difficult, they are in a good moment. They have been playing well and they are good tactically. We did very well and made it hard for them."
The manager identified that the key was stretching the Clarets back-line in the second half, after the precious lead given to them by Thomas Hitzlsperger on his long-awaited debut. "We spoke about it at half-time. The line of the defence was sometimes too high. We had passed the ball well in the first half but not as many times forward as we needed to. We did that in the second half and it worked."
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A quickfire double from Carlton Cole put paid to the visitors' dreams before Winston Reid's first Hammers goal and a late strike from Freddie Sears wrapped up an excellent night's work. The manager conceded that his team would be considered as contenders to go all the way to the final, but stressed there was a bigger priority for the season."Stay up and win the cup is a scenario I would buy now. This is our target. Our first priority in the league but it is good to be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. We are coming to every game knowing that we want to win. We had a good run in the Carling Cup. We want the same in the cup as we know we are one game from Wembley now."
Key to those hopes could be Hitzlsperger's return after missing the whole season to date with a thigh injury suffered on Germany duty. "It is very important to have Thomas back. If you saw how he did in the pre-season you can understand why he is such a good player.
"He can score from anywhere, he has good movement, he has good passing. He is a very intelligent player. We have been waiting for him. He will improve as well as he gets fitter.
"We wanted to play with three midfielders who can go forward, pass the ball and this is our way. The forwards also did well for us and their movement was good in the second half."
With Liverpool arriving for a major league battle on Sunday, the manager said an improving injury situation - Matthew Upson is still being assessed over his achilles injury, contrary to some reports - would help the survival fight. The Stoke cup challenge will then follow on the weekend of 12/13 March.
"It has not been an easy season for us but it is a good challenge. We can do it, of course we can. We are more efficient, more stable and have fewer injuries even if we missed Matthew Upson. Players like Thomas and others coming back will make it easier.
"When everyone is fit, we have a good team."