The Championship pace-setters ran out deserved winners thanks to Conor Townsend’s early strike.
Bilic said: “I’m happy, very pleased with the result and even more with the performance.
“We were positive from the start, we were brave, we kept the ball really well.
“I said at half-time the only thing I wasn’t happy about was the score. We were winning, but we should have been up more.”
Gallingly for West Ham, this was pretty much their strongest available line-up while Bilic made eight changes to his side, with the Croatian’s priority lying with the promotion race.
Not only that, but Albion also played the final 18 minutes with ten men after Semi Ajayi was sent off for a second booking.
Among those drafted in by Bilic were experienced campaigners Charlie Austin, Chris Brunt and Gareth Barry, an FA Cup winner nine years ago with Manchester City.
Denne historien er fra January 26, 2020-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra January 26, 2020-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
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ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
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MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
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'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
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POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
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SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
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Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
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