Moyes insists Lingard is proving him right after latest match-winning display
David Moyes seemed pretty pleased again with his newest acquisition on Sunday after Jesse Lingard scored in West Ham's narrow victory over rivals Tottenham.
The Man Utd loanee made it three goals in four appearances for the Hammers since his move at the end of last month, firing what proved to be the winner after Michail Antonio's opener.
Lucas Moura pulled a goal back for Tottenham, before Gareth Bale hit the crossbar, but West Ham held on for a vital three points, which lifted them into the top four.
Speaking after the game, Moyes told BBC's Match of the Day: "Players want to play. They want to show what they can do. Jesse has done great for us and has contributed quickly.
"It wasn't long ago Jesse was an England international so I knew if we could get that level of player, it would improve us."
Lingard took his goal well, capitalising on a favourable ricochet to fire hard and low past Hugo Lloris into the far corner, and credited his teammates after the match for making him feel welcome.
"A brilliant win. The lads are buzzing. We grafted. Luck was on our side today," Lingard told Sky Sports.
"It was just about maintaining the same intensity in the second half. We knew it would be a graft, that is what as a team we are about, working hard for the three points.
"It is brilliant, the lads have taken to me. I have settled in really quickly. I am playing each game with a smile and enjoying my football and that is the most important thing."
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West Ham did a good job of stifling Tottenham, on a day which saw Jose Mourinho's side slip to their fifth Premier League defeat in six games.
And despite the win, Moyes was not completely satisfied with his team.
"Today I don't think we played as well as I'd have liked us to play which says a lot.
"You need a bit of luck along the way but we had all the right things. I want to get better at ball retention and possession but we have something to work with as we have a group of players that are determined to work to have success."
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Talk is already beginning to turn to West Ham's prospects of sealing a spot in Europe at the end of the season, but Moyes feels there is more still to come.
"I feel as if there is a half-job done. I think we can play much better and that's what I'm saying. I don't think we've hit top gear yet. The players have been finding ways to wrestle points off the opposition. They have done a brilliant job."
Lingard echoed his manager's comments, stating: "Everyone has the same mindset and goal for the end of the season and the same targets.
"We don't look at the table too much and will take it game by game but this is an enjoyable position to be in."
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