Avram Grant reflected on a "very good Christmas" after West Ham finally dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Wolves at Upton Park.
Freddie Sears secured what could prove to be three crucial points 10 minutes from time with a first goal since scoring on his debut in March 2008. Grant's side had goalkeeper Robert Green to thank with a string of fine saves before they went ahead when Ronald Zubar scored an own goal at the start of the second half.
"It has been a very good Christmas, a good week for us," said Grant, who had reportedly been given the hectic festive schedule to turn around his team's fortunes. "I felt before this run that we were very efficient, but you can imagine how the players feel - they are very happy."
He added: "Now we are getting the wins we deserve, including this one against Wolves, so we're very happy but there is a long way to go.
"It's much nicer to be out of the bottom three but we know we have a long way to go to do what we want to do - but after what's happened in the last month this was nice.
"We are trying to play for ourselves at this stage of the season. I can tell you the spirit was always good, they wanted to get out of this situation. We played three games in six days and we have done very well. So I am very happy and I am sure we will continue like we are doing and stay efficient."
For Wolves, the result was a major disappointment following their superb midweek victory at Liverpool.
Next up is a clash against champions Chelsea, before a trip to Manchester City followed by dates with Liverpool again, Manchester United and Arsenal in February. However, with his side still only two points behind the 15th-placed Hammers, Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is not about to throw in the towel just yet.
"We are two points from safety and as far as I am aware we are not getting relegated in the morning," he said. "We are scrapping away and we played well enough.
"Both teams would have been a little bit sensitive and fragile, whoever concedes the first, yet we should have equalised to be honest."
Source: PA
