West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce during the npower Football League Championship match at St Andrews, Birmingham.

Hammers boss full of praise for his team following 2-1 win

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes today's 2-1 victory over Millwall was one of the best of his career in management.

The Hammers played most of the game with 10 men after Kevin Nolan saw red after just eight minutes for a two footed lunge on Jack Smith.

Carlton Cole gave the Hammers a first half lead and although Liam Trotter equalised in the second half, Winston Reid replied to seal the three points and extend the east Londoners lead at the top of the Championship to five points.

And it was the manner of the win which most pleased Allardyce, who demanded a reaction following their humiliating 5-1 defeat at the hands of Ipswich.

"This is by far one of the best wins I have ever had in my entire in my career," the boss told Sky Sports after the game.

"To play a local derby and go down to 10 men after nine minutes then to perform way we performed was outstanding.

"It wasn't anything other than we deserved, we deserved to score more goals.

"There is a lot of character and a lot of belief that belief and ability came through in the end. It was a fantastic performance."

And Allardyce was far from happy with the decision to dismiss skipper Nolan.

"Of course there is (an argument not to send the player off). At the end of the day he is not going through the man with two feet," Allardyce said.

"He's not off the floor or out of control and he hasnt gone to ground. I think for me that's a poor decision. It looks harsh to me."