West Ham United beat Hull City 1-0 at the London Stadium last weekend.
Michail Antonio has told West Ham United’s official website that Slaven Bilic told him to go and cause damage, before moving him up-front against Hull City last weekend.
West Ham had struggled to break down the Tigers in the first-half of the contest last Saturday, and the two teams went into the break with the scores locked at 0-0.
Bilic decided to change formation at half-time – with Antonio moving to partner Andy Carroll up-top.
And the change had the desired impact, as Antonio earned the penalty which led to West Ham’s winner.
“At half time the manager told me to go out there, drive at them and use my pace,” the former Nottingham Forest man said. “He put me up there in a two up-front and he asked me to cause some damage. That’s what I did in the second half.
“For the penalty the ball was in the air, I out-strengthed Huddlestone. I took a touch to swing and hit but he’s held my leg. Some people will say it’s light, but I believe it was a penalty.”
West Ham were rather fortunate to beat Hull, but they have now collected seven points from the last nine available to them to move away from trouble.
The Hammers are up to 13th place in the Premier League table – five points above the drop zone.
The Hammers are next in action on Boxing Day, when they take on struggling Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
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