West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has called on his charges to emulate fellow Premier League outfit Southampton in stringing together a winning run and climbing up the table.
The Hammers are now seventh in the league after an emphatic 3-0 win against Hull City on Sunday afternoon, despite a goalless first half.
Allardyce told BBC Sport: "There were two things in the first half: there was fatigue from Tuesday night and we weren't functioning well in that system. So we went back to a diamond and we started to expose Hull City's defence.
"The first goal going in quickly after half time really settled us. The quality of the next two finishes is what we've been looking for.
"We've only lost two games over the Christmas period - one was Arsenal and the other one was Chelsea. I'm hoping we can kick on like Southampton have done because they've put themselves back up there with an outstanding run of wins."
West Ham visit Bristol City in the FA Cup next weekend before resuming Premier League duties away at Liverpool on January 31.
Giuseppe Labellarte
