Pellegrini: We want to play every game as if it's a final

Goals for Sebastien Haller and Andriy Yarmolenko ensured a 2-0 victory over Norwich City at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: “I think the personality, attitude and mentality to play as a big team starts when you score one goal and you don’t just defend your goal for the next 80 minutes.”

“Our full backs are always attacking. We try to be a complete team and defend all of the players in the correct positions when we’ve not got the ball but when we want to play, we go forward to score goals.”

“Our technical players try to make as few passes as we can. We must have a winning mentality and think they can always do better.”

The Hammers first home victory of the season sees them ending the day in 5th place with two wins, one draw and a loss.

Pellegrini said: “At this moment we are in a European spot, why can’t we continue working in the same way? Of course, we are going to win, we are also going to lose and draw. But when you lose the game its because the other team has played better than you.”

“I said in pre-season that we need to improve our defending. We conceded way too many goals last season, I don’t remember the exact amount 56 or 57, the other season was 69 so you cannot just score two or three goals a game to win.”

“We must keep our mentality. It is a matter of working to play every game well, as a final. Like you’re at the of the season and need the points. These are the games you must believe from the beginning that you can go and give a good account.”

Haller’s first-half goal was his third of the season and the second time he was on the score sheet for consecutive league matches.

Pellegrini said: “Sebastien is not just a striker; you saw his performance today. He is always working and supports the ball.”

“But a striker always needs to score goals and for him to score today was good for him and important. He is starting in a new league but every game he will keep improving.”

Yarmolenko scored his first goal after 10 months out, the winger struggled with injury throughout last season.

Pellegrini said: “Andriy is a player who scored lots of goal in his career. I’m happy for him because he deserves the happiness after his long injury. He never complained, he worked hard and he recovered.”

Pellegrini addressed transfer rumours surrounding Javier Hernandez and explained “Javier was not in the squad because he is coming back from injury, he just trained today with the squad.”

When asked if he will still be a West Ham player once the international transfer markets close, he said: “I expect that the situation will be the best for the player and for the club.”

West Ham will hope to continue their winning form in the league once they take on Aston Villa after the international break.