Manuel Pellegrini has hailed Saturday as a 'complete day' for West Ham United after the Club honoured legend Billy Bonds and defeated Newcastle United 2-0.
Academy graduate Declan Rice and captain Mark Noble struck in the first period at London Stadium to give the Irons a deserved win over the Magpies, while former skipper Bonds saw the East Stand renamed in his honour before the match.
Manager Pellegrini was thrilled with how his team performed against Newcastle and, when combined with the tributes to Bonds, the Chilean feels it was a perfect day for West Ham.
We were a solid team from the first minute until the end. We scored two goals and we won the points here at home, and we kept the clean-sheet.
Manuel Pellegrini
"I'm very happy because I think we played a good game," he said. "We were a solid team from the first minute until the end. We scored two goals and we won the points here at home, and we kept the clean-sheet.
"In the way we attacked and the way we tried to play as far from our own box as we can, that was pleasing. I think our individual performances were at a good level too, which is always important for the team.
"We tried to keep the ball, make good runs, and good movements. It was a complete day."
Pellegrini also praised Billy Bonds' legacy after the former player and manager was recognised ahead of kick-off, saying the four-time Hammer of the Year was fully deserving of the honour.
He continued: "Bonds was such an important player for this club. First of all, I think it was a very good idea to put his name on the East Stand. After that, with the team winning, you support all the celebrations of a player that deserved the support he received today."
Saturday's match also marked Manuel Lanzini's first start of the season after making his return from injury. The Newcastle clash was the Argentinian's first start in 293 days, and Pellegrini admitted he had not intended for the No10 to play the entire game.
However the boss was delighted with Lanzini's showing.
Pellegrini added: "I was talking with him about how he was feeling. In the first game he played around 18 minutes. Then in midfield he played 45 minutes. My initial idea was for him to play a maximum 60 minutes, perhaps 65 or 70 minutes, but he was always telling me that he was feeling good. It was a great performance."