Bilic sings Antonio’s praises
The manager doesn’t usually do relief…he’s too laid back for that but that was the over-riding emotion after a win based on hard graft over Bournemouth .
He said:: “It was never going to be a pass, pass, pass game – we were missing four out of six players who do the creative things.
But we were great in terms of aggression and team spirit. We created a few chances and I only expected a few but we got what we deserved in the end.
“Antonio is a really versatile player and puts everything in. H’s is also of course a very good player and was at the far post for his header. I think six or seven of his goals came from headers last season.”
Slav admitted it was a real relief to get the result after getting nothing from the Chelsea game and said: “To now be on three points ahead of the Manchester City game is great.
“It was the first game at the new stadium and had we not won there would have been a snowball effect with people asking questions about the new stadium and all that.
“We have a few out but Payet and Lanzine may be back for Thursday and if not for Sunday. Andy Carroll could be a few weeks.”