West Ham vs Hull: Slaven Bilic happy to win ugly and give Hammers breathing space from the relegation zone

Bilic accepts West Ham were lucky not to concede while Hull were on top in the first half but saw hiw changes click his side into gear after the break

Slaven Bilic gestures on the touchline during West Ham's 1-0 win over Hull (Getty)

Slaven Bilic admitted West Ham got lucky as they eased their relegation fears against Hull.

Mark Noble's contentious penalty ensured West Ham won back to back home games in a week to move into mid-table.

But Hull hit the post on three occasions and Bilic, the West Ham manager, said: "For a long period of the game they deserved something. I changed the system and it was much better in the second half.

"It wasn't good enough. I waited until half time to make changes. We needed that as we weren't good. The last 30 minutes we stepped up a gear, had a good balance and won more second balls.

"We were rewarded with the penalty. I would like and love us to have played better but we knew these two games were all about results. They were demanding, mentally, but it's six points.

"I don't feel gutted for them. They missed chances and had the wonder strike from Robertson. If they continue playing like this the results have to come.

"Our position is a lot better than a week ago. I didn't see the penalty but I heard it was a soft one."

Bilic praised skipper Noble for stepping up just days after missing his penalty against Burnley.

"His record is great," he added.

"He scored but missed the penalty in midweek but you have to have courage to take the responsibility and he did it and showed it why he is the skipper. He showed great character and leadership."

Noble converts from the penalty spot after Michail Antonio was fouled by Tom Huddlestone (Getty)

Hull drop to the bottom after their seventh successive away defeat.

Manager Mike Phelan said: "We had more than enough chances to win a few football matches.

"That's the nature of the industry, sometimes good performances don't give you the result you want.

“I’m not going to talk about the penalty as a few weeks ago I was defending referees and I still do, it’s a hard job.

West Ham have now taken seven points from their last three matches to lift themselves up the table (Getty)

"I wouldn't say the penalty cost us the game as we should have been out of sight before then.

"Everything that could have happened against a football team happened to us. We probably won’t see anything like that again this season.

"Performances like that should at some point merit results. But we've been in the game long enough to know that when opportunities come along like that you have to be ruthless."