Football
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West Ham beat Liverpool because they worked to a plan - Slaven Bilic

West Ham coach Slaven Bilic admitted his side "parked the bus" in their 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, but also paid tribute to their great defending.

Liverpool conceded the fastest goal of the season so far as Manuel Lanzini netted inside three minutes and Dejan Lovren's disastrous piece of defending allowed Mark Noble to score soon after.

Diafra Sakho made it 3-0 in added time after both Philippe Coutinho and Noble had been sent off, but Bilic insisted his side had played to their plan brilliantly.

"We played good, we started well. We were well organised, and had a plan," he told BBC Sport. "The players worked to the plan perfectly. Their movement, concentration and possession was top level.

"We parked the bus but we didn't put the handbrake on. It was simply great defending when we didn't have the ball."

Even a harshly-awarded red card for Noble could not take the shine off the day.

"It is three points but it is one of those games which, for the fans especially, it is more than three points,'' said the Croatian. "Fifty-two years without winning here at a special stadium and we did it in style, we didn't nick it.

"It was a great performance in 90 percent aspects of the modern game, so it is more than three points.

"It is great for everyone. It is one of those games that will be written in the history books of our club - you can't ask for more than winning 3-0 away at Liverpool.''

Bilic did not agree with referee Kevin Friend's decision to dismiss Noble and said the club will appeal.

"I watched it after and for me the very simple answer is not a red card, nowhere near a red card,'' he added,

"I am very hopeful and I think we should win it (the appeal). For the Adrian (his goalkeeper was sent off second game of the season) one I said 'unlucky' but this one, with the greatest respect to the officials, it is not a red card.''

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