West Ham boss Alan Pardew is delighted to have guided his team into the UEFA Cup after yesterday's FA Cup semifinal win over Middlesbrough.
Pardew, who won promotion via the play-offs with West Ham last season and has consolidated a mid-table place in the Premiership, said: "To get in a position of European football is a fantastic achievement. We didn't get into a rhythm in the first half but in the second half we got ourselves together.
"We played our own game, upped the tempo and got our reward.
"It was a great goal. I was delighted for Marlon in particular, he really has improved. To finish on his wrong side as he did, it was a great finish."
Pardew is now looking forward to having a real crack at Liverpool in the final. With the Anfield club already having qualified for the Champions League it means West Ham are certain of a spot in the UEFA Cup next season.
Added Pardew: "We're up against a blue riband side, one who were European champions last year. But we've earned the right to be here. It's a daunting challenge. We've won the prize of a cup final and we're going to give it a real go.
"We just edged it over 90 minutes today and it will be nice to see European football back at Upton Park. Maybe it was our destiny with Ron Greenwood and John Lyall having died recently."
And he recalled his less romantic days as a player in the cup for non-league sides.
"As somebody who has played in the first qualifying round, I know what this cup is about, dodgy referees and 20 people on the sidelines. But today was fantastic. I am delighted. For sure my best day in football."
Pardew, who won promotion via the play-offs with West Ham last season and has consolidated a mid-table place in the Premiership, said: "To get in a position of European football is a fantastic achievement. We didn't get into a rhythm in the first half but in the second half we got ourselves together.
"We played our own game, upped the tempo and got our reward.
"It was a great goal. I was delighted for Marlon in particular, he really has improved. To finish on his wrong side as he did, it was a great finish."
Pardew is now looking forward to having a real crack at Liverpool in the final. With the Anfield club already having qualified for the Champions League it means West Ham are certain of a spot in the UEFA Cup next season.
Added Pardew: "We're up against a blue riband side, one who were European champions last year. But we've earned the right to be here. It's a daunting challenge. We've won the prize of a cup final and we're going to give it a real go.
"We just edged it over 90 minutes today and it will be nice to see European football back at Upton Park. Maybe it was our destiny with Ron Greenwood and John Lyall having died recently."
And he recalled his less romantic days as a player in the cup for non-league sides.
"As somebody who has played in the first qualifying round, I know what this cup is about, dodgy referees and 20 people on the sidelines. But today was fantastic. I am delighted. For sure my best day in football."
