Cape Town - West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini says his side's 3-1 win over Everton on Sunday was the best birthday present he could have wished for.

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The Irons were desperate for a victory against the Toffees, after losing four consecutive Premier League games to kick off their campaign, and managed to pull it off at Goodison Park on Pellegrini's 65th birthday.

The Chilean tactician was delighted with the way his players responded to the challenge and insists he believes in what they are trying to build at the Hammers.

New West Ham signing Andriy Yarmolenko bagged a brace for the visitors, while Marko Arnautovic also found the back of the net.

"I was not worried about my birthday today - I just wanted to win the game - it was the best gift my players could give me," he told the press.

"We believe in what we are doing and we are not going to change. I said last time after we lost I will accept advice but I was not going to change what we are doing."