West Ham United defender Carl Jenkinson has admitted that he and his teammates had to fight hard for their 1-0 victory over Newcastle United.

The Hammers ended their three-game winless run in the Premier League on Saturday with a narrow triumph at Upton Park.

With a busy Christmas schedule on the horizon, Jenkinson believes that it was important for Sam Allardyce's side to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

"It's great, it was a really hard-fought victory and we needed it to be honest," he told the club's official website. "We needed to get back on track and needed three points, so it's a fantastic win and just what we needed right now.

"In games like this, it doesn't matter how you do it. It's fantastic that we've kept a clean sheet as well and we've scored a great goal, so a great day all round."

West Ham continue their Premier League campaign on Tuesday when they make the trip to West Bromwich Albion.