The Trotters had collected just four points from their opening six Premier League matches but got back to winning ways at Upton Park on Sunday.

Kevin Davies and Gary Cahill pounced on errors by Robert Green to score in the first half and Matt Taylor made sure of the win with a fierce free-kick after Carlton Cole pulled one back.

O'Brien told Sky Sports: "We knew our away from had to improve and we have closed the gap. This is a great result for us.

"We knew had to come here and work hard. We have felt disappointed with results but have played quite well. Today we put in a good performance and got the right result."

Taylor, who struck four minutes from time after coming off the bench, felt victory was no more than they deserved.

"The aim was to hang on to the victory. We deserved to be in front and they got a soft goal," he said.

"It is a fantastic three points and moves us slightly up the table. Any three points away from the Reebok are welcome."