Sam Allardyce said The FA Cup Third Round victory against Everton was one of the most thrilling games he has experienced for many years.
West Ham booked their place in the Fourth Round after a 9-8 sudden-death penalty shoot-out victory, with goalkeeper Adrian scoring the winning goal spot-kick.
And in a game that also had four goals and a sending off during the 120 minutes of frenetic Cup football, Allardyce could not hide his delight at coming away victorious.
West Ham 2-2 Everton
(AET; 9-8 pens)
The FA Cup
Third Round Replay
Tuesday 13 January 2015
Boleyn Stadium, West Ham United
Winners receive £67,500 from prize fund
"The highs and lows in one particular game," he said.
"It has been a long time since I experienced such highs and lows in one match.
"Such excitement. It was end to end from the first whistle - nothing like a Premier League game."
Enner Valencia had put the hosts in front before Aiden McGeady was sent off in the 56th minute.
The Toffees got back into the game through a wonderfully-struck Kevin Mirallas free-kick.
Mirallas then set up Romelu Lukaku in extra-time to put Roberto Martinez's side ahead, only for the Hammers' Carlton Cole to poke home with his first touch and take the tie to penalties.
Adrian celebrates after his winning strike
Despite the two ties failing to find a victor in 210 minutes, Allardyce insisted it was not for the want of trying.
"Both teams went out and played and tried to win it," he added. "In the end we got what we deserved, there is no doubt about that.
"Unfortunately we missed too many chances, their goalkeeper made some fantastic saves.
"We had 23, 24 attempts. We missed and fluffed a few and had to rely on penalties in the end to win it."
He added: "Everton have been a bit of a bogey team for us and when Stewart Downing missed it I thought 'here we go again'.
"But Adrian saved one brilliantly and took the last one, he was calm. He was determined and it was a victory we deserved over the two legs."
“The players showed the right manner and concentration and we didn't for a minute look like team with a man down”
Roberto Martinez Everton manager
Martinez, meanwhile, said that despite the disappointment of missing out he was proud of the effort his side showed in testing circumstances.
"We had to deal with the worst role in the game - going down to 10 men for over an hour," said Martinez.
"I'm extremely satisfied with the manner of coping with that.
"The players showed the right manner and concentration and we didn't for a minute look like team with a man down.
"We showed a very good, strong mentality. It is just disappointing."
West Ham now face a trip to Bristol City in the FA Cup Fourth Round. The tie will take place at 2pm on Sunday 25 January.
