Brighton & Hove Albion moved up to 11th position in the Premier League after a 1-0 win at home to Wolves on Saturday.
Chris Hughton was overjoyed with the result and acknowledged just how hard his team had to work to take all three points.
”I am delighted, we had to really earn it against a very good side,” the Seagulls manager told the BBC.
“They threatened a lot and we had to defend really well. It was hard-earned.’’
The former Irish international believes there is far more to come from his team and that their relative success so far has been based on defensive solidity.
“We are not playing at our best, nowhere near. We have players who are not at their level, we are not good on the ball but we are defending really well.”
Hughton praised Brighton’s veteran striker Glenn Murray, who netted the only goal of the game, with what was his 100th goal for Brighton.
“Glenn Murray is a poacher. When the ball comes his way you are confident it will end up in the net. He has a great desire to keep on playing.
“Wolves will have a good season. We are realists, we know how tough this competition is. But we are in a confident mood.”
Brighton travel to Merseyside to take on Everton in the Premier League next Saturday, where they will be hoping to take another big scalp.