Jake Bidwell said Brentford deserved their 3-2 Sky Bet Championship win against Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Bees took the win, their third in four league games, thanks to goals from Moses Odubajo, Andre Gray and Jonathan Douglas.
Jake said he knew it would be a game between two sides that like to play “the right way”.
He said The Bees were better on the day.
“It was a proper football match, both teams wanted to play the right way,” said the left back, speaking to Bees Player after the match.
“That hasn’t been the case in some of our games this season.
“Spectators probably really enjoyed the game and especially if you are a Brentford fan, getting the three points.
“We knew it would be a tough game and we knew the threats they would pose.
“They are a good footballing side.
“We were better on the day and deserved three points.”
Jake said Brighton had the better of the opening stages but Brentford had to ride it out.
The Bees did just that and then scored through Odubajo.
Gray added a second soon after when Jake got forward and delivered a cross during a spell of superb football.
Jake said even he liked to watch some of Brentford’s attacking play.
“It was a slow start, we have to put that right,” he said.
“There will always be a spell, especially against a good team like Brighton, where you will be under the cosh a little bit.
“For us it was the first ten to 15 minutes.
“It is important to ride it out and stay in the game.
“We managed to do that and went up the other end and scored a couple of goals.
“Sometimes it is a joy to watch us from the back.
“Often we are not a part of it; we are like spectators admiring it.”
Jake also played a key part in the third goal.
He kept an Alex Pritchard pass in play, exchanged passes with Jota and delivered for Douglas to head what proved to be the winner.
“I didn’t get forward too much in the game,” said Jake.
“I am delighted to help out at that end.
“I work hard on that in training, the more hours you put in, the more you get out of it.
“On a day like today, everything goes right.
“The two balls I put in were key.
“I like to get forward when I can and it paid off today.”
Jake said that third goal – just after half time – was a key moment.
Brighton had pulled a goal back just before the break and scored again in the second half to reduce the arrears to 3-2.
But Brentford held firm.
“Apart from the first 15 minutes it was a good first half performance,” said Jake.
“The goal put a dampener on it.
“We knew the next goal would be important and we got it.
“They came back but we held on.
“We were value for the three points.
“We like to play but we have resilience and we will need that this season.
“We showed that in the last 15 minutes today.”
Full post-match reaction from Jake Bidwell is available here for Bees Player subscribers.