WEST Ham defender James Tomkins scored the winner for the Hammers at West Brom on Tuesday night just hours after admitting his reaction to a push by Everton's Kevin Mirallas was wrong.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce described Tomkins' theatrical response in last month's loss to Everton as "silly" and the defender does not wish to repeat the embarrassing incident, which saw both players booked.

"As a player, I'm against what I did and I wouldn't have wanted it to happen to me," Basildon's Tomkins told the London Evening Standard.

"It happened quickly and I reacted but, thankfully, the player didn't get sent off which would have made it worse.

"He did catch my chin when he put his hands up but I wasn't best pleased with my reaction to be honest.

"I wouldn't want to do anything like that again. I've taken plenty of stick about it but it's behind me now.

"At the time I probably did want to get him sent off but, looking at it now, I shouldn't have done it."

Tomkins' personal run of form is mirroring that of the Hammers, who remain in fifth place in the table after Tuesday night's win at the Hawthorns.

The former Chalvedon School pupil headed in Stewart Downing's corner on the stroke of half time to put his side in front.

He had earlier been involved in the Hammers' equalising goal scored by Kevin Nolan which wiped out the Baggies early lead.

On defensive duty, Tomkins' 22 clearances were the most of any player in the Premier League this season.