Terry, born in nearby Barking, and team-mate Frank Lampard - an ex-West Ham player - were continually heckled by the home support at the weekend, with both insults and objects hurled in their direction.
However, Guus Hiddink's side had the last laugh following Saloman Kalou's winner and Petr Cech's penalty save.
And Terry says there should be nothing wrong with players responding to fans who direct either banter or vitriol at them from the terraces.
"When we scored, I went running over to Lamps and gave them a bit back," said Terry. "There's nothing wrong with that.
"The referee had a quiet word with me and said 'Don't wind them up'. But if they can give they can take it, and if I can take it I can give it. That's the way it's got to be.
"They have to expect a bit back. When they do get a bit back they all get the hump a little bit. But that is football. I'll take it the rest of my career and I'll certainly give a bit back in my career.
"As a player coming here, knowing you are going to get stick, I swear me and Lamps are so fired up before the game and determined.
"When you get that stick you just want to prove them wrong and shut them up. I think we did that. Walking home with three points and them walking home with nothing, you can't buy that."
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