West Ham lost 4-2 at home to Watford this afternoon.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has told BBC Sport that he did learn something about his team today – but won’t share in public.
The Hammers were looking for a second consecutive Premier League win at the London Stadium as they took on Watford, and looked to be on their way to a comfortable win in the first half.
Two Michail Antonio headers from two Dimitri Payet crosses – the latter of which was a sensational rabona – had West Ham cruising at 2-0 up, but they collapsed defensively.
West Ham United’s Michail Antonio celebrates scoring
Odion Ighalo pulled the Hornets back into the game, and a defensive mix-up between James Collins and goalkeeper Adrian allowed Troy Deeney to level the scores before half time.
Etienne Capoue and Jose Holebas added goals in the second half to make it 4-2, and hand new Watford manager Walter Mazzarri his first win in the Premier League.
Watford’s Troy Deeney celebrates scoring with Etienne Capoue and Younes Kaboul
West Ham fans were left stunned at how their side folded to hand Watford a thumping win, and the mood inside the stadium certainly turned sour as the Hammers fell apart at the back.
After the game, manager Slaven Bilic described his feelings to Sky Sports, stating that his two emotions were anger and disappointment, noting that West Ham were on top thanks to Antonio’s pace out wide, but the final five minutes of the first half changed the game.
“We are disappointed and angry,” said Bilic after the match. “It started so well for us. For 40 minutes in the first half we were on top of the game, pressing, getting second balls, chances, hurting them behind their defence through the pace of Antonio.”
West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet and Jonathan Calleri look dejected
“It was great, we scored two goals and created more chances – they also had chances in the beginning – but after we scored the second goal it was all us. They did not put us under any pressure and then the last five minutes of the first half changed the game a lot.”
Bilic was also asked by BBC Sport whether he learned anything about his side today, and whilst the Croatian said he did, he wouldn’t share his thoughts in public, suggesting some players could be in for a private conversation with the Hammers boss.
“Yeah, a little bit,” said Bilic when asked if he’d learned anything new about his players. “But I’m not going to say it openly, of course,” he added.
What did you think of West Ham’s performance against Watford?
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