Football
PA Sport 6y

Hart hails West Ham supporters for belief as Moyes earns first point

West Ham goalkeeper Joe Hart admits their 1-1 draw against Leicester was a step in the right direction under new manager David Moyes and credited supporters for sticking with the team.

The Hammers found themselves a goal down after eight minutes when Marc Allbrighton gave Leicester the lead.

But Cheikhou Kouyate levelled just before half-time as West Ham secured their first point under Moyes.

Hart credited the fans for getting behind the players and playing their part in a draw.

"I've got to say a big thanks to the fans,'' Hart told Sky Sports. "It could have gone two ways but they choose to stick with us.

"I was stood in goal and I didn't have too much to do in the second half. It would have been easy for them to hammer us but they were fantastic for us.

"When we have their support, we play differently and it means the world to the players. The quality will come.''

Hart felt his side were the better team in the second half, but was left frustrated as the winning goal never came their way.

"I can't knock the first half performance,'' Hart said. "It was an awful goal to concede and that put us on the back foot and Leicester were always able to counter-attack.

"We were well organised and we didn't give them many chances. It was a frustrating night for me but I'm happy for the team and I wish we had got three points.

"The manager has asked for quality and goals but first and foremost he wants us to perform, fight and be in shape and to be disciplined. We managed that tonight.

"Watford wasn't great and we lost 2-0 but we had some big chances to win this one.''

Moyes hopes his players can use the first point gained under his reign to go on a run that will see them climb the Premier League table and improve confidence.

"I think they are low in confidence because results haven't gone their way and they've lost their manager,'' Moyes told Sky Sports.

"When it's like that, it's difficult and you need some things to go for you every now and again.

"After losing a goal after eight minutes we stuck at it. In the second half, we had a real good go at it, maybe in the end we could have nicked it.

"It was a start for us tonight and it's not been the best place for us.

"I thought the performance merited more because we worked really hard.''

Leicester goalscorer Albrighton felt he should have been awarded a second-half penalty.

Albrighton's run into the box was ended by a challenge by Andre Ayew who told the Leicester scorer it was never a penalty. Albrighton disagreed.

"My initial thought was yes,'' Albrighton said.

"I spoke to him after and he said I got in front of him and put the brakes on which I don't recall doing.

"I personally thought it was a penalty, so I went down.''

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