Jose Fonte has expressed his disappointment at leaving Turf Moor with just a point after a 1-1 draw with Burnley, but was pleased with the fighting spirit West Ham United showed throughout the contest.
It took a late Chris Wood header to break down a resolute West Ham side who had taken the lead in the 19th minute through Michail Antonio and played with ten men for the majority of the contest, after losing Andy Carroll to a red card in the first half.
Fonte, who put in a strong performance in the back line, is naturally frustrated that he and his teammates could not hold on for all three points but is happy with the defensive nous the Irons displayed in the contest.
“Obviously, we’re not happy but we have to take into consideration how long we played with ten men,” Fonte told whufc.com: “It’s one point. It’s one more point, which is better than none, but we are disappointed because we felt comfortable and we were defending well. But Burnley kept coming and they kept crossing, and in the end, they got a good ball in and they got their goal.
We have to be happy with the fighting spirit and the steel that we showed. We move on and now we have to beat Brighton at home
Jose Fonte
“We still managed to get one or two good chances to kill the game or to at least to give us a more comfortable lead, but we have to be happy with the fighting spirit and the steel that we showed. We move on and now we have to beat Brighton at home.”
Manager Slaven Bilic named what appeared to be an attacking line-up with the likes of Chicharito, Carroll, Marko Arnautovic, Antonio and Manuel Lanzini all starting.
Fonte admits the starting XI may have looked like a mainly offensive side but insists each player knew about their defensive responsibilities as well.
The Portuguese international added: "The team looked attacking and we have great attacking players going forward, but we also know that in this division we have to do the job defensively as well. As long as we do that we will be okay.
“Maybe some will look at it as an attacking line-up but everyone has to run and everyone has to defend.”
The defender also gave his praise for goal-scorer Antonio, who netted his first finish of the season in the draw with the Clarets.
“We all know what Michail offers. He’s a powerful boy and he gives us a dimension of energy and physicality. I’m not surprised he scored. He creates problems for defenders. It’s good to have him in the team.”
Fonte added his views on Carroll’s dismissal after two quick yellow cards in the 25th and 27th minutes.
The defender believes his teammate was unlucky to be sent off and is hoping for more fortune when the Hammers return to action against Brighton on Friday.
Fonte added: "The first yellow card looked a bit rash to me. The second one is perhaps a yellow but the first is a bit soft, in my opinion.
"We know Andy is a physical player and this is the Premier League. Burnley had two big strikers playing as well and we had to fight with them. It was the same for both sides but, to be honest with you, it didn’t go our way.
“There were many, many fouls given that perhaps weren’t fouls. But we have to take it on the chin today and perhaps in the next game we will have a bit more luck. We will take the point and the positives.”