‘It was not good enough’ was Declan Rice’s assessment of a 4-3 defeat by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Tomáš Souček put the Hammers ahead, although the Eagles roared back with three first-half goals through Jordan Ayew, Wilfried Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp, before Eberechi Eze’s second-half penalty put the hosts out of sight.
Four goals from Palace rendered Nayef Aguerd’s header late on meaningless, with Rice frustrated by defensive mishaps as a five-game unbeaten run ended via a seven-goal thriller in south London.
“It is four goals, which are avoidable,” Rice stated. “We were not good enough today. We put ourselves right in it and we couldn’t get back in it. We scored three goals, but it is not enough with where we are in the table.
“We needed to win that or at least get a point so to lose that – it really hurts. If you come away to a place like Palace, you can’t concede three goals [in the first half] because it gives you a mountain to climb. And you have a hard time winning matches when you concede that number of goals.”
Rice, who became just the sixth Hammer to reach 200 Premier League appearances, praised the Eagles’ midfield three, who worked tirelessly to limit West Ham’s chances from open play.
In truth, the Irons created little, although from corners they were excellent. Three goals from their first four corners put the Hammers in a position to take something from south London, although, as Rice explained a busy fixture list may have taken its toll as West Ham lacked the energy to push for an equaliser, despite their best efforts.
“It was not good enough today,” Rice stated. “Whether it has come down to the number of games we have played in such a short space of time, with a few players looking a bit tired.
“Credit to Palace they defended well and really stopped us [creating chances in open play]. The three in midfield worked really hard to stop me and Lucas [Paquetá] from getting on the ball.
“But conceding four goals away from home…it gives you a mountain to climb. It was a really tough one to take. We didn’t win enough duels and second balls. Their players were getting to the ball first and that can’t happen.
“But it is about staying focused and calm because conceding three goals in 15 minutes is so unlike us. It’s a real opportunity missed.”
Rice, and West Ham now turn their attention to our next two fixtures, as a busy fixture list sees the Irons face Manchester City and Manchester United in quick succession.
The skipper added: “We need to roll our socks up and go again. The schedule is frantic and non-stop, but it is about sticking together, especially with us still being in Europe.
“We have got Manchester City, which is going to be a tough test, and then Manchester United, which we are always up for with a big game at home. And hopefully, we can get something out of the next two.”
