EXCLUSIVE: The Billy Bonds verdict

Exclusive

West Ham legend Bill Bonds – today speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – declared in his usual straightforward manner: “Sometimes you just have to put your hands up and say: “The best team won and deserved it.”

Bonzo watched with his family from the VIP boxes last night and was bitterly disappointed for the Hammers fans – “who deserved Wembley” – but said: “That was as good as Manchester United have played all season…shame they  had to save it for us.

“Fellaini was outstanding which we haven’t always been able to say and in the end every fair minded Hammer will agree that United probably deserved it on the night.

“We were fine for 20 minutes but then he and Michael Carrick got hold of the midfield and if I’m brutally honest there was a time when I thought it was going to be three or four against us. They really did ply ever so well.

“We came up against a team that really did play very well and I had the feeling from the start that the first goal was going to prove very important and when it came it was a belter.

“I’m really sorry for our fans – there was so much expectation being the final Cup gave under the lights with Wembley at stake.

“They are brilliant people and deserved that but it wasn’t to be. We have to move on and get over it – that’s what this game is often about

“Payet was unable to get on the ball as much as usual and thus our game suffered but we have a big big game on Sunday and we move on still looking at the top four where he could be the total difference of course.

“Let’s always remember this has been a great season and we have a very good team. The top four is still on as far as I’m concerned.”