Fuming Moyes: ‘As bad as we’ve played’

Fuming David Moyes admits that West Ham played as badly as they have all season against Newcastle on Saturday.

The Hammers were held to a 1-1 draw by the Magpies, who were well-drilled and organised throughout the game.

Craig Dawson scored the opening goal with a free header from an Aaron Cresswell free-kick but the Hammers were pegged back by Joe Willock, who stole in to score at the back post after Declan Rice’s failed headed clearance fell to him.

It was a poor game of football, as neither goalkeeper really had to make a save in the second half, and the point will be a huge one for Newcastle as they aim to avoid relegation to the Championship.

The Irons, by comparison, could fall away in the top-four race after dropping points yet again and Moyes was left fuming with the performance across the 90 minutes.

Speaking after the game, he told BBC Sport: “I’m thrilled with a point. It might be as bad as we’ve played this season.

“I’ve had words with the players on other days. I didn’t think it was needed today. Our levels need to come back up. I think if we improve individually, we’ll improve as a team.

“I didn’t take anything else away from the game today. Intensity we’ve got and I don’t think physicality has been a problem. Our ball retention, turnovers, not playing as well with the ball as we have done, not being as clinical in small moments – those things would come to mind before the physical side of things.”