West Ham United manager David Moyes was “really upset” that his side only got going after falling behind at Everton on Sunday.
Neal Maupay’s strike in the 53rd minute secured Everton victory and handed West Ham their fifth league defeat of the season, leaving the London club stuck in 18th place in the relegation zone.
“We didn’t play well. I have to say I don’t think Everton played well either,” Moyes told reporters.
“Do we deserve to win? no Do we deserve to lose? Probably.”
West Ham showed more urgency after Maupay’s goal, hitting the woodwork through substitute Said Benrahma, but Moyes said he was “really upset” they couldn’t improve their game sooner.
“It showed me that they had more to give, but after that they really improved a bit,” said Moyes.
“Obviously I understand Everton probably scored the goal and probably felt they had to try and protect it. They made it look like we were playing a little better that time, but I really didn’t think there was very much in the game.”
West Ham, who have just one win from seven league games, host 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers next on October 1.