Source: Team_Talk
Grant 'very happy' despite defeat
Avram Grant insisted he was "very happy" with West Ham's performance despite seeing them crash to a 3-1 defeat at home to bogey team Bolton.[LNB] The Hammers, beaten 3-0 at Aston Villa last week, now head into Premier League fixtures against Manchester United and Chelsea rooted in the bottom three without a single point.[LNB]Bolton weathered a first-half storm - including a missed penalty from Hammers striker Carlton Cole - before snatching the lead with a Matthew Upson own goal.[LNB]Johan Elmander wrapped up the points with strikes either side of a Mark Noble penalty as Bolton extended their winning run over West Ham to seven matches.[LNB]West Ham were booed from the field and they could conceivably head into the game against Stoke on September 18 without a point on the board.[LNB]Hammers manager Grant said: "We have a very tough two games. If you saw the spirit today after the game last week, this team this season is not going to give up.[LNB]"I am happy how players responded. The defence was good, we pushed forward, we played high, we created a lot of chances.[LNB]"On the football side everything went well. We played like a team at the top. I am very happy with the performance, I am very disappointed with the result.[LNB]"It was a strange game."[LNB]Grant insisted Upson was pushed by striker Kevin Davies in the process of scoring the own goal that gave Bolton the upper hand.[LNB]Upson seemed to stoop to head the ball past Robert Green - and in the process he received a boot in the face from Davies and had to go off.[LNB]"There was a clear foul on the first goal. We know they play direct ball - Matthew was in the right place, he was before Davies who pushed him. The referee needs to be more awake," said Grant.[LNB]"He smashed his face. He cannot have an x-ray now."[LNB]Bolton manager Owen Coyle conceded that on another day West Ham could have been in charge at half-time.[LNB]But Coyle revealed his side's recent dominance over the Hammers played a big part in reinforcing their belief that another Upton Park win was there for the taking.[LNB]"I wish it was a two-team league," joked Coyle.[LNB]"Sometimes as a player there are teams you are suited to play against. We were aware of that and we had a belief we could win the game.[LNB]"We did it last year and I think we have improved since then.[LNB]"We were in charge for the first 10-15 minutes but after that West Ham really got at us. Jussi Jaaskelainen had to be in top form which he was, he made some terrific saves.[LNB]"We had to get them in at half-time to regroup, we had one or two things to say. In the second half we really showed our quality. We scored two very good goals.[LNB]"At 2-0 when we looked so comfortable we had to withstand some pressure after the referee awarded a second penalty, which I think we all agree wasn't a penalty.[LNB]"The lads showed great character and scored again. It was hard work - it was a terrific game end to end - and I am delighted with the three points."[LNB]Elmander has only scored 10 goals in 57 appearances for Bolton but Coyle said: "I am a great believer in Elmander. Last week I said if he kept giving that level of performance the goals would go in.[LNB]"He will take confidence from that today. He is a great lad and a very good player but only Johan can determine that when he crosses the white line.[LNB]"I thought him and Kevin were a real handful for West Ham today."
