Noble cause for all

Mark Noble has hailed the collective spirit that inspired West Ham United to a precious point at West Bromwich Albion.

The midfielder had a hand in all three goals as the Hammers roared out of the blocks after half-time, following a disappointing first half that had seen three goals against. Noble said quite a few things were said during the interval, with the determination apparent in all.

"It was a bit of everyone, really, not just the staff, because everyone was so disappointed. Emotions were running high. It isn't the most ideal result for us, but I'm sure we can pull out a lot of positives from our performance in the second half and go into the next game against Burnley with some confidence.

"It was a good second half, but we can't start the way we did. It wasn't good enough and we got punished. Credit to the lads, though, because things were said at half-time and we showed a bit of pride and didn't let the away fans who travelled up there down."

Noble said the West Brom experience was a wake-up call to the whole team. "That's what happens in this league, because no matter where you are in the table, there are quality players out there.

"With their manager going and a new manager coming in, everyone obviously wanted to impress and keep their place in the team and that obviously showed in the first half. In the second half, though, as soon as we got that first goal we sensed that they were on the back foot and we could really push on.

"We had a few really good chances and were gutted to not come away with the win in the end."