Assistant manager Neil McDonald believes West Ham United were unfortunate to leave Manchester City with nothing on Saturday.
The Hammers travelled to the Etihad Stadium to face Roberto Mancini's men and gave a good account of themselves, only to be undone by world-class goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
Andy Carroll was rewarded for another good all-round performance with a last-gasp goal, but it was not quite enough to avert a 2-1 Barclays Premier League defeat.
"It was a narrow defeat," said Macca. "We were really disappointed with our possession in the first half but I thought we can out in the second half, with instructions from the manager, and played how we wanted to play.
"We really dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half and gave ourselves an opportunity to get back into it. We created chances and then Toure went and popped it into the top corner from 25 yards.
"All credit to the boys because they kept the ball a lot better in the second half and moved it on a bit more and got it into the box. We got crosses into the box and did it well in the second half.
"They went right to the final whistle and we got our just rewards, really. We're slightly disappointed that we lost the game, but there were a few positives, particularly that the second half was a lot better than the first half was."
City's goals are both likely to feature in any April Goal of the Month montage.
The first, midway through the opening half, saw Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure combine twice before the France international cut the ball back for Sergio Aguero to convert from close-range.
The second, seven minutes from full-time, saw Toure collect 25 yards out before turning and unleashing a Gareth Bale-esque rocket into the top left-hand corner.
"They were super goals, of course. The individual talent leads to the end product, whether it is a good ball or a finish into the back of the net. They were top-class goals and that is why they finished top of the league last year.
"I think we acquitted ourselves really well even if we were slightly disappointed with our first half. The second half was much better and we'll be looking to play like that for the rest of the season."
Carroll's goal was his seventh of the season and his sixth in ten appearances.
"Andy has got his reward for going to the end but, especially with them scoring their second in the top corner, it's a shame because otherwise his goal might have just got snatched us a draw," lamented Macca.
"The attitude of the players not giving in and the attitude of them in the second half to do what the manager had told them were pleasing.
"Every credit to them but we have lost the game. We were on a bit of a run but that's gone now, so we need to make sure we get back on it during the last two or three games and finish on a high."