Bilic - We wanted three points

Slaven Bilic admitted a single point was not what he was looking for after his West Ham United team drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough on Saturday.
 
After four Premier League defeats in a row, the visitors threatened to extend that run when Cristhian Stuani headed them in front early in the second half.
 
But Dimitri Payet responded with an individual goal of the highest quality to ensure the points were shared – a conclusion which left the boss with mixed feelings.
 
“OK, we have stopped the losing streak with a point, but of course we were looking for three points,” he stated.
 
“To be fair the guys showed character, they showed the spirit and they showed quality. That’s what I asked, what I demanded from them, and they did it.
 
“It was not enough to win the game – at the moment we are not playing great football in terms of creating lots of chances, but it was a game where we had to fight and work hard.

“Although we are not happy with the result, there were a lot of positives about our performance.”
 
Of Payet’s 57th minute solo effort, Bilic says it was the kind of moment which can lift the entire team.
 
He continued: “It was an unbelievable goal, and it’s only a shame that it was not a winning goal. The response from the whole team, and especially from him with his goal, was good.
 
“It was positive, and that’s one of the things that we have to take out of this game. We were looking for three points, and we’re not happy with a draw at home, with the greatest respect for Middlesbrough, but we got a point and every point in the Premier League can be crucial.
 
“The goal stands out. First of all it was a goal that brought us back in the game and second the way he scored the goal is quite amazing.
 
“In this situation you need that moment of class from the best players to lift the whole team up. That’s why they are the best players.”
 
One negative from the afternoon was an injury suffered by Sam Byram, which forced the defender off inside the first seven minutes.
 
Bilic added: “Sam is a brilliant lad. He’s a great player, a young prospect with great talent. He didn’t even kick the ball, he didn’t stretch – it was like a header.
 
“It’s a hamstring injury and it’s a shame that it happened to him at the start of the game when he had a chance. But he will be back.”