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Slaven Bilic left with mixed emotions after West Ham draw at Watford

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Slaven Bilic, Manager of West Ham United gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Watford and We
Image: Slaven Bilic aggieved West Ham were not awarded a penalty at Vicarage Road

Slaven Bilic was left with "mixed emotions" after West Ham came from behind to rescue a 1-1 draw at Watford.

The Hammers boss saw his side fall behind to a Troy Deeney penalty after only three minutes, but Andre Ayew climbed off the bench to snatch a point.

In an eventful encounter, Bilic was infuriated that West Ham were not awarded a second-half spot-kick for an almost identical incident to the one which gave Watford the lead.

They also had to hold out for the final five minutes with 10 men after Michail Antonio was sent off after collecting a second yellow card for handball.

"I'm so pleased with the way we played, especially in the second half, but I'm not happy with the way we started the game, so it's mixed emotions," said Bilic.

"We reacted good in the first half, and the second half was one of our best performances and we definitely deserved the point. In my point of view we deserved to win."

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Highlights | Watford 1-1 West Ham

Mauro Zarate had an immediate impact against his former side after he was sent sprawling to the turf by Cheikhou Kouyate, with Deeney doing the honours from the spot.

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Bilic was fined for throwing a television microphone in frustration after West Ham conceded a late equaliser against West Brom last time out.

So perhaps sensibly, the TV company did not leave any in his vicinity at Vicarage Road as in the second half the Croatian was furious when Kouyate was wrestled to the ground by M'Baye Niang in the area, only for referee Craig Pawson to wave play on.

Andre Ayew celebrates after scoring West Ham's equaliser
Image: Andre Ayew celebrates after scoring West Ham's equaliser

But Bilic added: "I spoke with the ref after the game and there are no hard feelings.

"If I was Watford manager I would say there's was a penalty. As West Ham manager I say he went down easily. But we are both right. And the second one was very similar."

The leveller arrived in bizarre fashion in the 73rd minute when Antonio's shot clipped the near post, rolled along the goal-line and back out off the far post.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25: Michail Antonio of West Ham United is shown a red card during the Premier League match between Watford and West Ham United
Image: Michail Antonio was dismissed for two bookable offences

Fortunately for the Hammers record signing Ayew was lurking and side-footed in his second goal for the club.

Antonio, who had been booked in the first half, blotted his copybook by deliberately handling the ball after he had been tackled to be shown a second yellow card.

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