West Ham boss Sam Allardyce believes missed chances were behind their draw at Birmingham, while Chris Hughton says it was a fair result.
Hammers boss unhappy with wasteful showing at Blues
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce believes missed chances were behind their draw at Birmingham, while Chris Hughton says it was a fair result.
Carlton Cole gave the Hammers an early lead and the goal looked like being the winner for most of the match before David Murphy equalised.
The visitors created the better of the chances at St Andrews and Allardyce was not happy his team failed to convert more of their opportunities.
Allardyce believes Boaz Myhill's fine first-half save to deny Cole was the game's turning point.
Wasteful
"It was all about us missing too many chances in the first half. That was our problem," said Allardyce.
"There is always going to be some pressure at some stage and generally we would have expected it at the beginning with Birmingham coming out of the traps.
"But it wasn't as we controlled the first half and created a lot of chances that went begging.
"You know that it is going to change at some stage and they did so by going direct when they sent on big (Nikola) Zigic.
"We only had to cope with a corner but unfortunately from a technical point of view my player has failed to drop on to the line and as a result we lost a goal and had to be content with a draw.
"There were also other disappointing features from the second half. Unfortunately we didn't capitalise upon what was a great first half performance.
"(Boaz) Myhill's marvellous save just before the half was a vital turning point and it came back to haunt us.
"Birmingham is a difficult place to come to at any time but I am disappointed we didn't win the game."
Spirit
Birmingham's spirit was acknowledged by manager Chris Hughton, who commented: "Over the 90 minutes it was a fair result. I was pleased with finished so strongly.
"It is very tough when you concede so early in a game particularly against a team as good as West Ham.
"We were indebted to Myhill's save just before half-time which kept us in the game.
"I still felt, even in the first half, when we were not at our best that we could still create opportunities and put them under the pressure.
"You can see why West Ham where they are. They certainly have quality, power and pace. They are a strong physical side which will win them points.
"If there was going to be a winner it would probably have been us but over the 90 minutes a draw was a fair result.
"Murphy also did well for us. He is in very good form and it was needed and he scored at just the right time."
