'Flat' Hammers failed to launch in draw with Palace, admits Moyes

David Moyes admitted his West Ham side were “a bit flat” during their 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace last night.

The Hammers boss watched as Sebastien Haller netted a superb overhead kick to level the scores, with Christian Benteke putting the Eagles a goal up in the first half. However, with the visitors down to ten men for the last 20 minutes following Benteke’s subsequent sending off, West Ham were unable to take advantage for a winner.

Nevertheless, the east Londoners remain seventh in the Premier League, with Moyes insisting that the first half was largely drab from his perspective on a night when new COVID-19 restrictions ensured not even the backing of a limited 2,000 supporters at the London Stadium.

“We looked a bit flat all round, maybe because when we played Leeds, as people might know we didn't get the flight back,” said Moyes. “We had to drive back because of the fog and just maybe a lot of those things caught up with us.

“We've had struggles with them (Palace) recently and games have been tough against them. We didn't play well in the first half but we improved a bit in the second half and scored a good goal.

“We've picked up two or three niggles in training - Jarrod Bowen twisted his ankle, Fabian had a little groin strain and Aaron Cresswell was nursing a hip injury so we've had two or three injuries behind the scenes. It's no excuse for the performance, maybe it's a part of a reason for it."

For all that, Moyes, naturally, reserved special tribute to scorer Haller. The £45m Ivory Coast international enjoyed his moment - a seventh goal in 15 outings this season for West Ham.

“Seb has got that technique,” the Scot explained. “He has the ability to get his legs up, he's athletic and I loved the goal. I'd have liked him to get a tap in in the first half when the goalie parried one out, when nobody was on it to get the rebound!”