Report West Ham 1 United 0

Sir Alex defiant after loss

Sir Alex Ferguson felt United were unlucky to slip to their second Premiership defeat of the season against West Ham at Upton Park.

Nigel Reo-Coker's late strike, coupled with Chelsea's win over Everton, cut United's lead the at the top of the Premiership to just two points.

The Gaffer, however, was keen to remain calm on what he freely admitted was 'not a great day' for the Reds' title hopes, after watching his side miss a series of chances to beat the Hammers.

"We played some fantastic football but I think our finishing could have been better," he told Sky Sports.

"We had some great opportunities but maybe our decision making and patience let us down. But I'm happy with the performance, we didn't deserve to lose.

"We didn't deserve it but these things happen in football. We just have to gather ourselves and start on another charge."

Sir Alex admitted the appointment of Alan Curbishley as Hammers boss earlier this week was a decisive factor in the hosts' improved performance against United.

"I think we've come here at a time when there's an upsurge in enthusiasm, energy and optimism," he opined. "The fans were great and got behind them.

"That's what happens when they lose the manager and a new manager comes, you can expect an impact to be made."

Chelsea scored twice in the final 10 minutes at Goodison Park to take the spoils in Sunday's early kick-off, but Sir Alex is still confident of reclaiming the title despite the day's setback.

"I'm not so sure they (Chelsea) are on a charge, but it was an important result for them," he said. "Obviously two fantastic strikes from Lampard and Drogba won the game for them, but it's a game they've clawed out of nothing.

"We're two points clear. It's not been a great day for us in the sense that we dropped three points and they've come from behind, which is a bit of luck for them in that situation. The championship race was not going to be decided in December anyway.

"But we've got to show our mettle, that's the hallmark of champions. This team has shown that many times in the past, and this team is young enough to be able to do that."

Nigel Reo-Coker answered Alan Curbishley's call to do his talking on the pitch by grabbing the winner in the West Ham manager's first game in charge as they beat Manchester United 1-0.

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Barclays Premiership Table

18 December 2006

		P	GD	PTS
1	Man Utd	18	28	44
2	Chelsea	18	19	42
3	Liverpool	18	11	31
4	Arsenal	18	14	30
5	Bolton	18	5	30
6	Portsmouth	18	9	29
7	Tottenham	18	0	28
8	Reading	18	-3	26
9	Aston Villa	18	3	25
10	Everton	18	2	24
11	Fulham	18	-10	23
12	Wigan	18	-3	22
13	Newcastle	18	-3	22
14	Man City	18	-7	20
15	Sheff Utd	18	-8	20
16	Blackburn	17	-6	19
17	Middlesbrough	18	-9	17
18	West Ham	18	-13	17
19	Charlton	18	-18	12
20	Watford	17	-11	11