West Ham boss Avram Grant: We can still avoid relegation despite Chelsea defeat

EPL ; Avram Grant, West Ham United v Arsenal(getty Images)

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West Ham manager Avram Grant insists his side can avoid relegation if they continue to play like they did in their 3-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side run out comfortable winners thanks to foals from Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and Florent Malouda but Grant believed the 3-0 scoreline was not a true reflection of his side’s performance.

“Everybody knows we deserved better today but that’s football,” Grant told reporters.

“We played very well and created lots of chances but we just couldn’t take them.

“Petr Cech was brilliant today for them.”

Just before kick-off the the beautiful sunshine which graced many of the Premier Leagues earlier kick-offs disappeared and the heavens unexpectedly opened.

The torrential rain continued for most of the match making conditions difficult for both sets of players with standing causing havoc.

The standing water also played a part in Fernando Torres first goal for Chelsea but Grant insists he did not want the game stopped.

“Because of the conditions they scored the second goal but this is the game.

“I didn’t ask the referee to stop the game,” Grant added.

Despite the scoreline West Ham caused Chelsea problems going forward and they created a host of chances.

Demba Ba and Carlton Cole missed opportunities to get their side back in the game while Robbie Keane missed a guilt edged chance with scoreline at 1-0.

The former Chelsea manager said: “If there was anyone I would have wanted the chance to fall to it would have been Robbie Keane.

“It’s what he does best and no-one does it better. But we failed to take the big chance and it cost us.”

But Grant was delighted with the spirit his side showed and is adamant they can stay in the league.

“If you haven’t watched the game a 3-0 scoreline looks like Chelsea were much better than us but it wasn’t really the case.

“I’m very proud of the players. We played without some key men like Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Mark Noble in the second-half but wee showed good spirit

“We can stay in the league. Our results in the first-half of the season were poor but we played really well today.

“Because of our position we are not relaxed when it comes to chances in front of goal.”