West Ham held Crystal Palace to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Monday night in a battling display that did little to ease the tension at the bottom of the Premier League.
The point leaves West Ham still deep in the relegation fight with five games to play, while Palace were unable to add to the momentum built from their recent European exploits in the Conference League.
Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged the difficulty of the task his side faced but took encouragement from their defensive performance.
“We performed well. We were organised and compact. Tough match. Our offensive process, the combinations didn’t quite go – the final ball, the final touch. The game was very balanced.
“It’s a tough shape to play against. It’s brought them a lot of success. It’s hard because they are good players. You cannot find the gaps. They are a threat on the counter-attacks. We were solid. It’s going to be a fight until the end.”
Bowen: ‘Team spirit will get us out’
Captain Jarrod Bowen admitted West Ham had to be at their defensive best but stressed that a point on the road against a side in this form was not without value.
“They are a really good side on a high from Europe. We knew it was going to be tough coming here and we would have to defend well. To be fair we did have some chances that on another day could go in. We wanted to come here and win, but at the end of the day I don’t think a point is the worst thing in the world either.
“Quality is not going to get you out on its own. It’s team spirit and togetherness and I think we did that with a clean sheet. We take a point with the situation we’re in. We can’t rely on results or look at everything going on. We have to focus on ourselves and keep fighting.”
‘Every minute we can score’
Midfielder Matheus Fernandes echoed the collective determination in the West Ham camp, pointing to recent weeks as evidence that his side have the fight to survive.
“First half was better than the second. We had great chances. It’s one point. We continue for the next game. Every game matters and we have to be ready.
“We just focus on our team, the other games don’t matter. We need to do our job. We have a very good game next to show our quality like we have in the last weeks. We are ready for the battle for the club.
“I think we are showing the mentality and we fight until the end. We know every minute we can score, our players can change the game.”
Nuno made clear his side will not be distracted by what is happening around them in the table as the season reaches its climax.
“It will go all the way, for sure. Not only at the bottom of the table but at the top. This season has been very tight. We don’t make points, we play games. We have a mission ahead and keep going.”
