[bennythedip2]

Downing: Draw felt like a defeat ..

West Ham will hope to respond from a result which felt like a loss by recording a victory at Southampton.

Midfielder Stewart Downing told whufc.com: "We needed the win to go back above Liverpool, but we didn't lose the game and got a point, so we can go to Southampton and look to win."

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce questioned United's long-ball tactics afterwards as Marouane Fellaini caused havoc, leading to Blind's leveller.

Downing added: "We're frustrated because we thought we were the better team.

"They played a lot more direct than I thought they would, but we dealt with it and it's the only real chance they've had."


Left-back Aaron Cresswell praised Cheikhou Kouyate, the midfielder who was deployed in defence and scored a superb goal to put the Hammers in front.

"I don't think he quite knew what he was doing," said Cresswell, tongue in cheek.

"It was a great finish. He has come into centre-half and he did an excellent job and deserved man of the match."

The late concession did not dent the Hammers' belief too much.

"We are still full of confidence and we know we deserved the full three points over the 90 minutes and it was not to be," Cresswell added.

"We are full of confidence for Southampton on Wednesday and we are looking forward to it."