Kouyate - It was a huge disappointment

Cheikhou Kouyate had no excuses for his side's disappointing display against Tottenham

Cheikhou Kouyate had no excuses for his side's disappointing display against Tottenham on Sunday but says the players are already focusing on putting things right against West Brom and getting straight back on the winning trail.


It could have been a different story for the Hammers if Kouyate's scissor kick had not struck the crossbar minutes after Harry Kane had fired Spurs into the lead.


But the Hammers fell further behind when Toby Alderweireld scored from a corner and the game was essentially over when Kane added his second of the game shortly after half-time.


Kyle Walker compounded the misery when he made it four for the home side and not even a late strike from Manuel Lanzini could help salvage anything from the London derby.


Kouyate says the players will be determined to put things right in front of the televised cameras once again on Sunday and hopes to be celebrating all three points at the Boleyn Ground.


Kouyate said: "We gifted Tottenham their goals on Sunday. We were up against a big team and we have given them presents. We know that they are a good side and they have punished us. What's done is done and they deserved it.


"We know that this sort of thing happens from time to time, but with it being a derby, it's a huge disappointment for us and particularly for the supporters.


"We started the match poorly but when they scored the first we came back into the game, started playing, and had a few chances of our own. But when they scored the second, it was obviously an uphill battle.


"You can't lay the blame at the defence, because we're a team and we defend with eleven and on Sunday it wasn't easy. We have to try to take the positives and look ahead to next weekend.


"Their intensity was no surprise. We're away from home, at Tottenham, and plus it's a derby as well. We know that from the first 15 minutes it's going to be difficult, we'd been warned and we were prepared, but didn't do what was needed.


"We've got to regroup and really try to take the three points on Sunday against West Brom."