James Ward-Prowse feels West Ham United’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City was simply a case of a good team scoring quality goals.
The midfielder’s second goal in Claret and Blue, a superb stooping header, had the Hammers dreaming of a big win over the reigning Premier League champions at London Stadium on Saturday, but Pep Guardiola’s side bit back in the second half.
Jérémy Doku levelled the game for the visitors on 46 minutes before Bernardo Silva put City into the lead, with Erling Haaland wrapping up the win and inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on the Irons.
“It’s disappointing,” Ward-Prowse said. “When you come against a Man City team you'll be up against it and sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say ‘fair play’. All of their goals were of real quality, and just a shame we couldn't respond or hold on to our lead.
“We’re a resilient team and we’re a team that is difficult to break down. In the week, we build up to these sorts of games. We were unlucky not to hold on in this game, but equally we have to hold our hands up and say City are a great team and deserved the win.”
There were plenty of positives for Ward-Prowse to take from the performance, not least his fine finish in the first half.
The No7 is relishing his role in the West Ham team, having joined the Club from Southampton last month.
Reflecting on his finish, the 28-year-old said. "There was quite a long build up. Micky [Antonio] made a good run and created the space for Vlad [Coufal] to come in and I was confident of getting onto the end of it. Diving header - not a lot of those in my collection but I'll take it.
“I’m just trying to be flexible. Sometimes I need to be deep to get on the ball, and sometimes I’m a bit higher, but I try to be that box-to-box midfielder here. I feel like I have the license to do both here, which is good.”
A quick turnaround means a return to European football on Thursday as West Ham welcome FK TSC Bačka Topola to London Stadium in the UEFA Europa League.
Ward-Prowse is excited to experience a European night in Claret and Blue for the first time.
He added: “I wasn’t here to experience the trophy last year but, coming here, you can feel that this is a Club on the rise. This is a Club that is growing, and we’ve got another European adventure to look forward to.
“We’re excited for the challenge. We’re ready to go again.”
