Grant pleased with comeback

 

Avram Grant was pleased with West Ham's second-half performance after his side fought back to draw with Fulham at Upton Park.

Clint Dempsey gave the Cottagers a first-half lead but Frederic Piquionne netted six minutes after the restart to earn a share of the spoils.

The Hammers are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions but the point was not enough to prevent Grant's side from dropping to bottom of the top flight on goal difference.

But the West Ham boss took the positives, telling Sky Sports he was pleased with the way his side came back into the game after Fulham had dominated the opening period.

"Second half we came very well into the game, we were the better team, we scored a goal and we could have scored more but to be fair they also had a big chance (Diomansy Kamara's injury-time miss) in the end," he said.

Grant reiterated his belief that the Hammers will not be relegation candidates at the end of the season.

"This is our target, it will not be easy, there is a long way to go. There are good teams today in the Premier League and it will be a fight until then, but I think we showed that we have the team that does not need to be relegated."

Grant again left out Carlton Cole, preferring to start with Piquionne and Victor Obinna, before bringing on the England striker midway through the second period.

He added: "They (Piquionne and Obinna) played together the first time in the Carling Cup and they did well so that we have continued with them (against Spurs and Fulham).

"The second half we changed the shape and it was better for us to pass the ball well, to put the pressure on them and we did it well, we could also win the game.

"But Carlton Cole is a good player, he will be good for us over the season."

Grant also praised England keeper Robert Green, who met American striker Clint Dempsey on the pitch for the first time after his blunder at the World Cup.

While Green again conceded from Dempsey at Upton Park, he pulled off several outstanding saves to earn his side a valuable point.

Grant added: "He is a good goalkeeper. Sometimes good goalkeepers do not have a good moment, the most important thing is how you react and you have seen him react very well today and his last two games have been good, he is doing his job."

Barclays Prem Relegation 10/11 Relegation: West Ham 7/4

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