David Moyes and Mark Hughes reflect on Saturday's showdown at the Bet365 Stadium.
Overall reaction
Moyes on defeat: “I thought the first goal was slightly against the run of play and we started the game well. I didn't think we played as badly as 2-0 in the first half suggests and we played better first half than second half. We conceded two terrible goals. If we can go in at half-time at 1-0 we had been enough in the game to give ourselves a chance."
Hughes on victory: “We played with confidence and I don’t think anybody can argue about the outcome of the game. The only thing was that maybe we should have won it by a more comfortable margin, but we are delighted with what we have produced and we will kick on from this point onwards – I have no doubt about that.”
Key elements
Moyes rues defensive errors: “The first goal was poor. We hit the referee with our first pass, we get a chance to make the second pass and we didn't and it gives them a chance to counter-attack which they did do. We didn't defend the last bit very well at all. The second was from a corner kick and we didn't win the first header, the ball gets headed out and we're not in the right positions at the edge of the box to stop Joe Allen shooting."
Hughes hails work ethic: “I was really pleased with the attitude of everybody from the attacking players and clearly the defensive players as we restricted them to very few opportunities. We've got good creativity at the top end of the pitch but they were still required to do a defensive role and a shift for the team and that is what they were prepared to do today. We scored two, got a clean sheet and we could've scored more on the day if truth be told, so all in all it was a really satisfying day for us and one we can build on."
First win of the season
Moyes’ wait: “I think now every game is a big game for us. Every one becomes nearly a must-win situation already – each becomes a cup final that we have to try to win from now to the end of the season. Now we go into the West Ham game and we need to win. Having just two points is dangerous, we need to win our first game.”
Hughes’ relief: “It has certainly been coming - that has been the overwhelming feeling within the camp. I think when you take the last four games into account, even against Hull and West Brom when results didn’t quite go to plan, there was a marked improvement in what we produced. People were talking about our position in the league and what have you, but we felt we were in good shape and confidence was high so we were looking forward to this game.”
Player focus
Moyes on youngsters: “I think for the young ones they’re not seeing a result at the end of it. Some of them are doing well, coming on and maybe having to take an even bigger responsibility than they are maybe ready to do at this moment at time. I think if they do come through it, it will be an experience that they will all remember because they’ll know what it’s like to grind it out and dig deep.”
Hughes on Allen: “We’re delighted with what Joe Allen’s producing. He is an exceptional player at this level but I didn't realise we had a goalscoring midfielder. He's a leader as well. He's taken on the mantle. We have not demanded it. Players look at him to get on the ball, then the team follow you and you become an important part of it.”
Looking ahead
Moyes targets points: "I want us to play well - playing well and performing will lead to good results. We would love to get a feel-good factor running through the club, I'd love to get that first win under our belts so that we could start to look up. But while we are where we are at the moment, we are struggling, so we have to dig in and we have to try to pick up points. If it's one, if it's three, we have to pick up as many points as we can at this moment in time."
Hughes optimistic: “We have always said that it was only a matter of time until things took a turn for the better and now we have those three points we can look forward with enormous optimism. We have a run of fixtures in front of us whereby we feel we can take a good amount of points, and hopefully we can reflect back at the end of that period and see ourselves in a position that better reflects the quality in our squad.”
