Pellegrini: ‘We didn’t play well’ vs Huddersfield

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini was relieved Saturday that his team salvaged a 1-1 draw at the John Smith Stadium against Huddersfield.

The Chilean manager expressed his disapproval over his team’s performance and restated that there are no easy games in the Premier League, despite Huddersfield being one of the worst teams in the division and the Hammers beating them in both meetings last season.

“I’m happy with the draw because we didn’t play well,” Pellegrini said. “Most people will think that because we won that game before that it would be an easier game, but I said before that it wouldn’t be an easy game – there are no easy games.

“All the games have a lot of intensity and Liverpool won here just 1-0. We looked at the way they play this week – every shot, every cross, every second ball is danger for them. In that sense, I think that after the goal, they did better.”

“In the second half, we improved and got some chances but not enough to win it.”

Pellegrini praised David Wagner’s side spirit and tenacity.

“Because these games, the ones that maybe people are expecting you to win, are the most dangerous games. Maybe in the first half, they didn’t believe that they were going to have in front of them, but they are a good team with a good style, a good intensity and are a good team. They play with pace and it’s difficult. After their goal, we didn’t create any chances.”