We have no excuses, says Bilic

WEST HAM have been exceptional on the road this season but manager Slaven Bilic was forced to accept they deserved absolutely nothing for their efforts at Tottenham. Stunned Bilic claimed his team were still in the game despite trailing 2-0 at half-time but lost control when an error by James Tomkins presented Harry Kane with the third, five minutes into the second half. Tottenham won 4-1 and the Croat said: ‘No excuses, they were better. ‘They were quicker than us, physically stronger, they scored goals and grew in confidence. ‘It was a shock. We deserved to be beaten and to lose 4-1. We prepared well for this game. It was a derby and we were preparing for a big game and in training it looked really good. ‘We knew our strengths and where we had a chance. But we couldn’t put it on the pitch. ‘In the first half apart from the goals we were OK, and had that belief we could bounce back in the second half. ‘We created good stuff in front of their box where we need one good ball or a bit more quality. After the third — an individual mistake — it killed the game.’ Bilic refused to blame the defeat on the absence of injured playmaker Dimitri Payet. ‘When I say no excuses, that includes Payet,’ he added. ‘He’s our best player, but there’s no point. We will be without him for maybe 11 weeks and we have enough quality to replace him and be better than this.’ A 35-year-old West Ham supporter was in a stable condition in hospital last night after he was stabbed in the stomach before the game near White Hart Lane station. Police have recovered a weapon and are working with the two clubs to identify the culprit.