Graham Potter’s managerial debut at West Ham United ended in disappointment as his side fell to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round.
Despite the loss, Potter highlighted encouraging signs in his team’s performance, emphasizing their effort and commitment. “I think the effort, the application, the spirit of the group was good. I can’t fault them for that,” he said during the post-match press conference.
West Ham started brightly, taking the lead in the 9th minute with a well-crafted goal finished by Lucas Paquetá. Potter praised his players, saying, “They’ve given themselves to the game, and I think you can see that.”
However, the momentum shifted in the second half. A controversial corner kick led to Aston Villa’s equalizer, scored by Amadou Onana. Addressing the incident, Potter remarked, “I think the first goal was disappointing for us. Whether it was a corner or not, I’ll have to look at it again.”
Aston Villa sealed their comeback when Morgan Rogers found the net, ensuring the home team advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup, much to the delight of fans celebrating the club’s 150th anniversary.
Potter acknowledged the result was a setback but remained optimistic about the team’s potential. “There are things to improve, but we’ll build on the positives from today,” he concluded.
The loss leaves West Ham fans hopeful that under Potter’s leadership, the team can regroup and deliver stronger performances in the matches ahead.
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