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Opening win delights Curbishley Ferguson defiant over title hopes
(about 20 hours later)
New boss Alan Curbishley was thrilled by the way West Ham pulled off a shock 1-0 win over Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United will not lose their nerve in the Premiership title race.
Curbishley's first game since replacing Alan Pardew was the sole time in his managerial career he had beaten Sir Alex Ferguson's side. United had their lead cut to two points after they suffered a shock defeat by West Ham and second-placed Chelsea scored two late goals to beat Everton.
"There has been a lot of criticism of the players and they have got to answer that and face the music," he said. "The result was nothing to do with nerve," said the United boss. "These things happen. We just have to gather ourselves and start another charge.
"We had the first training session on Friday and they responded. Now we've got something to build on." "We are still two points clear. The title is not decided in December."
Interview: West Ham boss Alan CurbishleyInterview: West Ham boss Alan Curbishley
We've got to put on a charge of our own, which is the stuff champions are made of, and we've shown we can do that Sir Alex Ferguson However, he added: "It's not been a great day in the sense that Chelsea have come from behind, which is a bit of luck for them.
The weekend's other results mean West Ham are still in the relegation zone but Curbishley says the win will have lifted their spirits after three successive defeats without scoring a goal. "But I'm not sure they are on a charge.
We've got something to build on West Ham boss Alan Curbishley
"It was a result they have clawed out of nothing, but we have got to show our resolve as well. That is the hallmark of champions. We have proved that many times in the past."
United created several chances to win the game at Upton Park but were stunned by a Nigel Reo-Coker tap-in 15 minutes from time.
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The weekend's other results mean West Ham are still in the relegation zone but new boss Alan Curbishley says the win will lift spirits after three successive defeats without scoring a goal.
"After Saturday's results we were desperate. We set off with a lot of enthusiasm and one or two of them were getting really tired," he said."After Saturday's results we were desperate. We set off with a lot of enthusiasm and one or two of them were getting really tired," he said.
"It was a tough second half but the goal gave us that little bit of a lift." "It was a tough second half but the goal gave us that little bit of a lift.
Manchester United's defeat, combined with Chelsea's win over Everton, means Ferguson's side now lead the Premiership by only two points. "There has been a lot of criticism of the players and they have got to answer that and face the music.
Ferguson contemplates defeat while West Ham's Mervyn Day celebrates "We had the first training session on Friday and they responded. Now we've got something to build on."
But he insisted they were still masters of their own destiny.
"We didn't deserve to lose as we created plenty of good chances," he said.
"We have been throwing away lots of chances recently and this was another example of that. It's something I've spoken about with the players over the last few days.
"I'm not so sure Chelsea are on a charge. They got a fantastic win over Everton, where they've clawed it out of nothing.
"We've got to put on a charge of our own, which is the stuff champions are made of, and we've shown we can do that.
"The championship race wasn't going to be decided in December but I'm happy with the form of the team and we're playing well."