• Premier League

Moyes bemoans 'terrible' United defending

ESPN staff
January 19, 2014
Moyes blames defending

David Moyes blamed Manchester United's "terrible defending" for his side's 3-1 defeat at Chelsea, but said the scale of the loss was harsh on his team.

Moyes felt his team dominated the opening period but were undone by sloppiness. Although Samuel Eto'o's opening goal was helped by a deflection, Moyes could not ignore the poor marking that led to Eto'o completing a hat-trick with two strikes from close range either side of half-time.

"I would [say we dominated early on], but we got a bit unlucky - the first goal took deflection but the other two, set pieces, terrible defending," said Moyes.

"I thought we played quite well today, especially in the first period, but we needed somebody to take one of our chances. I thought the game would be tight, and I thought it was other than the two set pieces, which really changed the game. I think, apart from that, we had as many chances as Chelsea.

"Football's about scoring goals, and Chelsea did. We dominated the opening period of game, but if you defend the way we did at set pieces you don't deserve to win. We can only blame ourselves, no-one else."

Moyes did argue that Nemanja Vidic's red card was undeserved, although he did not comment on Rafael's poor challenge on Gary Cahill.

"I don't think it's a sending off," he said. "I've not seen Rafel's tackle, but [Vidic's] is not a sending-off. I think it was just a bit of tiredness, but not a sending off."

Moyes accepted that retaining the title now looked unlikely, but said the club would not be rushed into transfers.

"It's a long way away," Moyes said of top spot. "I'd never say it's gone, and we'll do our best to try and get back into it."

He said transfer market decisions would not be taken "because of results" and explained: "The club have always said it's a long-term [project], and they know it's a job to be done."

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