• Premier League

Moyes: United were the better team

David Moyes insists Manchester United were the better team in their 2-1 defeat to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, as his side sunk to an eighth Premier League defeat of the season.

United suffered a huge setback to their top-four hopes as they lost to Stoke in a match that also saw Phil Jones lose consciousness following a clash of heads with Jonathan Walters.

Big Sam parks his Big Bus

Sam Allardyce had the last laugh against Chelsea © Getty Images

• In our latest round-up of the best sporting quotes from the last seven days, Jose Mourinho doesn't like Sam Allardyce's tactics, Arsene Wenger does a 'Benitez', and Daniel Sturridge has a eureka moment.
• Click here for ESPN's Week in Words

Jones' exit followed that of central defensive partner Jonny Evans, who suffered a calf injury as the bad luck that has dogged Moyes throughout his short time at Old Trafford surfaced again.

Even the details of a first ever Premier League defeat to Stoke, and a first loss at the Britannia Stadium, showed how ill fortune has attached itself to Moyes given Charlie Adam's opener came courtesy of a massive deflection off Michael Carrick.

Robin van Persie equalised early in the second half, only for Adam to seal victory with an exquisite 20-yard strike.

"I thought we were the better team," Moyes said. "We got to the byline eight, nine, 10 times but the ball back never picked someone out in the box. That was our undoing.

"In the end we lose to a free kick from 30 yards with a massive deflection and a worldy [a world-class strike]."

The result deals a massive blow to United's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

If Liverpool beat West Brom on Sunday, Moyes' team will be nine points adrift of fourth spot and seemingly incapable of stringing the results together required to force their way up the table.

Jones was taken to hospital following the first-half incident, although he was able to return to the ground and link up with the rest of his team-mates after United's 2-1 defeat.

"Phil is OK," United manager David Moyes said. "He has been checked at the hospital. He was out for a little while. I saw him falling back and his head going back on the grass. He got up but when we went to treat him he lost consciousness for a while.

"The medical team did all the right things. They got him to hospital but he is fine. It looks like concussion. He should be OK."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd