West Ham made Manchester City struggle during their FA Cup third round replay at the City of Manchester Stadium, but eventually came unstuck after Elano scored a 73rd minute winner.
Speaking after the game, Irons boss Alan Curbishley expressed disappointment at the cup exit, but vowed to be back on Sunday.
Wasted Chances
"We gave it our best shot," he told BBC Sport. "We're really disappointed that we haven't won the game because we felt we dominated for long periods.
"We created one or two chances but didn't take them and we paid the price in the end."
Penalty Shout
Curbishley also admitted he was disappointed not to have won a penalty in the second half after Lee Bowyer was clattered into by City goalkeeper Joe Hart. "We thought it was a definite penalty," said the Hammers boss. "Hart came out as Lee was put through and took him out.
"(Referee) Mark Clattenburg probably followed the ball because it was goalbound but perhaps we needed the assistant or technology. I'm not saying Hart did it on purpose but he definitely hit (Bowyer).
Ready For The Rematch
Nevertheless, Curbishley wasn't blaming the decision for the result. "We let an opportunity go tonight," he admitted, though stressed his team selection had nothing to do with it. Indeed, the Hammers face the Citizens at the same stadium once again at the weekend, this time in the Premier League.
"I had one or two things on my mind with our starting XI and rested one or two people, but we'll be back on Sunday and we've demonstrated despite our injuries that we can compete, which we've done all season."
Cup Is Prestigious
Asked if he'd prefer three points at the weekend over a fourth round tie at Sheffield United, Curbishley showed a refreshing attitude rare among many top-flight managers nowadays. "I think a Premier League team is going to win the FA Cup, but why not West Ham?" he said. "We gave it our best shot but perhaps it wasn't good enough. But City is a tough place to come and I think we showed we can stand up to it - we look forward to Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Irons boss Alan Curbishley expressed disappointment at the cup exit, but vowed to be back on Sunday.
Wasted Chances
"We gave it our best shot," he told BBC Sport. "We're really disappointed that we haven't won the game because we felt we dominated for long periods.
"We created one or two chances but didn't take them and we paid the price in the end."
Penalty Shout
Curbishley also admitted he was disappointed not to have won a penalty in the second half after Lee Bowyer was clattered into by City goalkeeper Joe Hart. "We thought it was a definite penalty," said the Hammers boss. "Hart came out as Lee was put through and took him out.
"(Referee) Mark Clattenburg probably followed the ball because it was goalbound but perhaps we needed the assistant or technology. I'm not saying Hart did it on purpose but he definitely hit (Bowyer).
Ready For The Rematch
Nevertheless, Curbishley wasn't blaming the decision for the result. "We let an opportunity go tonight," he admitted, though stressed his team selection had nothing to do with it. Indeed, the Hammers face the Citizens at the same stadium once again at the weekend, this time in the Premier League.
"I had one or two things on my mind with our starting XI and rested one or two people, but we'll be back on Sunday and we've demonstrated despite our injuries that we can compete, which we've done all season."
Cup Is Prestigious
Asked if he'd prefer three points at the weekend over a fourth round tie at Sheffield United, Curbishley showed a refreshing attitude rare among many top-flight managers nowadays. "I think a Premier League team is going to win the FA Cup, but why not West Ham?" he said. "We gave it our best shot but perhaps it wasn't good enough. But City is a tough place to come and I think we showed we can stand up to it - we look forward to Sunday.
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