Rangel: The Better Team Lost At West Ham

Swansea City right back Angel Rangel believes the better team lost at West Ham United on Saturday.

The Swans saw their 7-game unbeaten run come to an end as Andy Carroll's aerial ability proved to be the difference as he broke the deadlock on 77 minutes, heading in direct from a corner.

Talking about the game and Andy Carroll in particular, Rangel said:

"I have to say that our centre-backs did well for most of the game.

"He had one free header and he`s good at that - he`s a big fellow.

"He can score goals if you give him half a yard and I think that was the difference.

"They had some good chances before that and it probably wasn`t until the end that we hurt them.

"In the last 10 minutes we pushed, we tried, we had a few chances, but they didn`t go in.

"It was one of those games when the game was well open for the teams in the last 15 minutes.

"We were unfortunate to concede like that goal, especially from a set-piece, but Carroll in the air is strong like that.

"They lived off long balls to Carroll. But the best team didn`t win, their style of football won on the day.

"It`s not easy to defend when they have so many big players.

"They didn`t play better than us, but they got to result and that`s all that matters.

"Being honest, we have to accept the defeat but also take it as a lesson and remember we`re still in a good position."

Rangel also insisted that the team is scoring goals, and not just from top goalscorer MIchu, who is yet to score in the last 6:

"I thought in the first half we did well, we defended well and they only had a few chances,"

"But we probably lacked that last pass in the final third and we didn`t create as much as we sometimes do.

"Sometimes you are unfortunate up front. We had chances but just didn`t take them.

"But sometimes it happens and we accept it as a team. People can ask about Michu, but he is not going to score every game.

"He`d be worth £100m if he did. He`s only a human being and he`s been great for us.

"As a striker you have good days and bad days and as a team we were unfortunate going forwards.

"Throughout the season goals have come from different players.

"Luke Moore came on for the last 20 minutes and that`s not easy when you`re losing and chasing the game.

"He did great, he had a chance and he did well, the same as Pablo and the same as Nathan.

"We haven`t been relying on Michu`s goals, although probably they have been the difference for Swansea.

"We`ve got so many players who can score goals so I think we can score many."

Michael Laudrup's side will aim to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they host QPR at the Liberty Stadium. Harry Redknapp's side are boosted with a host of new year signings, and have drawn their last three games.

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