West Ham United boss Manuel Pellegrini was frustrated after Saturday's 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Crystal Palace.
The Hammers created enough opportunities to win comfortably and scored an outstanding opener through Sebastien Haller, only for Palace to fight back and snatch victory through two set-piece goals – first when Declan Rice was penalised for handball, then when Jordan Ayew converted a VAR-confirmed goal from close range following a late free-kick.
“It's a disappointing result because we were ahead in the score and we had other clear chances to decide the game and two set pieces allowed Crystal Palace, who didn't have any other shots from inside our box, to win the game with a penalty and a free-kick," Pellegrini said.
“I think we had three clear chances to score in the first half and also had a couple in the second, but you must score. You cannot just create chances; you must score.
“We didn't and we conceded an unnecessary penalty – when Declan goes to the ball, he must keep his hand back and his arm down. It was an instant reaction and the ball hit his hand – and then they scored after the VAR and we lost."
