SAM Allardyce felt his West Ham side lost to Burnley because of their failure to defend two set pieces.

He said: “I don’t think it was complacency.

“We should have defended one throw-in and one corner better than we did.

“So it is not complacency when you see a performance like that from us.

“Complacency is about players not dominating the opposition, and that was not the case today.

“But it was just one of those days for us where we worked so hard to get in front, and then we hit the woodwork a few times, and then wasted some more chances.”

Allardyce laughed off the suggestion that the decision to play Carlton Cole as a lone striker at home was to blame for the result.

He said: “When you look at the chances we created and our shots on goal, I don’t think that was a problem.

“4-3-3 has produced all our good results, where as 4-4-2 has hardly ever produced them.

“And our performances at 4-3-3 are better than they are at 4-4-2”.

Eddie Howe said it was the best result he had achieved during his time as Burnley manager, although not their best performance.

“In terms of spirit, character and attitude it was very good. But we can play better than that.

“But defensively we were terrific today. Michael Duff and David Edgar led the back four and the two full backs were excellent.

“And that pleases me more than anything because we have taken a lot of criticism – and probably justified - about our defensive play this year.”

Howe also singled out Sam Vokes for credit after he came off the bench to score the winner.

Howe said Welsh international Vokes had been particularly hard hit by the death of his national team manager Gary Speed.

Howe said: “He found it difficult for a couple of days, like the whole world of football did I think.

“Sam had a close relationship with Gary Speed.

“Sam is great lad and has got great character. He’s a very quiet lad but he wants to do well.

“And I thought he was outstanding when he came on and it was a great header for the goal.

“It’s been a tough time for him but hopefully that goal will give him a big lift.”