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Graham Potter suffers first league defeat at West Ham and admits he has problems

Graham Potter
Graham Potter cannot bear to watch on the touchline - Reuters/Tony O'Brien

Graham Potter admitted he has problems to fix at both ends of the pitch after Crystal Palace condemned him to a first Premier League defeat as West Ham United manager.

Two second-half goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, a long-range strike and a late penalty, secured a deserved 2-0 win for the away side.

West Ham did not muster a single shot on target and had defender Konstantinos Mavropanos sent off for two fouls on Mateta, meaning he will miss next week’s trip to Aston Villa through suspension.

And with Jean-Clair Todibo sidelined for the foreseeable future with a calf injury, Max Kilman is suddenly their only fit senior centre-half.

West Ham United manager Graham Potter and Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner
Potter lost this duel with Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner - Reuters/Peter Cziborra

“The more time you have, the more information you get about the group,” said Potter.

“We’ve learnt some stuff today, which is going to be important for us going forward. We’re going to try and improve every area of the club, every area of the team, because that’s what our supporters demand of us. That’s what we want.

“We need to attack better and we need to defend better. If you’re conceding goals, it makes it difficult.

“At the same time, if you’re not attacking well, if you’re not creating chances, if you’re not pushing teams back, you end up defending a lot. So, both things we have to try and improve.

“We don’t like it, but we have to be honest as well and say that we didn’t deserve to win. That’s not nice to say at home.”

New England manager Thomas Tuchel was in attendance to see Eberechi Eze set up Mateta for his opener, a low drive from outside the penalty area.

Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates his first goal
Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates his first goal... - PA/Ben Whitley
Jean Philippe-Mateta celebrates his opener
... and gives the corner flag a flying kick for good measure - Getty Images

Mavropanos received a second yellow card for a high boot on Mateta before the Frenchman wrapped up the win from the penalty spot after Lukasz Fabianski brought down Eddie Nketiah.

“I think we controlled the game over the whole time and we didn’t give West Ham a clear chance to score,” said Palace manager Oliver Glasner.

“We scored our goals in the right moment, straight after half-time and then when they tried again to get the equaliser we decided the game with the penalty.”

Jean-Philippe Mateta doubles Palace's lead from the penalty spot
Mateta finishes off West Ham from the penalty spot - PA/Ben Whitley

Victory completed a pleasing day for Glasner, who signed 19-year-old winger Romain Esse from neighbours Millwall on Saturday morning.

“You know, we said ‘who lives closest to the training ground?’ And it was Romain because he can walk over here,” smiled Glasner.

“It’s just three minutes to walk. It’s sustainability and he doesn’t need a car. So let’s get him.

Romain Esse watches the game
New Palace signing Romain Esse watches the game - Getty Images

“It’s good Romain joins us and can now train with us. He’s a young player and a typical Crystal Palace signing.

“We are convinced of his skills. He has a great first touch and understanding of the game. We will work with him and support him, stepping up from Championship to Premier League, so he gets known to it.”