Moyes Feeling Frustrated

Manchester United boss David Moyes felt his players were unfortunate to lose at Stamford Bridge but expressed his disappointment at his side's defending for Chelsea's three goals.

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession during the first half, United still trailed 2-0 at the break as Samuel Eto’o hit twice, and the home side were soon three goals to the good shortly after the restart when the Cameroonian striker bagged his hat-trick.

"I would [say we were unlucky to be 2-0 down at half-time]," said Moyes. "We were unlucky with the first goal, but the other two that were from set-pieces were our fault. It was terrible defending for the second goal and just as bad as the one just after half-time."

However, Moyes was pleased with the Reds’ high-tempo start to the game and felt that United lacked only the finishing touch to several good chances to have made it a much closer contest.

"I thought we played quite well at times, especially during the first period of the game,” Moyes said. "We had a couple of chances but we lacked that bit [extra], we just needed someone to take the chances."

A disappointing afternoon for the Reds was compounded when skipper Nemanja Vidic was sent off in injury time after a tackle on Eden Hazard. The robust Serb will now miss three matches, but Moyes felt the red card was somewhat harsh.

"I don't think it was a sending off," he commented. "Maybe a bit of tiredness crept in towards the end when Hazard tried to go past him, but I don't think it was a red card."

Despite a tough day at the office, Moyes was in no mood for a let-up in the league, and although the Reds now sit 14 points off top spot, the United boss implored his players to keep on plugging away, while Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg tie at Old Trafford now takes on even great importance.

"[Top of the league] is a long way away but we'll never say it's gone for us," he said. "We'll do our best to get out of it if we can. I keep saying the best thing you can do is go and win your next game and we'll try and do that."