Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce rues missed chances after West Ham United defeat

Michail Antonio scored the winner after 30 minutes, a well-taken goal but it could have been easily avoided with Patrick van Aanholt at fault.

Sunderland fought back and had the better of the second half, with Jermain Defoe, van Aanholt and sub Jack Rodwell all squandering excellent chances to level.

Allardyce felt his side had done enough to win the game, never mind draw but in the end Sunderland came away with nothing from their final ever trip to Upton Park.

After watching his side go down to a narrow 1-0 defeat, Allardyce was asked post-match whether he felt like he had ran over a Black Cat never mind manage one?

Allardyce said: "I couldn't have put it better myself!

"I was jumping around like a lunatic at the end.

"For us, it is such a huge disappointment not to pick up any points on those chances created, particularly the second half.

"It is a danger for us in our fight against relegation. It is the second time we have come off the field having played and created chances, one was Man CIty and then today.

"We are kicking ourselves. It is worrying me a great deal on the basis that if you can play that well and not get any points.

"We are making life extremely difficult, not converting those chances. We had created enough to win it, never mind draw it.

"We must hope that if we can continue to play like that, then we will get the victories we need very quickly."

The Sunderland boss admitted they only had themselves to blame, and it further cranks up the pressure ahead of Tuesday night's home game against Crystal Palace.

Allardyce added: "I was pleased with the performance, the way they played second half in particular.

"But you can't not come away with a result when you have created so many chances.

"I would have expected Jermain Defoe to have scored, Jack got one in but it hit his hand. I'd have expected to get at least one of those three chances in.

"Patrick van Aanholt - who has been very good at scoring - blasted over the bar.

"It is very difficult to take. But it is our fault.

"We have to live with it and make sure we bounce back Tuesday with a victory against Palace.

"It is very important to win that game, more important now."