Moyes 'thrilled' to pick up a point in goalless draw with Brighton

West Ham and Brighton played their way to a goalless draw at the London Stadium but Hammers boss David Moyes was "thrilled" with the result.

Despite recording their first clean sheet of the season, the Seagulls missed the chance to leapfrog the hosts and move to sixth in the Premier League. 

Speaking to Sky Sports, Moyes said: "I'm thrilled with the result and to get the point. I thought Brighton played very well and were the better team. 

"They had a few chances but I think we might have had the best one of the game with Tomas Soucek.

"When you're playing really good teams, which we have been, especially in this Christmas period, we've had to be really compact defensively and as organised as we can be. 

"We lacked the quality that might make the difference at the other end of the pitch when we have the ball.

"I thought the boys at the back did a brilliant job. They have done what they had to and my goalkeeper played very well."

While Moyes, 60, was happy with the point, the timing of the game did not sit well with the veteran head coach as he was unable to select his African stars due to international duty.  

He added: "It feels a bit strange that we're playing on January 2. 

"Could we not have played on January 1 and allowed our African players to play? I feel that's something that isn't correct. 

"I just think why couldn't we have our African players, the same as everybody else? 

"It's nothing to do with the performance. Brighton were without lots of good players and we were without lots of good players. 

"But I don't see at this point why you would play a game and be disadvantaged by some of your players not being able to play."

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi agreed with Moyes' assessment of the match. 

He said: "I'm really pleased with the performance. We made a clean sheet so you're happy because Brighton made a clean sheet. 

"We played a great game. We deserved to win.

"We created eight clear chances and I'm really pleased for the performance."