Adama Traore believes the fighting spirit West Ham showed in their dramatic FA Cup exit to Leeds proves they can stay up this season.
The Hammers, still in the Premier League relegation zone, trailed Leeds 2-0 going into stoppage time after goals from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
They made an astonishing comeback through Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi to force a 2-2 draw and extra time, only to bow out on penalties.
“I’m sad because of how we lost but we have to take the positives from the game,” said winger Traore.
“We showed great fighting spirit and fought until the end. It’s unfortunate that we lost on penalties but we’ll try to improve and be better in our next game.
“We need to move on because this game is now already in the past. I believe we can stay up and the feeling would’ve been better if it was a win, but there were positives.”
West Ham would’ve been tasked with a London derby at Wembley against Chelsea had they got through to the final four.
Traore was signed in January by Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who also managed him at Wolves.
He added: “I love the identity of the club and the fans who are passionate like myself. I want to play and do well under a manager I know.”
