Hull City manager Mike Phelan has claimed that his side are playing "terrific football" but struggling to finish after a 1-0 defeat at West Ham United today condemned them to their 11th league defeat of the season.

A Mark Noble penalty gave the Hammers all three points from the encounter at the London Stadium, leaving Phelan's side bottom of the Premier League table heading into Christmas.

"It's difficult when your team is doing ever so well, you feel for them because you want them to score the goals and get the credit. If we can play like that, we just need a stroke of genius or luck to get us goals," Phelan told reporters after the game.

"You have to have a wry smile on your face or you'd be very, very depressed. We didn't score a goal, we should have had two or three goals. That's the same story over the last few games, we are playing terrific football but we can't find the finish at the end of it. We kept going, credit to the players."

Asked whether he agreed with the penalty decision, Phelan added: "I am not going to go down that road, finding fault with the referee's decision. I think West Ham have got away with one. These results only happen to certain clubs at certain times. We had enough opportunities to win a few matches but we have to keep fighting. We need that extra bit of quality that gives us points.

"We had West Ham on the back foot, even the West Ham supporters will look at it from that point of view. We are just not getting the rub of the green. We are strong in certain departments and weak in others.

"We are going into the transfer window now. It is always an iffy time to do deals because we are at the bottom. If anyone feels courageous and wants a challenge I am hoping this club can give it to them."

Hull next face tough ties against Manchester City and Everton over the festive period.