West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic insists his side deserved all three points in their clash with Watford, although he concedes his team started poorly.

The Hammers, moved into the top half of the Premier League table with the point from the 1-1 draw but they could have had more, according to Bilic.

West Ham fell behind after only three minutes as Troy Deeney scored from the penalty spot. Watford winger Mauro Zarate was in fine form against his former club and was brought down by Cheikhou Kouyate before Deeney slotted it home.

Substitute Andre Ayew then stepped off the bench to rescue a point for the Hammers and Bilic was left with mixed feelings after the full-time whistle.

He told reporters: “I’m so pleased with the way we played, especially in the second half, but I’m not happy with the way we started the game, so it’s mixed emotions.

“We reacted good in the first half, and the second half was one of our best performances and we definitely deserved the point. In my point of view we deserved to win.”

Bilic also confirmed after the match that Andy Carroll should be fit enough to take on Chelsea next week.

The former Liverpool star has been struggling with a groin problem in recent weeks but Bilic insists Carroll should be back in training on Wednesday, ahead of Monday’s clash.

He has scored four goals in his last four matches and his return would be a huge boost as they try to dent Chelsea’s title hopes.