Slaven Bilic throws further support behind Jonathan Moss

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic has reiterated that he does not want to criticise Jonathan Moss for his refereeing performance in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Leicester City.

Moss was the main subject of attention at the end of the match after sending off Jamie Vardy for what he thought was diving and awarding two controversial penalties.

Bilic refused to criticise the official after Sunday's game and has again thrown his support behind Moss at his press conference before tomorrow night's visit of Watford.

"I was sympathetic to the referee," Bilic told reporters. "It was hard for them and is hard for them and we and the FA need to find a way to help them.

"The only thing I wasn't happy about at Leicester was what we did after we scored our second goal, when we didn't play."

West Ham have drawn four league games in a row to drop seven points behind the top four and Bilic admitted that it was a big ask to finish in a Champions League spot.

"The gap to top four is big but it can be reduced but we have to win games," he added. "We are still in a big race for a European spot."

The Hammers are two points above Southampton and Liverpool below them in the table.