Saturday 1 October 2016 20:16, UK
Mike Phelan blamed poor decision-making as Hull City succumbed to Chelsea, losing for the fourth time in five Premier League games.
The Tigers made the brighter start to Saturday's clash at the KCOM Stadium but were undone by second-half goals from Willian and Diego Costa as Chelsea ran out 2-0 victors.
Asked whether the first goal was the turning point, Phelan told Sky Sports: "I think so.
"We were quite pleased and jubilant at half-time that we were able to create a few issues and we managed to get to that point where we felt strong. In the second half it was a total change.
"We expected Chelsea to ramp up the pressure a little bit but I thought at times in the second half we were the victims of our bad decision making and passing.
"When you're up against quality like this you're going to be under pressure. The first goal was a poor goal and the second was a little bit lucky with the ricochet, but it was a great finish."
The defeat means Hull head into the international break without a top-flight win since their 2-0 victory away at Swansea on August 20.
However, having played Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and now Chelsea, Phelan praised his side's continued resilience and chose to draw the positives ahead of the international break.
He added: "There aren't any issues with the players that are here - they're trying to win football matches.
"We're trying to be positive and at times it looks difficult to get forward but we are playing quality.
"It's not a Mickey Mouse game, these are quality footballers and when you're up against Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal they can hurt you in a blink.
"We have to be solid and reasonable in our approach, we cannot expect to open up and win these games four or five nil, we have to be in the game.
At times in the second half we were the victims of our bad decision making and passing.
"Unfortunately for us it hasn't quite worked out but looking forward we'll be ready for the next one.
"We lose a lot of players now with the international but we have to get together with what's left and take credit for what we've done so far.
"We've come up against four of the top six teams and unfortunately we haven't come out of it with any real points.
"But we did take United all the way, we were in the game partly today but it's a 90 minute game and we have to keep going.
"The other two games we lost with 10 men so it's difficult to assess. Moving forward we have a few games that we hope to be competitive in."
Another week has passed at Hull without confirmation on Phelan's appointment as first-manager.
Asked for an update on his future, he said: "My situation is not the most important thing, I'm carrying on with what I intended to do which was to take the team as far forward as possible.
"The response from the players has been terrific, the supporters have been behind that and seen a change in this football club.
"It's just a case of the owners of this football club sitting down with me and settling the issues that need to be resolved."
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