Lambert: We have no luck but it’s not over yet

PAUL LAMBERT cursed his misfortune after Stoke were denied a precious three points for their survival bid when Andy Carroll equalised with moments left. The draw leaves Stoke five points adrift of 17th-placed Swansea with just four matches to save their decade-long membership of the Premier League. ‘I must have walked under a ladder or broken a mirror because I have no luck whatsoever,’ said Lambert. ‘It is a blow because we were so close to winning. We were excellent. I couldn’t ask for any more from my players. ‘As long as we don’t give up, nobody can point the finger. A win on Sunday (against Burnley) really sets the cats among the pigeons.’ Stoke looked on course for victory when Peter Crouch pounced after Joe Hart had spilled a shot from Xherdan Shaqiri. But Carroll’s volley spared Hart’s embarrassment. Though damaging for Hart’s World Cup chances with England manger Gareth Southgate watching on, West Ham manager David Moyes backed his keeper. ‘It was a surprise it spilled out but if you’re a keeper it’s going to happen,’ he said. ‘After he made fantastic saves at Chelsea last week, I didn’t go over the top as I expect him to do that. It’s the same here.’ Moyes added: ‘We didn’t deserve to lose. If we did, the football gods really would be against us. We bossed the game.’ Crouch said: ‘Their goal killed us. It would have been a vital three points, a lifeline. A draw is still good but three would have done us a world of good.’