Hammers in need of some Zola power

GIANFRANCO ZOLA is only weeks into his managerial career at West Ham but already the soul-searching has begun.

The Italian is confronting the grim prospect of a relegation struggle after taking just one point from his last six games and admits he is ready to look deep within himself for answers.

The West Ham coach enjoyed a wonderful career as a player but since winning his first two games in charge at Upton Park, the Italian is beginning to learn management is a totally different ball game.

The honeymoon period is now over with the Hammers sitting only two points above the relegation places, having failed to keep a clean sheet in 24 league games.

They should have beaten Everton on Saturday but three goals in the final 10 minutes put paid to an afternoon that had promised so much for West Ham’s faithful.

Lack of concentration in the later stages of games worries Zola most. Late goals conceded against Arsenal and Middlesbrough have cost the Hammers in recent weeks but Everton’s last-gasp revival really rubbed salt into the wounds.

“I’ve had so many difficult moments in my career but I have never let myself down,” said Zola. “I am going to do the same now. The only way I know how to react is to look for solutions.

“I will try to find something that is good for the team. Maybe I am not doing enough but I am going to be reactive that is for sure. It is very easy to look at those 10 minutes and forget about the previous 80.

“I will be looking at solutions but also pointing out some of the good things that happened. For 80 minutes we defended very well so it might be something physical or mental, or we lose a little bit of composure.

“It is something we need to improve. I am going to be honest with myself and if I have done something wrong, I will tell the players. I am disappointed because I don’t think my players deserve this.”

Jack Collison had put West Ham in front with a 63rd-minute strike on his home debut. The 20-year-old got his chance after a first-half ‘dead leg’ to defender Matthew Upson.

Scott Parker’s exquisite back-heel into Collison’s path was largely forgotten, though, as Everton staged a remarkable comeback.

It was sparked by Joleon Lescott’s header from a Louis Saha cross in the 83rd minute and two minutes later the Toffees were celebrating again when Saha fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

The former Manchester United striker then sealed a fabulous turn-around with his second of the game in the 87th minute.

The signing of injury-prone Saha was a gamble for David Moyes but there are signs it will pay off.

“Louis for me is still finding his way,” said Moyes. “For 60 minutes he didn’t have a massive impact. We could have made changes but we wanted to keep the goalscorers like Tim Cahill and Saha on the pitch.”

WEST HAM (4-4-2): Green 7, Neill 6, Collins 7, Upson 5 (Collison 18, 6), Ilunga 7, Faubert 4, Parker 5 (Di Michele 87, 5), Bowyer 6, Sears 6, Bellamy 6, Boa Morte (Etherington 57, 6).

Subs Not Used: Lastuvka, Lopez, Mullins, Reid.

EVERTON (4-4-2): Howard 7, Neville 7, Yobo 7, Jagielka 8, Lescott 7, Arteta 6, Cahill 7, Rodwell 5 (Vaughan 65, 6), Osman 6, Saha 8 (Hibbert 90, 5), Anichebe 6 (Baines 86, 5).

Subs Not Used: Nash, Castillo, Jutkiewicz, Gosling.

REFEREE: Mark Halsey (Lancashire) 7: A game that flowed nicely, thanks in no small part to the official’s astute handling.

MATCH RATING: *** West Ham were excellent for an hour and then subsided worryingly. Grandstand finish, though.