Timely boost for Zola as players show support

WEST HAM’s new owners were handed a timely reminder that Gianfranco Zola has all the credentials to lead the club to safety as they dispatched Birmingham 2-0 at Upton Park last night.

A goal in each half from Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole earned West Ham their first victory under the new regime.

It was made all the more sweeter for new owners David Gold and David Sullivan by the fact it was achieved at the expense of the club they used to own.

Zola’s future as manager had been the subject of much speculation leading up to the game and it sparked a vote of confidence from Sullivan only hours before the kick-off.

The co-owner’s remarks that the wage bill would have to be slashed was deemed unhelpful by Zola as he prepared his squad for this vital home game.

But the spirit of unity among the players and their support for Zola was personified by Diamanti’s 50-yard run to hug the Italian coach after the striker had put the home side ahead on the stroke of half-time.

City should have taken the lead in the 28th minute but Cameron Jerome shot wide of Green’s right-hand upright from eight yards after Lee Bowyer had cleverly set him up with a short pass.

But West Ham went in front in the second minute of first-half injury time.

City’s Scott Dann was booked for a foul on Scott Parker on the edge of the penalty area.

And West Ham made them pay when Diamanti sent the free-kick over the wall and into the top corner for the opening goal.

Diamanti, buoyed by his goal, then tried his luck with a volley in the 54th minute but there was little power behind the shot and Hart dealt with it comfortably.

West Ham, looking to bounce back from defeat at Burnley at the weekend, continued to dominate.

Diamanti was presented with another chance when Cole set him up in the 60th minute but shot high over the bar.

A rare City excursion into the West Ham half brought them a free-kick on the angle of the penalty area when Matthew Upson felled Gardner.

The West Ham defender was yellow carded for his misdemeanour but City failed to take advantage of the resultant free-kick.

But the home side went 2-0 in front in the 67th minute when Faubert’s right-wing cross was met by a diving header from Cole that went in off the far post.

WEST HAM: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga (Spector 46), Diamanti, Parker (Noble 86), Kovac, Behrami, Mido (Ilan 66), Cole.

BIRMINGHAM: Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer (Michel 77), Fahey (McFadden 66), Phillips, Jerome.

Referee: Mike Dean.