Zola: Hard work paid off against Sunderland
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola was at last able to celebrate a Barclays Premier League victory as he got one over on old foe Roy Keane.
West Ham condemned Keane's Sunderland to a third successive defeat at the Stadium of Light to claim their first victory in eight attempts.
Switzerland international Valon Behrami claimed the points with a 20th-minute strike, but the visitors had to defend for long periods on a day when the Wearsiders were once again punished for failing to take their chances.
Zola admitted his team had played better in recent weeks and lost, but was no less pleased with the result.
He said: "We are passionate about this game - we take it too seriously sometimes, so it is normal that you suffer a little bit.
"This is going to give the boys a big boost. Finally, we have got a very important result after our hard work.
"It has been a difficult time and it is very, very important for the players - and for the manager as well.
"Today, we have been rewarded for the work we have done in the last couple of months.
"Maybe sometimes we have played better football and not got anything. Today, the result is something we think we deserved for what we have done in the past.
"I am very pleased for the players. They were fantastic. It is all down to them.
"They train hard all the time and never let themselves down. This is a very good reward for them."
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Weather for Sunderland
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
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