Source: PA
Diamanti hails `top guy' Zola
West Ham goal hero Alessandro Diamanti insists the players are all behind boss Gianfranco Zola after helping the struggling Hammers to move out of the Barclays Premier League bottom three with a victory over Birmingham.
Diamanti sprinted 50 yards to hug Zola on the touchline after he had put West ham in front with a sensational free-kick on the stroke of half-time in Wednesday night's 2-0 win at Upton Park.
He was followed by a host of his team-mates in a public display of affection and support for their manager. Zola's team had clearly been stung by co-owner David Sullivan's pre-match comments about overpaid players and a "nice" manager.
If his jibes were meant to galvanise the team, then the process worked a treat as Diamanti's opener was followed by a second from Carlton Cole after the break.
"Like every other player here, we are all behind the manager because he works very hard, he's a top guy and he's the one who always takes responsibility," Diamanti said.
"Even when we don't play well he's always there, encouraging us. I was very pleased to win and when I scored my first thought was for the boss."
