Source: SKY_Sports
Zola happy with a point
Italian manager Gianfranco Zola was pleased with West Ham's defending in their 1-1 draw against Blackburn at Ewood Park.[LNB] The Hammers were dangerous on the counter-attack in the first half and got their noses in front on 35 minutes through Mark Noble's expert finish.[LNB]It was all Blackburn after half-time, although they failed to secure a winner after Keith Andrews' goal shortly after the interval levelled matters.[LNB]Rovers threw everything at West Ham as they went in search of that all-important winner, but Lucas Neill and James Tomkins impressed at the heart of the visitors' defence.[LNB]Good defending"Our defending was really, really good. You have to do that when you have a team like them who put a lot of bodies in the box," said Zola.[LNB]"My team was excellent really. It was a pity that in the second half we didn't have the extra physical strength to cause them a few more problems as they were exposed.[LNB]"They played some very good football in the first half. That was what I was looking for in the second half, but honestly it wasn't easy and they couldn't do that.[LNB]"It was a close game. Both teams could have won it. I was pleased with the way my team played. In the end I think the result was right."[LNB]Dyer boostBlackburn boss Sam Allardyce believed Luis Boa Morte was offside in the build-up to West Ham's opener, although Zola felt his side could have won a late penalty when Chris Samba felled Kieron Dyer.[LNB]The last 10 minutes of the contest marked Dyer's first involvement in the Hammers' first-team this season and the Italian tactician was delighted to have him available for selection following a lengthy lay-off.[LNB]"To be honest I've not seen the [build-up to our goal] but I think there was a penalty for us so I think that might balance everything," he continued. "When Kieron was challenged by Samba.[LNB]"He's brilliant. I was very pleased for him. He's a player that especially in games like this he can make a difference for us. [LNB]"Today he played 10 minutes and now he'll have two more weeks to prepare himself properly. It's very important to have him back."[LNB]
