West Ham United FC

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Clean sheet a boost for Zola

16 Nov 2008 - 11:03:53

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West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola was pleased with his side's resolve after they secured a 0-0 draw at home to Portsmouth and kept their first clean sheet of the season.

The Hammers could have snatched all three points as Craig Bellamy saw a free-kick rebound out off the woodwork, although former Irons striker Jermain Defoe had several good chances for the visitors.

Zola commented afterwards: "That point means a lot to us, especially for the defenders' confidence.

"I'll take a point from this match because it was really, really tough. The players gave everything and I couldn't ask for more.

"We tried to attack and we made changes and tried again, but Portsmouth were very solid and didn't give us anything.

"We really tried, but quite honestly I didn't expect Portsmouth to be that good at the back.

"We also needed some good saves from our goalkeeper (Robert Green) when they came back at us and in the end it was a good result, considering we have lost five of the previous six games."