Source: Daily_Mail
West Ham are United! Matthew Upson backs 'together' Hammers to beat the drop
Matthew Upson claims the West Ham squad are united behind manager Gianfranco Zola and determined to beat relegation. The Hammers ended a week of turmoil by producing a battling display to claim a valuable point with a creditable 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday.The result left them still just one point above the Barclays Premier League bottom three, but the manner of performance and spirit shown in adversity suggested it could prove a turning point. Matt finish: West Ham skipper Upson says Hammers can avoid relegation The days prior to the Goodison Park trip had been dominated by speculation over Zola's future and his apparently uneasy relationship with club owners David Gold and David Sullivan. It seemed unlikely the struggling Hammers could claim a result against the European-chasing Merseysiders but Upson insists off-field problems have not affected the players. The 30-year-old defender said: 'We are aware of the situation and the manager's feelings and commitment. The manager deals with it with the players to their faces. On target: Ilan scores a late header to salvage a point for West Ham at Everton 'Whatever else is said and done, we know the truth and we are together as a group. 'We are totally understanding and clear of the picture of what is going on. We are putting everything we can together. 'I think we can stay up, I think we are good enough.' West Ham have five games remaining to save their top-flight status, starting with next weekend's home clash against Sunderland. All smiles: Zola congratulates the goalscorer After finally breaking a run of six successive defeats, Upson feels they can now generate some momentum. The former Birmingham and Arsenal player said: 'It is nice to break that cycle because it is a poor cycle and not nice to go through. It was nice to stop the rot. 'It is something to build on but there is plenty of work left to do. 'There are not a lot of hours of football but we are in the mix and it is up to us to drag ourselves out of it. 'We need to get together again this week, have a good strategy for the weekend and commit to it. 'If we deliver a performance I am sure we can win the game.' West Ham showed plenty of determination as they twice came from behind to hold Everton up in their late charge for a European place. Manuel da Costa cancelled out Diniyar Bilyaletdinov's opener and Brazilian striker Ilan produced a superb and immediate reply to what had looked like an 85th-minute winner from Ayegbeni Yakubu. 'It has become a difficult place for teams to come and take something away from,' said Upson. 'On that front we have to be pleased and it is something we have to take into the next game. 'If anything we really showed a desire to go on and win it, which is really important to us. 'We had a really good week, we got together as a group and worked hard on the training pitch on things we had been doing poorly over the last few games. 'I thought we were better. Tactically, I thought our shape was a lot better and even though we didn't have a lot of possession first half we were very difficult to break down. 'You have to be that in the Premier League, especially in the position we are.'I thought the result was a good reflection of the game, both sides had opportunities, but we are delighted with that.' Fulham can rest who they like! West Ham complaint dismissed by Cottagers defender Aaron HughesPaying the penalty: Mido and Darren Bent the latest Premier League stars to flop from the spot. but who keeps saving them?Everton 2 West Ham 2: Hammers fans want misfit Mido sent off!WEST HAM UNITED FC