Hammers not safe yet - Zola

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola was delighted to see his side earn a Premier League lifeline with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland at Upton Park. The Hammers' first win in eight games, secured by a second-half goal from Brazilian striker Ilan, edged them four points above the relegation zone.But with a trip to Liverpool next weekend followed by a home clash with fellow strugglers Wigan, Zola warned there is hard work still to come."We are very happy for today. It was such a tough game for us. I am pleased because the players gave everything," said Zola."I am absolutely delighted for the boys because I know what they have been through all this time."The result we got last week (2-2 draw at Everton) gave everybody a big boost. This is much better but it is still too early to celebrate. We are not there yet."One more win would move West Ham on to 34 points and Zola believes that could be enough to secure top-flight survival - but he will not count on it."It might be enough but we will try to get more. This is not a championship where you can say it is over. Nobody was expecting Burnley to beat Hull City today," said Zola."We will stay on our toes."Ilan is fast emerging as West Ham's unlikely saviour, having followed up his equaliser against Everton last weekend with a vital strike today.The 29-year-old, who was making only his second start for the club, latched onto Carlton Cole's downward header to earn West Ham a vital three points."Ilan has done very well," said Zola."Last week he came on and he scored a very important goal for us and he has made his way through to the team. That goal he scored today was unbelievable."I am delighted. He is becoming very effective for us. He is making a big difference but I don't think we have seen the best of him because he is still adapting his football."But the understanding he has with Carlton Cole is good."West Ham's victory confirmed Portsmouth's relegation."I am sorry for them and I feel for Avram Grant and his players but that is part of football. I have to think about my life and still I am not safe," said Zola.Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was disappointed his side conceded to a Cole flick-on because he had warned his players at half-time that West Ham's only route of attack was the long ball."It is a bad goal to give away, a horrible goal. We had just spoken about it at half-time. For me, their only real threat was a Carlton Cole flick-on and somebody running through," said Bruce."I thought in the first half we were comfortable. Lee Cattermole missed by a whisker and if Darren Bent had stayed on his feet when he was clean through it would have been a goal."It wasn't our day but we have to be honest, there are too many days like that when we come away from home."That sums our season up, where we have done enough to get more than a point but have come away with nothing. We had a great attitude for it and should have got something out of the game."Bruce was more furious at the performance of referee Mike Jones.Sunderland were angry at not being allowed to take a quick free-kick after Guillermo Franco's late strike had been ruled out for handball.The referee had ruled it would be unsporting given West Ham still had players off the field celebrating.Bruce also felt Sunderland deserved a second-half penalty after a challenge from Julien Faubert on Bent, although Zola had the same complaint following a Craig Gordon challenge on Cole."Some of the stuff he came up with was total dross," said Bruce."His performance was poor, which was summed up at the end."

Source: Team_Talk