Gianfranco Zola has spoken of the fighting spirit in the West Ham United ranks after a tremendous battling display away at Everton on Easter Sunday.
The manager had said going into the 2-2 draw that his team had trained very well in the week and shown a determination to prove they were better than recent results had suggested. While those outside the club had lined up to have their say, Zola said everyone at the club had resolved to stick together.
"I and all the team decided we have to fight until the end," he said. "No matter what, we are going to fight until the end. Today was a clear demonstration that we will never give up. To go 2-1 down could have been a massive blow but we reacted and it was brilliant. I was very pleased with what they did."
Having been visited by the chairman in the tunnel post-match and witnesses tremendous support from the travelling fans, Zola added: "Mr Gold was pleased for the performance for the players as everybody was. It has been a great day for us. The result gave us a great satisfaction. Everton are not a bad team, they have beaten all the best teams here so it is a very good performance."
Zola had asked his men to have "no regrets" when they came off the pitch and that was the case. No one embodied that more than Scott Parker, who was simply magnificent yet again. The most nailed on Hammer of the Year ever, it would seem. However, the manager said they would cope with his two-match suspension while the club wait for news on Valon Behrami's injury in the warm-up.
"Scott is an important player but I am sure that the others will run and fight hard to make sure his absence is not too big. It is important that after a long spell of defeats to have this point. It will give us a lot of confidence plus I believe we have found extra spirit for the next match."