WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola chose to take the positives from Saturday's defeat to Liverpool, despite the fact the Hammers have now made their worst start in seven years.
Fernando Torres was the architect of the Irons' downfall, scoring two goals, including the decisive third 15 minutes from time, after West Ham had twice fought back from behind.
The excellent Zavon Hines, making only his second start for the Hammers, won a penalty, which Alessandro Diamanti – making his full debut for the club – converted to make it 1-1. Carlton Cole's header pegged Liverpool back again after Dirk Kuyt turned in a Steven Gerrard header, but Torres was to have the last laugh, rising to nod in Ryan Babel's cross.
Far from being the cakewalk that many pundits predicted, Zola's side more than matched their illustrious opponents, often looking threatening in attack. And it was this crumb of comfort that the manager was able to take from their third defeat of the season.
“I see what the players do on the pitch, and today was very encouraging,” he said after the match. “I think we were unfortunate today not to pick up points, but the rest is encouraging. I’m sure we will get better and it won’t be long.”
The result wasn't the only negative from the game, as Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami were both forced off in the first half with injuries.
Upson appeared to pull up with a hamstring problem, while Behrami – just making his comeback from a serious knee injury – suffered a nerve problem.
However, Zola remained upbeat about the pair's prospects. “It shouldn’t be too bad. For Upson, the muscle got very tight, so he had to come off before breaking it. Regarding Valon Behrami because he has been working a lot in the last few weeks, he had a problem with a sciatic nerve, but it shouldn’t be too bad as well.”
Striker Diamanti was also hauled off late in the game with a suspected pulled hamstring, although it is not clear as to the extent of the injury.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here