WEST HAM boss Gianfranco Zola lambasted his side's first half performance against Manchester City as 'nowhere near' the standard he has set for his team.

The Hammers were outplayed by City during the 3-1 defeat and they headed back down the M6 contemplating their worst start to a Premier League season since they were relegated back in 2003.

A brace from former West Ham player Carlos Tevez and a goal from Martin Petrov were enough to see off the Hammers, although striker Carlton Cole did manage to briefly pull his side level with a clever flick from Radoslav Kovac's shot midway through the first period.

Zola was left disappointed afterwards. “I believe we were nowhere near the standard in the first half,” he said. “We showed more in the second half but we know we're much better than this.

“I know we're not getting the points we deserve but we will get there.”

Zola did find time to praise the conduct and quality of Tevez after the game, as the Argentinian refused to celebrate in front of the away support after scoring his first goal.

Zola added: “Great players like him are also gentlemen and he showed that. I appreciate him not only for what he did after the celebration but the way he played the whole game. I thought he was fantastic.”