GIANFRANCO Zola believes West Ham should have been travelling back down south with all three points after allowing Sunderland to claw their way back to earn a point at the Stadium of Light.

The Hammers had opened up a two-goal lead when Jack Collison first laid on Guillermo Franco for his first goal for the club, before feeding Carlton Cole, who bulldozed his way through to score his sixth goal of the season.

However, Andy Reid's superb free-kick just two minutes after Cole's goal reduced the deficit, and Steve Bruce's men, who were reduced to ten players when Kenwyne Jones was sent off for a push on Herita Ilunga just before half-time, were able to draw level when Kieran Richardson stole in to convert Darren Bent's deflected cross.

Zola argued his team's dominant first-half performance warranted victory, and he called for more 'desire' from his players.

“For me when the team plays like that we should come out with a victory,” he said. “Their comeback was an easy situation like it was last week for us.

“It was remarkable the fighting spirit they had and the desire to come back but we have to be a bit more cynical when situations like that as in my opinion the game was finished.

“We are upset about what happened but it won't happen again.”

There was another sour note for Zola, as Radoslav Kovac was controversially sent off for a second bookable offence – the second time in a week a West Ham player has been shown a red card following Scott Parker's dismissal against Arsenal at Upton Park.

“Kovac was kicking the ball and Bent was coming from behind so he didn't see him,” added Zola. “It is the second time we have had a man sent off and he didn't deserve it.”

West Ham face Aston Villa at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday night.