WEST HAM striker Carlton Cole is too hot to handle right now, according to his manager Gianfranco Zola.

Cole rifled in his sixth goal in ten league games to put the Hammers 2-0 up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The visitors were guilty of surrendering their lead however, much as Arsenal did when West Ham clawed their way back to claim a 2-2 draw last week.

But the game represented another feather in the cap for Cole, who has been at the peak of his game this season.

And Zola was full of praise for the striker after his performance against Sunderland.

“Carlton Cole is very difficult to handle when he's playing like he is now, and he was impressive,” he said. “I was pleased for him that he scored a goal and he should have got another one but that's okay.”

The former Chelsea forward is just four goals short of his tally from 27 league games last year.