After seeing so many of his young players influence victory over Sunderland, West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola has paid tribute to his coaching staff.

He told whufc.com: "It was a project and when I spoke to you first time probably some did not believe it but to see things come together like this is such an unbelievable satisfaction for me, for Steve Clarke, Kevin Keen, Antonio Pintus and Ludo Miklosko - and also the club who have put so much faith in what we are doing.

"It's working," he said. "Yes, but tell me if this is something I didn't say at the beginning. I said the idea was to create this kind of situation. It's working very well and I am very glad and pleased. It's unbelievable and it's great after the difficulties we have had and this gives us even more confidence for the future."