Zola rues missed opportunity

"We are not down, just upset," was the message from Gianfranco Zola after the high-octane 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Saturday.

West Ham United were two goals up before half-time through Guille Franco and Carlton Cole before Sunderland did what the Hammers had done the previous week to Arsenal by producing a stirring comeback to end the game all-square. To add to the drama, the home side had Kenwyne Jones dismissed just before the break, while Radoslav Kovac was shown a red card late on for two bookings.

West Ham's superiority was such in the first half that Zola felt his side should have been leaving the north-east club, who were looking for their fifth straight home win, with all three ...