Sunderland 0 - 1 West Ham United

Sunderland 0-1 West Ham

Updated: November 23, 2008, 6:10 PM UK

Valon Behrami handed Gianfranco Zola a first Barclays Premier League victory in eight attempts as Sunderland suffered a third successive home defeat.

• Zola sees win as ''reward'' for Hammers hard work

The Switzerland international fired his side ahead with 20 minutes gone and could have made what followed far more comfortable had he not shot against the crossbar from just six yards on the stroke of half-time.

But in the end, his contribution proved enough to win a game which the home side dominated for long periods, but failed to make the most of the chances they created.

Manager Roy Keane has admitted in the past that the relative lack of goals his side scores often makes life difficult for them, and that shortcoming was painfully evident once again.

Djibril Cisse in particular had a series of chances, but the Wearsiders did not work goalkeeper Robert Green anywhere near often enough and ultimately paid the price.

The Hammers had to defend for long periods, but in Matthew Upson and James Collins, had willing workhorses, while former Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy was at his irritating best in front of a disgruntled crowd of 35,222.

Keane has seen and done most things in football, and little surprises him any longer.

However, he headed for the dressing room at half-time having seen his side create more than enough chances to win the game, but lucky still to be in it.

With recalled midfielder Andy Reid tormenting the Hammers down the left to provide a series of inviting cross for Cisse, it seemed only a matter of time before the home side took the lead.

Cisse sent one header just over and another narrowly wide, and then drilled a right-foot shot into the side-netting.

Reid landed a curling shot on top of Green's crossbar and Danny Collins forced a good save from the keeper four minutes before the break, and there was fury inside the Stadium of Light went Cisse went down on the edge of the box under James Collins' challenge and referee Mike Dean waved away his penalty appeals.

But in the meantime, Zola's men had taken the lead against the run of play.

Reid was penalised for a foul on Lucas Neill wide on the right, and although Nyron Nosworthy cleared Julien Faubert's free-kick, Behrami picked up the rebound and drilled a low shot past Marton Fulop with the help of a deflection off Kenwyne Jones.

Chances were few for the Londoners, but they should really have been 2-0 up in first-half injury-time after former Hammer Anton Ferdinand was left red-faced.

The defender attempted to control a high ball on halfway when he should really have headed it and succeeded only in giving it to Bellamy.

The Welsh international striker sprinted into the box and although he was forced wide as he attempted to round Fulop, he managed to squad for Behrami on the edge of the six-yard box - only for the midfielder to fire against the bar.

Keane's side returned determined to make the most of their escape, and they were appealing for a penalty again within two minutes when Cisse smashed the ball against Upson's arm from point-blank range - although Dean turned them down

The Frenchman was finding space with ease and headed wide once again from Phil Bardsley's 49th-minute cross, and Green was relieved not to be punished for losing out in an aerial battle with Jones five minutes later.

Having spent 10 minutes pinned back inside their own half, the Hammers eventually fought their way into enemy territory and went close to a second goal with 56 minutes gone when Lee Bowyer headed just over.

The former Magpie was in on goal again on the hour when he ran on to Behrami's pass, but Fulop smothered his cross with the blue shirts gathering.

Cisse was unable to capitalise on James Collins' misjudgement when he allowed Reid's 65th-minute cross to reach the Frenchman, who totally miscued his header.

Keane's withdrew Steed Malbranque and Reid and sent on Daryl Murphy and Carlos Edwards, the latter having been recalled from his loan spell at Wolves.

Dean Whitehead forced a smart save from Green with a glancing 84th-minute header, but Sunderland's fightback simply dwindled away to nothing.

Zola sees win as ''reward'' for Hammers hard work

West Ham boss Zola admitted his team had played better in recent weeks and lost, but was no less pleased with the result.

He said: ''We are passionate about this game - we take it too seriously sometimes, so it is normal that you suffer a little bit.

''This is going to give the boys a big boost. Finally, we have got a very important result after our hard work.

''It has been a difficult time and it is very, very important for the players - and for the manager as well.

''Today, we have been rewarded for the work we have done in the last couple of months.

''Maybe sometimes we have played better football and not got anything. Today, the result is something we think we deserved for what we have done in the past.

''I am very pleased for the players. They were fantastic. It is all down to them.

''They train hard all the time and never let themselves down. This is a very good reward for them.''

Sunderland boss Roy Keane was philosophical.

He said: ''We feel they were penalties, but there is no point in me going on too much about it. It always comes across, particularly when you lose, as sour grapes.

''Sometimes they go for you, sometimes against. Today, it wasn't to be.''

Keane admitted after the game that his side, which has not won back-to-back league games all season, needs a change of mentality if it is to progress.

He said: ''Last year, we ended up losing 20-odd games - if you turn 20-odd defeats into six or seven draws, it makes a hell of a difference at the end of the season.

''That's something we have got to find at the football club in the first team, that mentality where we are not at it, but we will take a draw.

''We have seen other teams doing it. It just seems to be win or bust.

''That's something we are daily working to change. You have got to take advantage of games like today.

''There are no gimmes in this league, but a home game, we felt, was an opportunity at least to get a point.''