West Ham 2-0 Hull: Di Michele gives Zola a welcome dilemma

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David Di Michele last night gave Gianfranco Zola a selection headache after condemning Hull to a sixth straight defeat.

The 33-year-old showed he is not ready to give up his place to new £9million signing Savio without a fight after scoring and making the Hammers' second goal for strike partner Carlton Cole.

Di Michele, on loan from Torino, is hoping to earn a £500,000 move to Upton Park and Hammers boss Zola admitted he would be a bargain based on last night's display.

"Di Michele was fantastic," said Zola. "He is such an important player for the team.

We also want to build up competition.

"If Di Michele keeps playing the way he is then there's a good chance he will stay here."

West Ham completely overwhelmed Hull who are in free fall and their new £5m signing Jimmy Bullard may be ruing his decision to quit Fulham for the KC Stadium.

The midfielder was left on the bench until the second half, and on last night's evidence Bullard's £45,000-aweek contract could end up making him the richest player in the Championship and out of sight of England manager Fabio Capello. Tigers boss Phil Brown said: "We're in relegation form and we need to address that as soon as possible."

Di Michele hit a post in the 17th minute with a curling shot to serve a warning and Hull had another major let-off when keeper Matt Duke saved Mark Noble's 21st-minute penalty after Sam Ricketts fouled Cole.

But Duke's luck ran out in the 33rd minute when he could only parry Cole's curling shot and Di Michele pounced to fire high into the net from close range.

Cole sealed the win in the 50th minute for his fifth goal in as many league games. He reacted fastest to the rebound when Hull failed to clear from a corner and Di Michele's angled drive hit a post.

It could have been far worse for Hull but for more heroics from Duke as West Ham hit the woodwork three times.

Bullard showed flashes of what he is capable of when he came on after 53 minutes, his long-range drive bringing a save from Robert Green.

Di Michele was replaced by Savio - but not until the 86th minute when he left to a standing ovation.

West Ham: Green 7, Neill 7, Collins 7, Upson 7, Ilunga 7, Behrami 6, Parker 7, Noble 6 (Boa Morte 84), Collison 7 (Faubert 71, 6), Di Michele 8 (Nsereko 86), Cole 8.
Hull City: Duke 7, Ricketts 6, Zayette 6, Turner 6, Dawson 6, Geovanni 4 (Bullard, 53, 6), Marney 6 (Mendy 73, 6), Ashbee 5, Kilbane 5, Cousin 6, Manucho 5 (Fagan, 53, 5).
Ref: Howard Web.
Att: 34,340

Man of the Match: David Di Michele
Villain of the Match: Geovanni

Next Three Games
West Ham
Saturday: Arsenal (a) Prem
Sun Feb 8: Man Utd (h) Prem
Sat Feb 14: Boro (h) FA Cup

Hull City
Saturday: West Brom (h) Prem
Sat Feb 7: Chelsea (a) Prem
Sat Feb 14: Sheff Utd (a) FA Cup

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