West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola is "proud" of his side's 2-0 triumph over Birmingham City and hailed the Hammers' "magnificent" support.

Don't Miss

Due to the club's plight and their publicised finances, the result ensured football matters were once again at the forefront at Upton Park as the three point accumulation ensured the Irons rose up to 14th spot in the Premier League.

"It is a massive win," Zola exclaimed on the club's official website.

"You could see in the first half, we started very well and as soon as they created a half-chance we started to get a little bit nervous - us, the crowd, everybody. When you play in these situations it is so difficult, you need to get through those moments.

"Fortunately the goal relaxed everybody and it will be a big boost for the whole atmosphere around the club.

"When the team get fitter and have more composure it will be better," the Italian noted.

"I am proud. Now we have to keep working together to make this team reach a better position. Me doing my job, the chairmen doing their job and the team doing its job - that is the story."

He continued: "We are going through a difficult moment and we want to stick together.

"There is not any other message than we are together, the players and the staff and we want the team to succeed."

"We are in a position that we don't like and we want to do everything we can to improve it. We care about this club and we want to be successful.

Reflecting on his side’s goal celebrations, Diamanti’s in particular, with the Italian goal scorer running the length of the pitch to celebrate with the Hammers bench, Zola was equally delighted.

"It was a good gesture. I appreciated it very much and it is important that there is a good connection between the staff, myself and the other people that work at the club."