Zola hails Hammers youth

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Junior Stanislas, 19, marked his first start with the opener against Sunderland and 20-year-old James Tomkins added another after the restart.

It moved the Hammers to seventh in the Barclays Premier League and Zola said: "It's amazing to see our young players doing so well. We need their energy and strength."

He added: "We will need them to help us achieve our goals. When you have a great team spirit it's easy for whoever comes in to do a good job."

The visitors, who have now not won in five matches, actually started well and went close through Grant Leadbitter - but Robert Green blocked his finish when Djibril Cisse sent him through.

Cisse had a long-range effort saved seconds before the opener. David di Michele sent Luis Boa Morte down the left flank and he squared for Stanislas to tap home.

"Junior has been a surprise," Zola said. "I knew about his technical skills but I didn't know about his mental strength."

The second goal came in the 53rd minute from Mark Noble's corner. Tomkins escaped from Sunderland centre-back Anton Ferdinand, who was given a warm reception from home fans after leaving West Ham this season, and headed home.

The hosts were given a scare when Jonathan Spector required lengthy treatment and was carried off on a stretcher following an aerial collision with Tal Ben-Haim.

Luckily for the American, there was no serious damage. "He lost consciousness and his short memory," Zola said. "But he is fine now."