In Gianfranco Zola's first game as West Ham manager, his side didn't disappoint taking a convincing 3 points against a Newcastle side that look about as organised as a Russian Infrantry Corps. Excellent performance all round, Scott Parker is the driving force of our midfield but no clean sheet in 14 is a concern.

Newcastle were poor, didn't defend well at all, let players slip into space and gave West Ham too much time on the ball. So when Di Michele dribbled in from the inside right channel and dodged a few weak challenges and shot at goal, it was just Newcastle's luck that it hit Taylor and went over Given for a 1-0. The 2nd goal was more dodgy defending but excellent play by Parker and Noble in the midfield, the latter threaded it through to Di Mechele with his original shot saved by Given, he cleverly outfoxed a lunging Taylor and finished well into the bottom corner to Given's left. At half-time, West Ham went in looking comfortable and the 2nd half started on the same note, good play down the right saw Etherington tuck in a simple finish from Di Mechele's low cross. Game over....you would think anyway, there was time for Owen to score a nice curled goal into the bottom corner after wrongfooting Neill. But it didn't matter, West Ham withstood the pressure and another home win for the Hammers and I can assure you The Toom fans aren't happy.

Ratings for WHUFC:

Green - 7 - Couldn't do anything about the Owen goal and wasn't called upon to make a really decent save so it was just another consistent Green performance saving the shots he should save.

Ilunga - 7 - Gotta get used to Ilunga noy Linda but Ilunga was good down the left today, got forward as much as he could and N'Zogbia lost the personal battle with him today.

Upson - 8 - Solid, great positioning all day and read the game so well...

Neill - 5 - Didn't convince me at Centre back, looked a little out of place for me, made a slight error as Owen bamboozled him. Bit like Michael Vaughan in the last months of his captaincy, only in the team because he is captain. But who knows what contribution he makes to the organisation of things?

Faubert - 7 - Not as good as he was against Blackburn, I think he spent most the game at Right back though and he still threatened with some good crosses.

Etherington - 9 - He was superb today, full of running causing the full back problems, getting good balls in and linknig up well. His goal was just to round off a good performance.

Parker - 9 - Man of the match because like he did at Blackburn, he bossed the game from midfield. He drove forward with real venom, was invovled in all the goals. Crisp passing and decisive tackling just round off his display today, if he had got on the scoresheet, it would have been a 10.

Noble - 6 - For Noble, Parker made it a bit easier for him. He seemed to just sit back like Michael Carrick in a way and make passes. Had a few shots as well....

Behrami - 6 - Him and Faubert had a decent game down the right. To be fair I didn't really concentrate on him or Faubert but I can't fault anyone in a West Ham shirt today...who isn't Australian

Cole - 8 - Another great game for cole, his physical presence is always a positive factor and his work rate. What I like about him best is his hold up play, he really was a handful.

Di Michele - 9 - Exactly what West Ham needed, a bit of flair class on the ball. Bit like Ashton really, very good technical play and his 2 goals will show. Despite 2 goals, he does hold onto the ball for a bit too long which is why he wasn't my M-O-M. Still, great home debut and I look forward to seeing more...

Subs:

Mullins (for Parker) 7 - Came in to his holding role and Newcastle weren't the same afterwards when they looked to be building pressure.

Boa Morte (Etherington) - 6 - Looked lively on the ball, skipping past a few players and getting down the left a few times but missed a great late chance to make it 4-1 and he cost me £16!!! Lacks the finishing touch...

Sears (Cole) - 6 - Very lively 5 minutes, his first touch almost brought a penalty and his second almost got him around Taylor and in on goal but he went down, either on purpose or he was blocked. I'll have to see the replay later.