West Ham 1
Bolton 3
(Premier League)

WEST HAM suffered their first league defeat under Gianfranco Zola as Bolton's smash and grab tactics paid dividends at Upton Park this afternoon.

The Italian, who had won his first two league games in charge, had said before the game that he wanted his side to play like Arsenal. Well, if that meant being dictated to by a physical and well drilled outfit from the north - they did.

Bolton were simply too organised for the Hammers to break down. While they huffed and puffed, Zola's men never looked jaded and never in hope of claiming victory.

That's not to say they did not have their chances.

Carlton Cole and David Di Michele both tried to open the deadlock with driven efforts in the opening 25 minutes.

But, just as they were really starting to dictate play, keeper Robert Green made an uncharacteristic error to gift the visitors the lead.

The former Norwich keeper looked in control as he came to collect a hopeful Jlloyd Samuel cross on 30 minutes. But he let the ball slip through his grasp where the grateful Kevin Davies was on hand to prod into the empty net.

And things went from bad to worse for Green moments later. He initially got down well to save Gretar Steinsson's snap-shot, but failed to cling on to it.

Defender Gary Cahill reacted quickest to the loose ball and poked home.

The Hammers came out with renewed vigour after the interval and began shifting the ball with slightly more purpose.

Cole went close to reducing the arrears with a curling effort that looked destined for the top corner until Jussi Jaaskelainen managed to claw onto the post.

Hope was restored for the Hammers when Cole headed in-off the crossbar from close range after Matthew Upson had guided a corner back into the Bolton danger area.

But Trotters substitute Matt Taylor wrapped up the visitor's win five minutes from time with a rasping 30-yard free kick that deceived Green and flew into the bottom corner.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Ilunga, Upson, Neill, Behrami, Parker, Noble, Etherington (Sears 78), Di Michele (Bellamy 54), Cole: Subs: Lastuvka, Lopez, Davenport, Mullins, Boa Morte.