GIANFRANCO ZOLA hailed his West Ham team's 'brilliant' fightback to claim an unlikely draw against title-chasing Arsenal at Upton Park yesterday (Sunday).

The Hammers looked dead and buried at half-time, after goals from Robin Van Persie and William Gallas had put the visitors 2-0 up.

But the hosts hit back in a thrilling second half, with goals from Carlton Cole and substitute Alessandro Diamanti salvaging a vital point.

And Zola was delighted with his players' efforts. “It was the best thing of today's game along with the participation and the support that the crowd gave us. It is not a victory, but it sounds like it and that is what I was looking for.

“Last week I saw something changing and that is very important and today I've seen something more and it is very encouraging for me to be honest.

“Trust me, it was difficult to come back from this situation and they did it brilliantly. I am very pleased and proud of them.”

He also praised the impact of Diamanti, whose free-kick lead to the team's first goal, before he stepped up to dispatch the decisive second goal from the penalty spot, after Cole had been fouled in the area.

Zola said: “Diamanti made a real difference, and (Zavon) Hines when he came on. I am pleased because Alessandro is someone who can give us something extra.”

Two defensive mistakes cost the team in the first half. First, Robert Green succeeded only in colliding with defender James Tomkins when he tried to reach a Bacary Sagna cross, and Van Persie was on hand to tap in for he opener.

Left-back Herita Ilunga was guilty of letting Gallas get the better of him, as the Gunners' defender was able to rise highest and head home Van Persie's corner.

But everything changed in the second half, and Zola insisted it was simply a matter of encouraging his players at the break.

“What we said to each other was that we must fight until the end, that is what we are here for, we do give everything and at the end of the game we see what happens,” he said.

“We have the quality. I'm sure this team has the quality and we now just need a bit more confidence because right now it is not great because of our position. Every time we make a mistake, the opposition score, which doesn't help. We need to fight, fight, fight and then we will see at the end.”