Zola - Scoreline was unfair

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola believes his side's 4-1 defeat to Chelsea was an unfair scoreline.

The Hammers went into the break on level terms at Stamford Bridge after Scott Parker's sweet half-volley cancelled out Alex's earlier header.

But they were undone by second-half goals from Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba (2), and they slipped to their third loss in as many games.

Zola was not dejected after the final whistle though, and says the scoreline flattered his former team.

Asked whether it was a fair result, he told Sky Sports: "I think not because I think it is too much for my team. For the way we played, the way we worked - 4-1 doesn't in my opinion reflect a fair result.

"Probably they deserved to win because obviously Chelsea is a good team and they produced some good chances, good football, but 4-1 I think is too much for my team."

Zola made a number of changes for the game, leaving Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti on the bench and Guillermo Franco out of the squad.

However, the Italian tactician did not blame the defeat on his selection decisions.

Asked if his changes worked, he added: "Looking at the result I would say no but I think some were necessary and for a while I think it worked quite okay.

"I don't think the difference was the changes that we made I think it was the fact that the second game came at a moment where in my opinion we were playing better than Chelsea, and that second goal killed everybody."

Relegation threat

The defeat leaves the Hammers looking over their shoulders at the bottom of the Premier League table, and Zola knows they are in a relegation fight.

"We know that we are not in a safe zone, we know that," he remarked.

"But we are confident that we have enough in our bag and we are determined to leave that position quick."

West Ham take on Arsenal in their next game, and Zola believes they must try and get something at the Emirates.

"It is not easy but that doesn't mean that we cannot go there and beat them," he said.

Asked on his opinion on who will win the title, Zola replied: "I think Chelsea are one of the favourites. I think Manchester United look good as well but don't forget Arsenal don't have to play any of the others.

"That is a big advantage as Chelsea and Manchester United have to play against each other.

"So there might be an opportunity for them."

Barclays Premier League - To win outright - Chelsea 6/4