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Sullivan tight-lipped on Hammers display

West Ham were comprehensively beaten by Liverpool © Getty Images

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West Ham co-owner David Sullivan refused to comment on the team's performance after Gianfranco Zola's side were completely outplayed in their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Monday night.

The result leaves the Hammers just three points from safety with three games remaining, but Sullivan would not be drawn on a comment, instead praising the 1500 Hammers fans who travelled to Anfield.

Sullivan and co-owner David Gold have been criticised in many quarters for their recent outspoken comments about team affairs, but appear to have twice garnered a response from the team with reactions manifesting themselves on the pitch.

"I don't want to say anything about the team and the performance," Sullivan told Soccernet. "The supporters were magnificent and a real credit to the club."

Manager Zola defended his tactics after the game and insisted team morale was still high despite the defeat.

"[It will] Not [damage morale] at all," Zola told ESPN. "We just had a chat in the changing room and I am not concerned at all. No problem.

"We started well. We were quite comfortable on the pitch. We suffered on dead balls - normally we are very good defending against them but not today. The first goal was a killer, I felt we were on top of the game. The second was a distraction, that was a killer."

Despite Zola's defiant defence of himself and his team, it appears certain that he won't be there next season, with a decision for him to go already taken on principle.

After such a difficult season, it is likely Zola is ready to leave anyway, with popular Hamburg boss Martin Jol one name heavily linked with the Hammers hotseat after impressing in German football.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.