Cresswell: Zaza will come good for Hammers

Simone Zaza’s first six weeks in a West Ham shirt has summed up his side’s early-season form but Aaron Cresswell is in no doubt that the on-loan striker will find his shooting boots soon.

The Hammers recorded a precious win on Saturday as Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal against Crystal Palace.

Under-fire boss Slaven Bilic unveiled a new 3-4-2-1 formation in a bid to re-energise his ailing side and it paid immediate dividends in the first half, with the returning Cresswell setting up Lanzini’s starring moment.

Left-back Cresswell spent the last 15 minutes chewing his fingernails on the bench after being shown two yellow cards – the first of which was a highly contentious decision for simulation.

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But the Hammers’ ten men withstood the Palace barrage and there was no one who put in more effort than Zaza.

And though the Italy striker has drawn a blank in his first five Premier League games – he has a staunch admirer in Cresswell.

“I thought Zaza was brilliant upfront and he is just missing a goal but he will get one soon,” he said.

“Everyone knows we have had a slow start and coming off the back of last season when we finished seventh, to start the season the way we have is very disappointing getting just one victory from seven games.

“To come to Palace which is one of the toughest places to come because the crowd are on top of you and there is a great atmosphere – to get three points is massive.”