Graphic: Premier League tactical analysis

A cynic might say that anyone could have been in charge against Newcastle United and won, but Gianfranco Zola, making his managerial debut, won more than three points. He won over the West Ham United fans, who are notoriously hard to please, he impressed the players and wooed the media. Newcastle may be a limping zebra in full sight of all predators, but this victory belonged to the diminutive Sardinian.

“He is a calm man, when he speaks you listen, he commands respect. He was a brilliant player. He left behind an aura,” Scott Parker, who arrived at Chelsea in the 2003-2004 season after Zola had left, said. Zola told the players to enjoy themselves, control the game and be patient. Crucially, he told David Di Michele to sharpen up in front of goal, which the on-loan Italian did, scoring twice and setting up a third goal.

“I told Di Michele he can do unbelievable things, but he needs to improve his finishing – which shows he listens to me very carefully,” Zola said. “I have seen him in Italy many times doing unbelievable things, but then coming in front of the goalkeeper and missing. Today he did not do that, so I am very pleased.”

Di Michele, on his home debut, soared from being a “Who is he, again?” sort of player to the next Paolo Di Canio. Di Michele, capped six times for Italy, has played for seven Italian clubs and at 32 seems an unlikely star in the making. His first goal was fortunate, the ball looping in over the head of Shay Given from a nasty deflection off Steven Taylor. His second owed more to his quick reactions. After the Italian’s initial effort had been saved by Given’s head, Di Michele scampered after the loose ball and beat Taylor to open up a second chance.

“There is an immediate understanding with the manager because we come from the same football culture,” Di Michele said. “This is a new adventure for the manager and for all of us. We are all united to go forward and do our best for him because he is a great person. For me, it was an atmosphere that I am not used to. It was unbelievable and the fans helped me to focus.”

Parker said: “As a midfielder it was particularly good playing with him [Di Michele] because it was easy to find him. He can’t speak a word of English, but if he keeps banging them in like he did today he can speak whatever language he likes.”

It was Newcastle who looked the team with a language barrier. Their fans lapped up the sunshine and sang heartily, Chris Hughton, their caretaker manager, refused to blame the ownership crisis, but the players performed as if trapped in a corny soap opera.

Hughton said that his experienced players are doing their best – “your Michael Owens, your Nicky Butts, your Shay Givens, Steve Harper, Gérémi. These are experienced players who have seen mangers go and therefore become even more important in these sorts of situations.”

But if Owen is offered a package – Liverpool and Everton are keen – that could rescue him from the nightmare at St James’ Park, he would surely take it.

There were plenty of glimpses of Owen’s class, not least in the manner in which he took his goal, but it is unlikely that he will present Fabio Capello, the England manager, with a selection dilemma while part of such a hapless club.

And so, as happens every season, Newcastle pin their hopes on the cup competitions. On Wednesday, they are at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Hughton acted as caretaker manager at White Hart Lane after the departure of Christian Gross in 1998 and said that he has been thanked by the Newcastle board for taking temporary charge at Newcastle. He has no idea, however, how much longer he will be running the team.

“The fans see no confidence in us,” Gérémi said. “We have to show on Wednesday that that is not the case. We have to stick together. We need the fans to help us win. You can get into Europe from this competition. We need that cup.”

Long-suffering Newcastle fans might be tempted to tell Gérémi not to hold his breath.

West Ham (4-3-2-1): R Green 5 - J Faubert 5 L Neill 7 M Upson 5 H Ilunga 5 - V Behrami 5 M Noble 6 S Parker 6 - D Di Michele 8 M Etherington 7 - C Cole 6 Substitutes: H Mullins (for Parker, 72), L Boa Morte (for Etherington, 73), F Sears (for Cole, 87). Not used: J Lastuvka, W Lopez, C Davenport, K Reid.

Newcastle (4-4-2): S Given 5 - D Edgar 4 S Taylor 3 F Coloccini 4 C N’Zogbia 5 Gérémi 5 N Butt 6 C Cacapa 4 D Duff 4 M Owen 7 Xisco 4 Substitutes S Bassong (for Edgar, 59 4), N González (for Cacapa, 81). Not used: S Harper, F Ameobi, B Tozer, M Doninger, R Donaldson.