Gianfranco Zola claims that West Ham United will not require significant upgrading in the transfer market this summer if they are asked to cope with the extra demands of the Europa League. The West Ham manager saw his team produce the requisite combination of silk and steel to become the first side to beat Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium this year and so move back into seventh place in the Barclays Premier League.

Qualifying for Europe in his first season in management would be a big credit on Zola’s CV, even if he admits that he will have to start the job all over again. Having succeeded Alan Curbishley in September, Zola will be encountering his first close season and his first summer transfer market.

However, despite the manner in which some clubs have felt obliged to prioritise the Premier League because of the excessive number of games in Europe’s secondary competition, Zola is convinced that he would not have to enlarge his squad unduly. “I’m sure the club is ready to face the challenge,” he said. “Trust me, we don’t need much investment. We have a good base. The most difficult job had to be done this year.”

The amiable Sardinian clearly has great faith in his and Steve Clarke’s coaching ability and that was substantiated by West Ham’s approach on Saturday. From Stoke’s set-plays, they left the penalty area less congested to allow Robert Green to come out and gather what he could, while Matthew Upson and company shackled Ricardo Fuller and James Beattie superbly.

Despite their fans fighting with police in the stands, the Irons showed their mettle where it mattered most. Yet Stoke could still count themselves unfortunate not to gain the points to guarantee their safety. Mark Noble cleared off the line from Abdoulaye Faye’s header but Diego Tristán had already produced the best piece of skill, a free kick into the top corner.

Stoke City (4-4-2): T Sorensen 6 — A Wilkinson 5 (sub: I Sonko, 88min), Abdoulaye Faye 7, R Shawcross 6, D Pugh 6 (sub: S Olofinjana, 73) — L Lawrence 5, G Whelan 7, R Delap 6, M Etherington 6 — J Beattie 5 (sub: H Camara, 73), R Fuller 5. Substitutes not used: S Simonsen, R Cresswell, S Kelly, M Tonge. Booked: Delap, Lawrence, Shawcross. Next: Hull (a).

West Ham United (4-4-2): R Green 7 — L Neill 6, J Tomkins 6, M Upson 7, H Ilunga 6 — L Boa Morte 6 (sub: J Collison, 82), R Kovac 5, M Noble 6 (sub: W López, 87), J Stanislas 7 — D Di Michele 4 (sub: F Sears, 89), D Tristán 5. Substitutes not used: J Lastuvka, J Spector, J Payne, Z Hines. Booked: Boa Morte, Neill. Next: Liverpool (h).

Referee: P Walton Attendance: 27,500