Tristan boosts West Ham Europe hopes

Diego Tristan helped fire West Ham a bit closer to Europe on Saturday and did his hopes of earning a new contract at Upton Park the power of good in the process.

The Spanish striker hit home an unstoppable free-kick to give the Irons a deserved 1-0 win at Stoke City to push his side back into the last Europa League qualification slot.

Tristan's 33rd minute goal, his third of the season for the Hammers, earned his side a

Kieron Dyer missed the match with a muscle strain, although it is unlikely to rule him out for next Saturday's game with Liverpool.

And even better news for manager Gianfranco Zola was the return of young midfielder Jack Collison, who enjoyed an eight-minute run-out after recovering from a serious knee injury.

But it was Tristan who stole the headlines and as far as Zola is concerned the former Deportivo La Coruna striker has hit form just at the right time.

He said: "Diego Tristan has got quality but also a lot of strength of mind. I can rely on him. He can produce something special in a moment."

And Zola also hinted the 33-year-old could have done enough to earn an extension to his contract.

He said: "You never know [about extending his stay]. Why not? Diego Tristan is working very hard. I have got an open mind.

"I don't put barriers in front of me and the players. If he keeps performing like this he is doing a good job for me and for himself as well."

Stoke City: Sorensen, Wilkinson (Sonko, 88), Abdoulaye Faye, Shawcross, Pugh (Olofinjana, 73), Lawrence, Delap, Whelan, Etherington, Beattie (Camara, 72), Fuller. Unused subs: Simonsen, Cresswell, Kelly, Tonge.

Booked: Delap, Shawcross, Lawrence.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga, Stanislas, Noble (Lopez, 87), Kovac, Boa Morte (Collison, 82), Tristan, Di Michele (Sears, 89). Unused subs: Lastuvka, Spector, Payne, Hines.

Booked: Boa Morte, Neill.

Goal: Tristan 33

Attendance: 27,500

Referee: Peter Walton