West Ham 1 Manchester City 1

With Premier League safety assured the Hammers' played with a lot more freedom and confidence, giving fans a frustrating glimpse of what might have been had things been handled differently off the pitch.

As it was, Luis Boa Morte - making his first competitive start for the Irons in a year - scored only his second ever goal for the Irons in what will surely be his last appearance for the club.

In the 17th minute the Portuguese winger was played through on goal with a delightful backheel from Alessandro Diamanti, and Boa Morte made no mistake as he clipped the ball over the advancing Marton Fulop into the corner of the net.

Boa Morte has often been the target of the Upton Park boo boys, but there was no hiding the mutual joy as the player and the fans celebrated the goal.

He earned a booking for removing his shirt during the celebration - surely a rule that needs to be scrapped sooner rather than later - but Boa Morte deserved his goal as he put in a decent performance until he was substituted on 64 minutes.

Shaun Wright-Phillips spoiled the party mood on 21 minutes, when he leapt like a salmon at the far post to head home Adam Johnson fine right-wing cross.

Johnson proved a constant thorn in the Hammers' side, although young left-back Fabio Daprela generally coped well with him, apart from the goal.

For West Ham Diamanti shone, showing all his usual flair and commitment, but also a better attitude for a change.

Underused by Zola in recent weeks, as the Irons sacrificed skill for pragmatism in their desperate relegation fight, Diamanti showed he would be most effective playing just behind the front two, where his clever prompting and perception can influence the game.

City had a good shout for a penalty ignored by referee Howard Webbon 25 minutes.

Johnson weaved his way along the edge of the box and was clumsily brought down by Matthew Upson, but Webb ruled the England defender had won the ball, although replays clearly showed he had not.

Inevitably, with neither side having anything much to play for the game began to drift after the early excitement of the goals, although there were chances created and wasted at both ends.

Diamanti hit the base of City's post with a 34th minute shot, surprising both the goalkeeper and himself by using the right foot he normally favours for standing on.

Emmanuel Adebayor was thwarted by Rob Green, who blocked his shot from 12 yards with his body, while Santa Cruz wasted a free header from a corner.

The biggest cheer of the day came when former Hammer of the Year Carlos Tevez stepped onto the pitch as a 74th minute substitute for Roque Santa Cruz.

The little Argentinian, who played a major role in saving West Ham from relegation in 2007, almost punished his old club five minutes later when he was first to the ball six yard from Green's goal but lifted his chip onto the roof of the net.

Jordan Spence became the latest Academy graduate to play for the Irons first team when he came on three minutes from time, although the youngster had little chance to make his mark on proceedings.

And that was that, as far as this season goes. With players set to leave Upton Park, and new ones coming in over the summer it promises to be an interesting time for Hammers' fans.

Zola's own future could be decided as early as tomorrow, when he meets co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold. He appeared to be looking forward to it.

He said: "We will have a chat. It is going to be a long and interesting chat.

"The point is talking to them and finding out what is the best thing to do.

"It's not for me to say if I have the managerial qualities, but I enjoyed it very much the last year, this year a little bit less, but I know where the faults and the mistakes lie and I will be working on them."

Whether that will be at West Ham remains to be seen, but supporters should be grateful that Zola has kept their team in the Premier League in trying circumstances.

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Daprela, Upson, Da Costa, Parker, Boa Morte (Stanislas, 64), Diamanti (Spence, 87), Kovac, Cole (Franco, 64), Ilan. Unused subs: Kurucz, Gabbidon, McCarthy, Spector.

Booked: Boa Morte, Daprela

Goal: Boa Morte 17

Manchester City: Fulop, Zabaleta, Sylvinho (Richards, 74), Toure, Kompany, De Jong, Vieira, Wright-Phillips, Johnson (Cunningham, 89), Santa Cruz (Tevez, 74), Adebayor. Unused subs: Nielsen, Garrido, Boyota, Ibrahim.

Goal: Wright-Phillips 21

Attendance: 34,989

Referee: Howard Webb