CAIRO: Mido could not open his West Ham account against Stoke City despite having the goal at his mercy as his side eventually lost 1-0 in Saturday's Premier League game. The Egyptian striker was looking for a morale-boosting goal that could enhance his chances of staying in the elite competition beyond this season, having joined West Ham on loan in January. He was included in the starting line up to partner Carlton Cole up front as both men shouldered the attacking responsibilities of a West Ham side who fight against relegation. In the 33rd minute, a Cole shot was parried by Stoke keeper into the path of the unmarked Mido who miscued his effort from close range. "He told me it bounced too high so he couldn't convert it and that was unfortunate," West Ham coach Gianfranco Zola, whose job is on the line, told Sky Sports after the game. Mido spent the first half of the season on loan at Cairo giants Zamalek, where he struggled for consistency. He scored just one goal with the White Knights before moving to West Ham on loan until the end of the season with the hope of resurrecting his career in the Premier League. It remains to be seen whether Mido, who is due to return to English second-division side Middlesbrough at the end of the season, could earn a permanent stay at West Ham.
