Gianfranco Zola included Mido in the starting eleven against Stoke City but the Egyptian striker failed to repay his coach's faith by spurning a clear-cut opportunity in West Ham United's 1-0 defeat. The Hammers came close to scoring three minutes past the half-hour mark when Carlton Cole fired a fierce shot from outside the area. Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen blocked his effort but the ball fell in Mido's path few yards away from the target. The 27-year-old failed to score on the rebound although he was unmarked. He tried to control the ball but awkwardly stumbled to allow Stoke's defenders to clear the danger. Earlier on nine minutes, Mido prevented the visitors from breaking the deadlock by clearing an Abdoulaye Faye header off the line. The former Zamalek prodigy made way for Benedict McCarthy nine minutes from time. Mido has featured for West Ham in eight games since his arrival at Upton Park, but is yet to score his maiden goal. Ricardo Fuller notched Stoke's winner in the 69th minute. On slumping to an embarrassing defeat in Saturday's match, West Ham's losing streak was extended to six matches. Zola's team now lie 17th near the relegation zone with 27 points.
