Zola: Up for the challenge

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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola believes the Premier League is becoming more of an even playing field.

While there may still only be a handful of teams with realistic ambitions of taking the title, the gap between those at the top and those leading the chasing pack is closing by the year.

The so-called 'big four' are finding it increasingly difficult to grind out results on home turf against plucky visitors who are determined to battle and scrap for all they can get.

The Hammers have certainly proven to be a case in point of late, securing hard-fought draws at both Liverpool and Chelsea in their last two games on the road.

Zola feels this is because the lower-profile teams are now more organised and better prepared to take on the task of frustrating title challengers in intimidating surroundings.

Tactics

"I don't think it is only at Chelsea," said Zola.

"It seems to me Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are all dropping points and they all play in the Champions League.

"I would also say the smaller teams are getting more organised and playing more tactically. This is making it more difficult for the big teams to beat them.

"This is a very competitive championship and the competition is making everybody else better, including the smaller teams and that is certainly another reason."

Determination

West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who starred in the club's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, also believes that the right work ethic can sometimes help to bridge the quality divide.

"I think it was clear that we have spirit," he said.

"We have something there that you need and, with the league being so tight - that two good wins move you up or two bad results put you in trouble - the spirit and determination is something you need and we definitely have that.

"We want to push on again now, we have had two away games against two teams from the top four and in those games we have shown we have matched and played better at times than them.

"Hopefully we can take that into the next few games."