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"To be honest, only during the first 20 minutes of the game today were we really poor," said Zola. "We didn't start the way we should've done and that gave them an advantage. They deserved to score in those first 20 minutes but after that, it was us who had so many chances but, unfortunately, we didn't convert them.
"Their second goal was one of those which you can only applaud, when somebody puts the ball in the top corner like that. After that it was chance after chance for us. We got one goal, saw another disallowed and had so many chances. I don't think that we could've done better than that. My only regret was the first 20 minutes. It wasn't enough.
"Mistakes are always very costly and, obviously, we have to make sure that we cut them out as much as possible. I think that's been the story of our whole season. Sometimes we play some good football and sometimes we've lost games through mistakes."
On seeing his side back in the relegation places, Zola added: "I'm more disappointed about being in the bottom three than worried but we have enough to do better and we saw that today. We have to be quick to get the three new players into our system and it was encouraging in that way, today. We have to start using the whole 90 minutes that we have at our disposal.
"When you come up against teams like Burnley, who are playing for their lives, it's difficult because they will come out firing and we have to do the same. After those first 20 minutes, we wanted it as badly as Burnley."
And on his three new signings, he said: "Benni McCarthy tried very hard. He had an opportunity and then he had a problem with his knee. I'm sure that Benni can do much better. His knee shouldn't be too bad but we'll assess him on Sunday.
"Mido was excellent. He really did well. I'm pleased with him, and Ilan came on and scored. It's all very encouraging but now we have to be quick because time is running out and we need to start winning games. The table requires that.
"In recent weeks we've improved but today we've taken a little step back but we will come back stronger. I'm sure about that. Burnley won the game and, psychologically, it was very important for them to win. They did well but there are still a lot of games left this season and there's still a long way to go."
There really was no disguising Brian Laws' delight as that final whistle blew, and he was still as pleased when he spoke after the game. "We have been hunting for that first win, but there has been no sign of panic," he said.
"Everyone, even the staff behind the scenes, have been going round with a smile on their faces and it's a huge, huge win. I am delighted for the chairman, the board, the players and the fans because you talk about games you have to win, and this was one of them.
"That brought pressure in itself, but the way we went about it, the game plan and the way the players accepted how we are going to play, I thought they were magnificent.
"Especially in the first half, we looked assured, we passed the ball well, we were creative and Nugent scored a fantastic goal. That set the tone of the game and it gave us belief because we haven't been in this position for such a long time.
"The fans played a huge part, but to play under that kind of pressure shows the players are capable of getting a result and no matter how we get them now, it has to be done. If we are to have a chance, we have to start winning games like this, so credit to the lads."
He continued: "It was a nervy last ten minutes, let me tell you, but it was unknown territory and we lost a little bit of shape. West Ham threw the kitchen sink at us and we were fortunate when they hit the post.
"We dropped a little too deep at the end, which is understandable in the circumstances, but the amount of bodies we put behind the ball we got there in the end."
Laws was also pleased with his debutant Danny Fox. "Danny has had a fantastic debut and you can't ask more from a left back than setting a goal up and scoring one. He was a smart acquisition and there is a lot more to come from him.
"He got a little cramp towards the end because he hasn't played for a while. But he wasn't the only one to impress. There is a great belief in the camp now and that gives us a real chance."
He also explained his decision to leave Chris Eagles on the subs bench. "Leaving Chris out was a tough decision because he hasn't done anything wrong," Laws confirmed. "I just felt that the way they would play suited others.
"I think the result justifies the decision, but it's not just about leaving players out. It's about picking the right team and next time someone else could miss out.
"Chris is a good player and he will find himself back in the team sooner rather than later. He has nothing to worry about. He's the fans' favourite here and we all know what he is capable of."