Three priceless points for the Upton Park outfit.
West Ham United earned a hard fought victory over Wigan Athletic at Upton Park to boost their bid for survival in the Premier League.
Jonathan Spector opened the scoring at the wrong end by scoring an own goal, but the hosts showed great spirit to come back from a goal down to take the lead through goals from Ilan and Radoslav Kovac. A goal in the second period from Hugo Rodallega restored parity in the game, but a wonder strike from Scott Parker saw the Upton Park faithful go home happy.
Jonathan Spector opened the scoring at the wrong end by scoring an own goal, but the hosts showed great spirit to come back from a goal down to take the lead through goals from Ilan and Radoslav Kovac. A goal in the second period from Hugo Rodallega restored parity in the game, but a wonder strike from Scott Parker saw the Upton Park faithful go home happy.
The Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola - whose future has been a subject of much speculation in recent times - received a major boost for this fixture through the return of midfielder Parker, who completed serving a two-match ban. There were a few lingering doubts whether striker Carlton Cole would start the game, as a knee problem had caused him to be substituted during the recent 3-0 loss at Liverpool. But the former Chelsea hitman made the starting line-up for this game
Meanwhile, Latics manager Roberto Martinez welcomed back Gary Caldwell into the back-line, as a defender completed serving a three-match suspension following a sending off against Manchester City earlier. Hendry Thomas was missing as a thigh injury forced the midfielder to remain sidelined.
The home side got off to a nightmare start in a must-win game with regard to their battle for survival, as defender Spector scored an unfortunate own goal in the third minute to hand the visitors an early lead. A corner kick from Ben Watson resulted in a little confusion in the box, which in turn caused the American to take his eyes off the ball - which struck his shoulder before going past goalkeeper Robert Green.
Four minutes later, Cole was through on goal, and the striker even got past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, but a shot that lacked power saw Caldwell clear the ball off the line.
There was some contact between the forward and the shot-stopper as the former made his way past Kirkland, and the 'keeper had to receive some treatment due to cuts around his mouth. Luckily for the Latics, their custodian was able to continue.
A third of the game had been completed when James McCarthy unleashed a bullet from 30-yards out, but Green got his fingertips to the ball before it rattled the bar and rolled away.
The hosts immediately pushed forward at the other end, as Ilan passed the ball to Cole, who in turn made his way through two defenders before sending it back for the Brazilian for a simple tap in from close range. This was the striker's third goal in his last four appearances for the club.
In the meantime, Marcelo Moreno appeared to be struggling with an injury and was replaced as young forward Victor Moses was ushered in to the action.
West Ham managed to come from behind and take the lead through a headed goal from Kovac during the dying moments of the first-half. A free-kick from Mark Noble produced a superb save from Kirkland, but the rebound came to the former Czech Republic international, who headed the ball in from two yards out.
The Claret-and-blue boys began the second period in nervous manner, giving the ball away easily. And Martinez's men managed to capitalise on this when a corner from Watson saw Moses flick the ball onto Rodallega, who guided the ball over the line.
A few Hammers players remonstrated with the referee by claiming that the Colombia international had scored using his hand, but the man in charge allowed the goal to stand following some consultation with the linesman.
Following the leveller, the game turned into a scrappy affair for a while, before the hosts began to push forward to reclaim the lead. This soon paid off, as the balance of the game was again upset when Parker produced a sensational long range effort to score the fifth goal of the game. The former Newcastle United midfielder received the ball from Guillermo Franco and sent in a screamer from 30-yards, leaving the goalkeeper with little or no chance.
Wigan turned their focus on the attacking third of the pitch, having gone down for a second time during the game. But the Hammers' defence held firm to ensure that three points were the order of the day.
This victory coupled with Hull City's loss to Sunderland takes West Ham six points clear of the relegation zone for the moment.
The home side got off to a nightmare start in a must-win game with regard to their battle for survival, as defender Spector scored an unfortunate own goal in the third minute to hand the visitors an early lead. A corner kick from Ben Watson resulted in a little confusion in the box, which in turn caused the American to take his eyes off the ball - which struck his shoulder before going past goalkeeper Robert Green.
Four minutes later, Cole was through on goal, and the striker even got past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, but a shot that lacked power saw Caldwell clear the ball off the line.
There was some contact between the forward and the shot-stopper as the former made his way past Kirkland, and the 'keeper had to receive some treatment due to cuts around his mouth. Luckily for the Latics, their custodian was able to continue.
A third of the game had been completed when James McCarthy unleashed a bullet from 30-yards out, but Green got his fingertips to the ball before it rattled the bar and rolled away.
The hosts immediately pushed forward at the other end, as Ilan passed the ball to Cole, who in turn made his way through two defenders before sending it back for the Brazilian for a simple tap in from close range. This was the striker's third goal in his last four appearances for the club.
In the meantime, Marcelo Moreno appeared to be struggling with an injury and was replaced as young forward Victor Moses was ushered in to the action.
West Ham managed to come from behind and take the lead through a headed goal from Kovac during the dying moments of the first-half. A free-kick from Mark Noble produced a superb save from Kirkland, but the rebound came to the former Czech Republic international, who headed the ball in from two yards out.
The Claret-and-blue boys began the second period in nervous manner, giving the ball away easily. And Martinez's men managed to capitalise on this when a corner from Watson saw Moses flick the ball onto Rodallega, who guided the ball over the line.
A few Hammers players remonstrated with the referee by claiming that the Colombia international had scored using his hand, but the man in charge allowed the goal to stand following some consultation with the linesman.
Following the leveller, the game turned into a scrappy affair for a while, before the hosts began to push forward to reclaim the lead. This soon paid off, as the balance of the game was again upset when Parker produced a sensational long range effort to score the fifth goal of the game. The former Newcastle United midfielder received the ball from Guillermo Franco and sent in a screamer from 30-yards, leaving the goalkeeper with little or no chance.
Wigan turned their focus on the attacking third of the pitch, having gone down for a second time during the game. But the Hammers' defence held firm to ensure that three points were the order of the day.
This victory coupled with Hull City's loss to Sunderland takes West Ham six points clear of the relegation zone for the moment.
(taken from goal.com)
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