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Wigan 1-0 West Ham: Hugo Rodallega downs Hammers
The Latics are back to winning ways
Sep 12, 2009 12:59:26 PM
Wigan Athletic bagged a much-needed victory at the DW Stadium with Hugo Rodallega scoring the goal that was enough to sink visitors West Ham United.
A lively game was goalless at half time yet it wasn’t without its chances with the visitors a little unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty in the opening minutes after Maynor Figueroa brought down Zavon Hines.
However, referee Alan Wiley waved play on and moments later Wigan had forced Robert Green into a super save through Jordi Gomez who saw his shot pushed around the post by the England stopper.
Yet Chris Kirkland in the opposite goal was also being called into frequent action. The Wigan ‘keeper tipped a Hines effort around the post just before the half hour mark and had to be alive to deny the striker again moments later. Hines cut in from the left flank and tried to curl an effort past Kirkland who was equal to it.
Yet just before the break the action switched to the other end with Hugo Rodallega almost breaking the deadlock with a fierce shot from outside the area which took a wicked deflection off Matthew Upson and looked to be looping over Green who did well to tip it over the bar.
As the interval beckoned Carlton Cole did manage to get the ball in the back of the net after latching onto the end of a long ball from Kirkland and neatly dispatching it home, however he was denied by the referee.
The deadlock didn’t last long in the second half, however, with Mario Melchiot’s cross finding Jason Koumas and whilst Green blocked his shot he could do nothing about Rodallega who converted the rebound to hand Wigan the lead.
Yet the Hammers had a glorious chance to equalize almost immediately. A corner found an unmarked James Tomkins who contrived to head wide from all of six yards.
The danger hadn’t passed though and moments later another corner caused panic, finding Scott Parker at the far post but Kirkland managed to tip his effort over the bar.
With defeat looming Gianfranco Zola opted to change things, sending on Alessandro Diamanti for his debut and Valon Behrami a welcome return after a long injury.
Indeed it was Diamanti who came closest to grabbing a point for the visitors. The Italian picked up the ball from a throw, cut inside before curling a super shot that beat Kirkland but rebounded to safety off the post.
It was the closest West Ham were to come but ultimately Wigan held on to secure their first points since the opening day.
Gill Clark, Goal.com
For more news from the EPL visit Goal.com's England page.
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