West Ham Secure Revenge over Wigan

West Ham secured their Premier League status with a great 2-0 win over struggling Wigan Athletic on a sun light Saturday at Upton Park.
The Hammers were out for revenge over the Latics, of whom had relegated them two seasons ago in a goal filled 3-2 game. The Hammers were two up before letting slip of the game.


The game got off to a regular start, but a a few tackles were definitely thrown into the mix early on. West Ham were on the back of the 2-2 draw with champions elect Manchester United, and were starving for three points over Roberto Martinez's Wigan.

The first real chance of the game came for Wigan as Maloney was played through on goal. It was up to Jussi Jaaskelainen to keep him out as a beautifully weighted through ball reached the midfielder, however, the Finnish stopper Jaaskelainen was at his best and hurried to the challenge to keep him out with a fine one on one stop.

West Ham pressed for the next few minutes and Ricardo Vaz Te linked well with right back Guy Demel to break down the Wigan defence. However, it was Vaz Te's opposite in Matt Jarvis who provided the break through with an in-swinging cross. Kevin Nolan dived in with his foot but narrowly missed, as did Vaz Te, and the ball calmly found its way into the net; straight from Jarvis' cross. The ball - untouched - crossed the line and Jarvis had bagged himself the opener.

For much of the game the sides were level with West Ham's shooting being much better, but come the second half, a revolutionised Wigan side came out pressing for an equaliser, but the agile keeper in Jaaskelainen was there to keep them at bay furthermore.

Kevin Nolan was in sight of his 100th career goal in the wake of his auntie's death. The prolific midfielder hadn't been in the best of forms as of late, but today was the day he'd pick that back up.

Andy Carroll was up to his mischievous self causing havoc in the opposition half with his aerial dominance and his sheer strength. An early yellow card had kept him much more quieter than usual, but he was still in his top form of which could earn him a summer move; West Ham are battling with Newcastle to get the Englishman.

The second goal of the game came ten minutes from time as a lofted ball was met by an Andy Carroll overhead kick, however it was just a pass, not a shot. Carroll, with his back to goal, directed to the ball into the presence of Nolan, and he made no mistake in converting with a fine volley into the Wigan net.
Nolan didn't partake in his usual chicken dance celebration due to being rugby tackled to the floor from his best friend Carroll, and he then pointed to the skies in sheer adulation, dedicating the goal to his late aunt.

West Ham now sit in 10th spot, as the season draws close to the end. The Hammers are now safe from relegation in terms of average numbers from past seasons, as they hit the 40th point mark. From here, the Hammers are set to push on for a greater finish, to finish the season an absolute high! This win almost seals the potential new contract for Sam Allardyce.

Ben Edkins (@benedkins12)