lan, Kovac and Parker scored bring West Ham trying to stay in the Premier League

WEST HAM UNITED 3
- lan 31
- Kovac 45
- Parker 77

WIGAN ATHLETIC 2
- Spector (og) 4
- Rodallega 52

**West Ham took a giant stride towards Premier League survival with a dramatic win over fellow strugglers Wigan.

The Hammers made a nightmare start when Jonathan Spector headed Ben Watson's corner into his own net.

Ilan levelled from Carlton Cole's cross and Radoslav Kovac put West Ham ahead from the rebound after Chris Kirkland had parried Mark Noble's free-kick.

Hugo Rodallega made it 2-2 from another Watson corner but Scott Parker won it with a sensational 25-yard strike.

Hull's defeat by Sunderland means that, with two games left, they are six points behind the Hammers but with a vastly inferior goal difference.

Defeat for Burnley against Liverpool on Sunday would all but confirm that West Ham are safe and ensure that Wigan will be in the top flight next season.

It was a tense afternoon for all concerned at Upton Park, with Gianfranco Zola's side looking to bounce back from Monday's capitulation against Liverpool at Anfield and the Latics looking for the three points that they knew would keep them up.

The nerves of the home fans were not helped by Wigan's opening goal after just four minutes, with Watson's corner coming off Spector's head and bouncing past the helpless Green.

Replays showed the ball was outside the corner quadrant when Watson delivered his cross but the goal was allowed to stand.

Cole should have levelled soon afterwards when he ran clear and rounded Kirkland but he did not look up before firing goalwards, and failed to see that Gary Caldwell had got back to brilliantly block the ball on the line.

That was the only clear-cut chance created by the Hammers in the first half-hour, though, and their fans were not slow to show their displeasure, greeting every misplaced pass with loud groans and jeers.

Wigan, in contrast, were looking composed on the ball and came close to scoring a second goal when James McCarthy's fierce strike from the edge of the area was superbly tipped on to the bar by Green.

Instead of being 2-0 down, West Ham were quickly level; with a swift counter-attack seconds later ending with Cole's cross being slid home by Ilan.

The turnaround was completed on the stroke of half-time when Noble's curling free-kick was parried by Kirkland, only for Kovac to run in and nod the rebound into the empty net.

Wigan were not done yet, however, and Rodallega made it 2-2 from close range on 52 minutes after Victor Moses flicked on Watson's corner.

West Ham's players protested that the Colombian had bundled the ball home with his hand at the far post but, after consulting his linesman, referee Alan Wiley allowed the goal to stand.

Suddenly it was the Latics who were back on top and it took a good save from Green to keep out Charles N'Zogbia's free-kick.

At the other end, the Hammers threatened when Kovac's looping header bounced off the top of the bar from Noble's corner.

The game looked set for a frantic finale until, with 13 minutes left, Parker latched on to a knockdown by substitute Guillermo Franco and let fly with a low shot that fizzed past Kirkland and into the bottom corner of the net.

Wigan pressed forward but the closest they came to another equaliser was when Titus Bramble's hopeful long-range lob sailed over the top of Green's crossbar.

Source : news.bbc.co.uk

Line-Ups:

West Ham: Green, Faubert, da Costa, Upson, Spector, Behrami, Parker, Kovac, Noble, Ilan, Cole. Subs: Kurucz, Gabbidon, Franco, McCarthy, Diamanti, Daprela, Stanislas.

Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Watson, Diame, McCarthy, N'Zogbia, Moreno, Rodallega. Subs: Stojkovic, Gohouri, Scharner, Scotland, Moses, Sinclair, Boyce.

Araujo Ilan become a hero again, scoring goal at Upton Park

WEST HAM UNITED 1
- Ilan 51

SUNDERLAND 0

**SUNDERLAND are not used to having nothing to play for in early April, and judging by yesterday’s timid defeat at Upton Park it does not suit them.

The mathematicians may insist it is not yet done and dusted, but everybody knows the Black Cats will be playing Premier League football next season.

By contrast, West Ham United and their fans began the day on the edge, still in danger of swapping positions with Newcastle.

It did not bring the best out of either team, but the roars which greeted a scrappy 1-0 victory earned by another crucial Ilan goal showed just how pleased the Hammers were with an afternoon’s work which brought their first win in seven games and continued Sunderland’s miserable away form.

Like the Black Cats, West Ham may already have done enough now – not that they can afford to think that way.

The home DJ did not seem too confident before the game, judging by his surprising choice of “Highway to Hell” as pre-match music. And Gianfranco Zola’s men played like a team terrified of the fate awaiting them.

But Sunderland were so sloppy they needed one of the most laid-back footballers on the planet – Kenywyne Jones – to inject a bit of urgency.

Nervous in possession with an impatient crowd on their backs, the Hammers seemed happy to stand off their opponents. It only took even more pressure off the Black Cats’ shoulders.

So after a largely uneventful start to the game, Sunderland decided to start making problems for themselves.

Craig Gordon was very lucky not to be sent off after a couple of brainwaves late in the opening period.

The first came when he chased an aimless punt downfield. Rather than just boot it clear, the Scotland goalkeeper thought he could get a hand on it before it left his area. He couldn’t.

All Gordon managed to do was gift West Ham a free-kick on the edge of the area and when Valon Behrami tried to make the most of it, he stopped the midfielder taking it quickly. Both offences were worthy of yellow cards, but referee Mike Jones settled for the one.

Team Line-Ups:

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Upson, Da Costa, Spector; Stanislas (Franco 74), Kovac, Noble, Behrami, Ilan (Daprella 90), Cole

Sunderland: Gordon; Ferdinand, Da Silva (Benjani 88), Turner, Richardson, Henderson, Cattermole, Meyler (Jones 63), Malbranque (Zenden 72), Bent, Campbell

Goal was only a consolation from Mexican striker Guille Franco when fell 3-1 against Wolverhampton.

WEST HAM UNITED 1
- Guillermo Franco 90

WOLVEHAMPTON WANDERERS 3
- Doyle 28,
- Zubar 58,
- Jarvis 61

**Wolverhampton Wanderers produced an excellent away performance to 3-1 win at West Ham United sent them seven points clear of the danger-zone, with just seven games left to play.

In the 28th minute the visitors took the lead after a terrible mistake by James Tomkins. Kevin Doyle got into the penalty area before calmly sliding his shot past Robert Green and into the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

That goal was only a consolation, though, as Wolves got the victory they deserved leaving West Ham without a win in five matches and well and truly in a relegation battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Hammer's defence fall appart as Ronald Zubar and Matthew Jarvis struck inside three second-half minutes to lift Mick McCarthy's side seven points clear of the drop zone, in the 58th and 61th minute.

West Ham's Mexican striker Guille Franco, excellent since came off the bench to score in injury time that goal was only a consolation.

Wolves got the victory they deserved leaving West Ham without a win in five matches and well and truly in a relegation battle to stay in the Premier League.

Team Line-ups:

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela, Behrami, Kovac, Parker, Diamanti, Cole, McCarthy

Wolverhampton: Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Zubar, Elokobi, Mancienne, Henry, Jarvis, D Jones, Doyle

Two first half goals from Davies and Wilshere secured a vital away victory against relegation.

WEST HAM UNITED 1
- Diamanti 88

BOLTON WANDERERS 2
- Davies, K 10,
- Wilshere 16


**Two first half goals, including a first for Jack Wilshere, saw Bolton Wanderers secure a vital win at West Ham United, a victory that sees them leapfrog the Hammers in the table and ease their own relegation fears.

Bolton's goals came from their right flank, where Lee Chung-yong was good ascendant, in the tenth minute, the striker heading home a right wing cross from Chung-Yong Lee to hand the visitors the perfect start.

Six minutes later, Tomkins attempted to usher it out of play and Davies stole in to poke it towards the centre. To their credit, two Bolton players had ventured into the penalty area, gambling on the possibility of their captain winning the ball. One of them, Tamir Cohen, headed down and the other, Jack Wilshere, volleyed into the net.

At the last minute The home side tried to respond immediately with Alessandro Diamanti going close with a free-kick that found the roof of the Bolton net, but seconds later they were two down courtesy of Jack Wilshere and some poor West Ham defending.

Time ended without more goals achieved by both teams 1-2 result final, the visitors to victory.

Teams:

West Ham United :Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins, Scott Parker, Radoslav Kovac (Junior Stanislas, 76), Julien Faubert (Kieron Dyer, 47), Valon Behrami, Luis Guillermo Franco (Ahmed Hossam Mido, 67), Carlton Cole, Alessandro Diamanti

Bolton Wanderers :Jussi Jaaskelainen, Paul Robinson, Zat Knight, Gretar Steinsson, Sam Ricketts, Fabrice Muamba, Tamir Cohen, Chung-Yong Lee, Jack Wilshere (Matt Taylor, 78), Johan Elmander (Ricardo Gardner, 75), Kevin Davies, K

The Hammer got their second successive league win

West Ham United 3
- Behrami 3,
- Cole 59,
- Faubert 90

Hull City 0

**Phil Brown's side travelled to Upton Park searching for their first away win of the season and suffered a setback after just two minutes when Valon Behrami opened the scoring for the hosts. The Swiss midfielder played a neat one-two with Luis Guillermo Franco inside the box before poking a close range shot past Boaz Myhill.

It took the Hammers only three minutes to take the lead. Mexican Guillermo Franco was playing in his first game for over two months following an injury, and he announced his return by providing the pass for Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami who slotted the ball past the Hull goalkeeper for his second goal of the season.

Having taken a third-minute lead, the Hammers pressed forward and Scott Parker, Kovac plus Cole threatened before Diamanti almost decapitated one of his own fans with a wayward far post volley.

Then in 59 minutes, Carlton Cole doubled the scoreline his put the game out of sight for the visitors. Julien Faubert played a fantastic ball through the shaky-looking Hull defence, and the big striker was on hand to slot home his ninth goal of the season.

The Tigers had to see out the last ten minutes with nine men as Anthony Gardner left the field on a stretcher following an aerial challenge with Matthew Upson. The two-man disadvantage proved too much for the visitors as Hammers full-back Faubert moved forward with ease and emphatically opened his account for the side, smashing an 18-yard effort into the top left corner of the goal.

Hull will now however have to deal with more pressing problems as they try to improve their precarious position near the bottom of the table.

Teams :

West Ham :Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Jonathan Spector, James Tomkins, Scott Parker, Radoslav Kovac, Julien Faubert, Valon Behrami, Luis Guillermo Franco (Araujo Dall'lgna Ilan, 63), Carlton Cole (Ahmed Hossam Mido, 79),Alessandro Diamanti (Jack Collison, 85)

Hull City :Boaz Myhill, Andy Dawson, Anthony Gardner, Paul McShane, Steven Mouyokolo, Stephen Hunt (Nicky Barmby, 65), George Boateng, Tom Cairney (Jozy Altidore, 64), Craig Fagan, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Amr Zaki (Seyi Olofinjana, 65)

Goals from Alessandro Diamanti and Carlton Cole eased the pressure to Zola

West Ham United 2
- Diamanti 45,
- Cole 67

Birmingham City 0

**Gianfranco Zola might not have been shown too much love from West Ham's new owners, but there can be no doubt the players have a big soft spot for their boss.
The manner in which Zola was mobbed by his team after Alessandro Diamanti led the charge in the direction of the dug-out, following his stunning free-kick, spoke volumes.

This game was overhung by the comments of the new joint chairman of West Ham United David Sullivan, who the day before announced that all the playing staff would have to take a 25 per cent cut come the summer.

Strange motivating tactics indeed, not appreciated by manager Zola, who questioned the timing.

Sullivan would no doubt claim his intervention brought the response required as the team put together a workman-like performance to overcome a dangerous Birmingham side.

The first half was pretty even with both sides having their chances.

A rasping drive from Alessandro Diamanti had Joe Hart at full stretch, while Cameron Jerome got clear through on the West Ham goal and should have done better.

The decisive turning point in the game came at the end of the first half when West Ham's Scott Parker went on a jinking run, only to be hauled down by Scott Dann on the edge of the penalty area.

Diamanti stepped up to strike a perfect curling free kick into the top right-hand corner.

The goal seemed to give West Ham the confidence they had lacked.

This was rewarded in the 67th minute when Valon Behrami put Julien Faubert in on an overlapping run down the right.

The full-back pulled the ball back from the byline for Carlton Cole to nod home.

West Ham then took some of the steam out of the game, playing possession football and the Birmingham threat faded.

The result owed much to the industry of the home team's midfield with Behrami, Parker, Robert Kovac and Diamanti all putting in good performances.

Mido also made a promising home debut.

Manager Zola clearly felt the performance vindicated his management style.

He denied the exuberant celebration that greeted Diamanti’s goal - with the scorer and four other players running over to hug the manager - was a gesture of defiance to the new owner.

"The celebration was not a sign to the new owner. We stick together, players, staff, who all want the team to succeed,” said Zola. "We care about this club and want to be successful. I made my point (with the chairman)."

Zola did though admit that Sullivan's remarks may have galvanised the team to action on the night. "This team is only playing to 70 per cent of its potential.

"When it gets more composure we will see more," said Zola.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish would not be drawn on what it was like to work for messrs Sullivan and Gold, saying only that he had "a decent relationship" when they ran Birmingham and he "respected them."

"They did a good job at Birmingham and I am sure they will stabilise West Ham," said McLeish.

Teams :

West Ham (4-4-2): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Ilunga(Spector 46min), Behrami, Kovac, Parker (Noble 86), Diamanti, Mido (Ilan 66), Cole.

Birmingham (4-4-2): Hart, Carr, R Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer (Madera 77), Fahey (McFadden 66); Phillips, Jerome.

Source : http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk

West Ham United 2-0 Portsmouth FT

Full time - Dan Lee Probert took action to close and the players make their way to a festive farewell from West Ham fans. Was tense and nervous at times, but in the end West Ham could and probably should have more. Win lifted West Ham out of the bottom three for now and will give a big lift before the London derby with Tottenham Hotspur in two days.