WHUFC.com
The return of his midfield maestro was a big factor in Gianfranco Zola's
positive mood on Saturday night
24.04.2010
Gianfranco Zola could not hide his elation on Saturday night as he reflected
on his side securing a 3-2 victory against Wigan Athletic that has done
their survival hopes the power of good. Scott Parker's second-half stunner
was a rich reward for yet another man of the match display at the heart of
the midfield, but he had able support from Mark Noble, Radoslav Kovac and
Valon Behrami. However, it was Parker - who had made a beeline for his
manager after the ball hit the net - who rightly got the post-match
plaudits. "You can't imagine how happy I was," he said. "You could see from
my jumping, I looked like a supporter. It was a great finish. It wasn't an
easy shot because he didn't have an angle. He was running straight and he
hit it perfectly. It was great goal and a great result."
Of the goal celebration which saw him mobbed yet again by his men, Zola
added: "It was very gratifying. It shows that despite all the problems, we
have always been together. We have had a lot of stick and a lot of problems
but we have dealt with them together. "It was never my intention to leave
this place [after the Stoke defeat] and this situation that we were in. I
was just down with the situation as was everybody. In those moments, I felt
the players behind me and feeling that fighting spirit that has made a
difference, not only for me but for them as well."
It was Parker's first game back after a two-match suspension and Zola said
the enforced break may have played a part in his ability to finish the
contest as strongly as he had started. "Maybe the rest helped, although
somebody like Scott you want all the time on the pitch. The fact he had
those games off might have helped him give something extra in the second
half."
Robert Green also earned praise, having produced a world-class stop at
one-nil down that led to the Hammers going up the other end and equalising
in the first half through Ilan. "The save from Robert was the key moment.
Going down 2-0 against Wigan would have been a difficult situation for us
considering all the pressure there was on this game.
"That wasn't the case. The reaction was amazing and that is the difference
here. We were losing and we never let ourselves down. Carlton Cole also did
a great job for the first goal and then Ilan followed for him the pass and
scored a very good goal. I was delighted with Carlton's contribution."
Radoslav Kovac then nodded the home side in front just before the break
after Mark Noble's free-kick was saved but there was a nervy start to the
second half that culminated in Wigan fighting back to draw level. Yet Zola's
men refused to give in and he commended Matthew Upson for keeping things
together at a difficult moment with a "solid and good performance".
Although Barclays Premier League survival has inched closer - all at the
club will no doubt keep a close eye on Burnley's match with Liverpool on
Sunday - the manager is keeping his feet on the ground. "We can't celebrate
yet. It has been a season where everything has happened. We need to keep
focused and we want to finish this championship with some more points."
To achieve that aim, Zola's men must go for a win at Fulham next Sunday.
They will no doubt receive plenty of backing from the travelling support.
"The fans felt a lot of pressure, they were nervous and the way we started
the game didn't help. It is OK, they have always been behind us. "I want to
underline [my thanks for] the fans that come to the away matches. We didn't
give them much this year but they have always been there and always been the
loudest. For me they deserve a big applause. I am delighted for them, they
have a lot of passion."
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Man of the moment
WHUFC.com
Manuel da Costa said the win over Wigan Athletic was a reward for everyone
connected with West Ham United
24.04.2010
Manuel da Costa said West Ham United's 3-2 Barclays Premier League victory
over Wigan Athletic summed up the Hammers' never-say-die attitude. The
centre-back produced a strong performance of his own, winning a series of
headers and standing firm alongside defensive partner Matthew Upson. Having
battled their way to a success that, Burnley winning at Liverpool on Sunday
aside, will all but ensure their top-flight future, Da Costa said the
players, backroom staff and supporters could enjoy the rest of their
weekends.
"It's fantastic. It was a big win. We played well. I am not sure exactly how
to say it in English, but we gave it everything from the first minute until
the 95th minute. We would not let the game get us down, at 1-0 down, at 1-1,
at 2-1 or at 2-2. We stayed positive. "We kept our team spirit and kept
going for everybody - for each other, for the manager, for the supporters,
for the medical staff, for everybody. "The manager said it was fantastic
because it has been a very difficult season for this team. Right now, we are
in a good moment after a good result and look like we will stay in the
Premier League. I want to thank everybody for helping us. "I was happy with
my performance. The attitude of everybody was spot-on. You could see that
everybody played well. I was very happy with what I achieved and what
everybody else achieved."
While Da Costa was pleased with his own resolute display, the Portuguese
defender also singled out goalkeeper Robert Green for praise. The England
No1 produced a magical save to deny James McCarthy with the Latics already
one goal to the good, pushing the Republic of Ireland midfielder's rasping
30-yard drive on to the post. Within a minute, Ilan had equalised, and West
Ham were on their way to an unforgettable and priceless three points. "In a
football match, every player has an important moment in a match when you a
called upon - this was that moment for Greeny. He had worked hard and he was
ready to stop them scoring a second goal. In that one moment, he showed his
best."
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Parker proves the hero
WHUFC.com
The reigning Hammer of the Year was the match-winner on a memorable
afternoon at the Boleyn
24.04.2010
West Ham United 3-2 Wigan Athletic
Scott Parker announced his return to the West Ham United side with an
unforgettable winner in the vital 3-2 Barclays Premier League victory over
Wigan Athletic.
The Hammer of the Year underlined why he is the favourite for this year's
prize by capping his return from suspension with the decisive goal in an
epic contest. With Hull City losing at home to Sunderland, the Hammers, who
scored earlier through Ilan and Radoslav Kovac with Wigan on target through
a Jonathan Spector own goal and Hugo Rodallega, could not have had a better
day.
Barring a massive swing in goal-difference, Hull cannot overtake the
Hammers. Burnley must win at Liverpool tomorrow to keep their own survival
hopes alive. Parker was back in the Hammers fold after being suspended for
the last two matches, while Ilan was allowed to continue his fledgling
partnership up front with Carlton Cole. There was no place in the matchday
squad for Luis Boa Morte, who has battled back to fitness after a serious
knee injury last July.
West Ham started on the offensive, with a flowing move seeing the ball
eventually reach Julien Faubert in an advanced position on the right wing
but the cross was high, wide and not so handsome. It was to be the story of
a scrappy match punctuated by a match-winning goal of stunning quality from
Parker.
Disaster struck as early as the fourth minute when Spector nodded a Ben
Watson corner beyond Robert Green to the surprise of everyone in the
stadium. It was a Hammer blow but the home side were to be afforded a golden
chance to get back into the contest just five minutes later.
Cole was played in through the middle after an Ilan mis-control. He rounded
goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and, although unsteady on his feet, sent the ball
rolling towards the goal - only for Gary Caldwell to recover and clear off
the line.
Valon Behrami twice tumbled in the penalty area but neither appeal stood up,
while Charles N'Zogbia fizzed in an effort to the left of Robert Green's
goal but it never troubled the England No1. Green was needed on 31 minutes
though, stretching to palm a fierce McCarthy shot on to the crossbar.
They say a save can be worth a goal and it truly meant that in this
instance. The Hammers roared up the other end before Cole stole away to the
left of goal. He held off two markers before rolling the ball across the
area for Ilan to slide in his fourth in claret and blue.
With Mark Noble crunching his way into tackle after tackle, Zola's men
looked a different team. Wigan meanwhile had to reorganise with Marcelo
Moreno injured in attack, meaning Victor Moses came on as a left-winger and
Rodallega moved into a central striker's role. It was a menacing move in
many ways but the Hammers were to strike next.
In the fifth minute of added time, after a lengthy delay for Kirkland's
facial injury earlier, Noble fired in a fierce free-kick. The Wigan keeper
got a hand to the shot as it curled to the corner but Kovac was on hand to
nod into the net and lift the roof off the Boleyn Ground.
Surely it would be the basis for a comfortable second half? No such luck.
The Hammers were listless after the break, save for one run from Ilan, and
by the 52nd minute Wigan were level. Mohamed Diame's shot was deflected wide
and for the second time from a corner, Watson produced the goods. This time,
Rodallega converted at the back post after a near-post flick-on caused
mayhem.
Frustration reigned again, summed up by Spector's yellow card for a foul on
N'Zogbia. The French winger then saw his free-kick well saved by Green. Then
West Ham went close, with Kovac looping a header on to the Wigan crossbar.
Still the Hammers kept going, with Parker driving them on.
Indeed such was one run from the great No8 that Titus Bramble earned a
yellow card for his 'any means necessary' foul. Zola replaced a limping Ilan
for Guille Franco for the closing stages with the home fans having sung his
name as he warmed up in front of the Bobby Moore Stand. The only singing on
77 minutes, though, was for Parker.
The reigning Hammer of the Year set off on another surge forward before
letting fly from 25 yards with a piledriver into the corner of Kirkland's
goal. It was a season-defining moment and the midfielder rightly celebrated
in style. After taking the congratulations from his team-mates, he ran
straight to his manager.
Wigan were still a threat as the game ticked away but they were unable to
spoil the party, with only a Watson effort from distance giving Green any
real scare. Parker needed treatment as the game went into four minutes of
added time and it was fair to say a few in the crowd would be forgiven for
needing the same attention from the physio, such was the tension. The
Hammers held on, though, and are surely now just a Burnley defeat or draw
away from safety.
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U18s sting Hornets
WHUFC.com
West Ham United scored a 3-2 FA Premier Academy League victory at Watford on
Saturday morning
24.04.2010
Watford U18s 2-3 West Ham United U18s
West Ham United Under-18s returned to winning ways with a 3-2 victory at
Watford on Saturday. Goals from Matthias Fanimo, Sergio Sanchez and Jack
Werndly (pictured) were enough to see the Hammers overcome their hosts at
the University College London sports ground in London Colney. The success
came just four days after West Ham had been beaten 1-0 by runaway Group A
leaders Arsenal just a few hundred metres away at their own London Colney
training centre. Playing against Group B opposition this time around,
Academy Director Tony Carr's side made no mistake, and could have won by a
far wider margin had they not spurned a host of clear-cut chances. As it
was, West Ham had to make do with a one-goal victory. Fanimo put the Hammers
ahead before Watford equalised. Defender Sanchez netted his second Academy
goal of the season to put the visitors back in front before substitute
Werndly added a third. The hosts scored late on to set-up a grandstand
finish, but Carr's youngsters held on to stretch their impressive recent run
to just one defeat in eight league matches. Saturday's match also saw
schoolboy Lamar Hurley make his first start for the U18s in central
midfield. West Ham's U18s have just two league fixtures remaining, with a
trip to Southampton next Saturday followed by a home game against Charlton
Athletic on Friday 7 May. Full post-match reaction will appear on whufc.com
and full highlights will appear on WHUTV early next week.
West Ham United U18s: Mehmet, Modelski, McNaughton, Sanchez, Brown, Fanimo,
Moncur, Hurley, Montano (Werndly 70), Hall, Tombides (Vose 72)
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West Ham 3 - 2 Wigan
BBC.co.uk
By Chris Bevan
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.
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West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola on Scott Parker's winner: "It was a great goal
and great result. "It was a great finish and not an easy shot because he did
not have an angle, but he hit it perfectly. "I cannot celebrate yet. We want
to stay focused and want to finish this championship with some more points."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez: We deserved something from the game, but both
teams clearly wanted to win which made it very open. "We imposed ourselves
in spells and it is very frustrating that we could not reflect that by
picking up any points. "From our point of view I felt we could have done
better with the three goals we conceded."
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Zola on... Wigan
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
Mission accomplished, Gianfranco Zola was a happy man in front of a full
house at tonight's post-match press conference...
Happy with Scott Parker's finish?
You can imagine how much... You could see from my jumping, it looked like I
was a supporter! No, it was a great finish. It wasn't an easy shot either
because he didn't have an angle for the ball, he was running straight at it
- but he hit it perfectly. It was a great goal and a great result.
Parker fresher in the second half having missed two games?
Well I think maybe that helped. But somebody like Scott Parker, you want to
have him all the time on the pitch. Certainly the fact that he had those
games off might have helped give him something extra in the second half,
yes.
An important save from Green just before your equaliser?
It was a key moment because going 2-0 down against Wigan would have been
such a difficult situation for us considering all the pressure there was on
this game. But that wasn't the case, the reaction was amazing and that is
the difference you see. We were losing but we never let our heads go down.
Our first goal was a quality goal. Carlton Cole did a great job on the left
and Ilan followed the pass and scored a very good goal. But the second goal,
scoring before half time was the key as it allowed us to go on the pitch and
re-organise ourselves.
Can you celebrate yet? You're not quite mathematically there...
No, I won't celebrate until tomorrow really because it's been that sort of
season where everything happens - so no. At the moment we need to keep
focused - and we also want to finish this championship with some more
points.
Al the players embraced you after Scott Parker's goal. Was that gratifying?
Very gratifying because I think it shows that despite all the problems,
between the players and the staff there has always been compactness; we've
always been together. We've had a lot of stick, we've had a lot of problems
but we've always been together.
It has been difficult, obviously, but we have dealt with it together and
with this result we did it. I think that was the meaning of that
[celebration].
Three or four weeks ago you were considering your future. Does this result
justify staying?
It was never my intention to leave this place in the situation we were [in].
I was just like everybody, very down. But in those moments I felt the
players [were] behind me and the fighting spirit in them has made a
difference. Not only for me, but for them as well.
Thoughts on the fans over the last two home games?
I understand the fans were feeling the pressure. Like us [they] were nervous
and the way we started the game today didn't help to release the pressure.
But it's ok, they've been behind us, the home fans.
But I want to highlight the fans that come to the away matches. We haven't
given them much satisfaction this year but they've always been there and
they've always been the loudest, so from me they have a round of applause
for that.
But I'm delighted for them all because they have a lot of passion, West Ham
United supporters - so let's hope tomorrow is going to be a celebration.
How well do you think Green, Upson and Cole did their England cause today?
All of them did very well today. Robert Green, as I said, was outstanding
with that save; Matthew Upson's performance was very good, very solid.
Carlton, he hasn't scored but he made the first goal and was much better. I
know Carlton Cole can do better, but he's worked for the team and I'm
delighted with his performance.
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Martinez on... West Ham
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 24th April 2010
By: Staff Writer
A philosophical Roberto Martinez reflects on his team's narrow defeat at the
Boleyn Ground this afternoon...
Do you think your side deserved more today?
It's frustrating finishing the game and not getting anything out of it with
that performance. We deserved to get something out of it. We knew it was
going to be a difficult environment, West Ham, where if they were in the
right frame of mind there was a positive feeling about them and we knew it
would be hard to impose ourselves.
But I felt we did that. To come to this place and have more corners and more
chances than the home side, that's why you get frustrated at the end that
you didn't get any rewards.
The result at Hull means you're almost certainly safe now?
Not yet, no; mathematically we're not safe yet. We've got two games left,
especially the one at home now and we need to try and carry on with our
level of performance. I always believe that overall in a season, you get
what you deserve. There's been a few times in this campaign where we've
performed the right way and were very unfortunate not to get anything out of
it.
But that's probably where we are, it's the transitional period that we're
in. It's a very young squad and I was proud of the players. For the
youngsters out there that was probably the hardest environment [they've
played in] and to perform at the top of your ability under those
circumstances shows how far we've come.
It was a key moment in the game when we hit the crossbar. We were one-nil
up, you get that two-goal cushion... But at the other end West Ham were very
clinical and got two goals out of not much really. That's my disappointment,
that we probably allowed West Ham to score three goals from very little.
Don't take anything away from Scott Parker, that was a real touch of magic.
But I felt that from our point of view, from everything that we did out
there - we took the heat out of the game, we controlled the game for long
spells - I just felt that my players deserved something out of it.
Chris Kirkland looked like he cut his face quite badly?
Yes, I'm afraid he doesn't look too well at the moment. He's got a few
stitches, three cuts in his face and everything is swollen up - but I feel
proud when a player like that wants to stay on the pitch and that gave us a
great feeling to carry on performing in the right manner. But in moments
like that you find out about your players and Chris Kirkland is a great
ambassador for our football club.
A source of frustration that you can't put back-to-back wins together?
Yes and no, I don't like to measure all performances by their results. That
would be very unfair on my players. I knew how difficult it was going to be
from the start, I'm just proud of the way they performed. You look at how
difficult it was going to be and then you look at the stats at the end of
the game and we were the better side, so I'm pleased with that.
The results come with a bit of know-how, a bit of ruthlessness, a bit of
experience. Probably now we're just paying the price of still learning all
the ingredients but the aim of the season is always staying in the Premier
League - and if we do that it has been a huge achievement and would allow us
to build for the future. But now we need to be focused on the next game and
our next one at home is as big a game as it was for West Ham today.
What have you learned this year as a manager?
In a way it's a great question. I don't like to look back until we've
finished the season and see where we are. This season has been an
interesting one because we have 23 nationalities in the dressing room and to
get the dynamics of the group right, it takes a lot! We've had some
outstanding performances; we beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal for the
first time in our history - and then we got beat 9-1!
Believe me, trying to manage a side after losing 9-1 is really, really hard
- and again, it shows you the potential we've got in that dressing room
because we bounced straight back and beat Sunderland at home. I could go on
and on, it hasn't been an easy season but it's been an exciting challenge
because at the end we'll end up with the right characters in that dressing
room and I just feel that if we can stay up, we'll get the rewards for that
in seasons to come for Wigan Athletic.
After the drama of last week's win do you think the players were a bit flat
today?
No, I wouldn't say so, they were difficult conditions out there. The pitch
was fantastic, it was like a carpet but it was really, really hot and you
could feel the tension. I just felt we kept the ball really well and created
many good chances, getting into good positions but the final ball could have
been a little bit better. But overall I think the approach of the players
was what was needed.
As I say, not everything is right when you win a game of football and not
everything is wrong when you lose it. I just feel today that we didn't get
the rewards the performance deserved. Like everything else you can improve
in certain departments, I just felt we gave them too much room - Scott
Parker's goal for example. But if he's got the quality to put it there,
those are magic moments in football.
If Burnley fail to win tomorrow will you allow yourself to celebrate then?
Not until the final game of the season because whatever happens then with
Chelsea having a say in the title race, obviously. We need to get as many
points as we can, to finish the season at Stamford Bridge. This season is
going to be one of those seasons that goes right to the final whistle but
we're all prepared for it and we're all excited about it.
But step by step, we need to focus on Hull now and if we carry on with that
level of performance, football will always give you what you put in.
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Zola - Parker inspired Hammers
Hammers manager insists complacency will not be an issue
By Jonathan Witty Last updated: 24th April 2010
SSN
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola hailed his inspirational midfield maestro
Scott Parker after he scored the winning goal in a five-goal thriller
against relegation rivals Wigan. The 25-yard strike from the former Chelsea
playmaker earned the Hammers three vital points that has virtually secured
their Premier League status. Zola was quick to praise Parker's spectacular
winner, but insisted that his overall attitude was more important to West
Ham's survival hopes. "It was a difficult game because there was a lot of
pressure and the boys gave everything and got the three points and it shows
everybody how much they care about this team," said Zola. "I think Scott
Parker deserved to score the winner. He is an inspirational player for us
and he makes a difference when he is on the pitch. "He is committed to this
club and his attitude is excellent. I am impressed with his performance, but
I was happy with everybody."
Defeat for Hull against Sunderland has taken the pressure off West Ham, as
they have now opened up a six-point gap between Ian Dowie's men. However,
Zola has refused to be complacent and will ensure his side fights to the
finish. "It has been a tough season so we are not going to stop until we
are sure that we are going to stay up," added Zola.
Zola was also impressed with the West Ham supporters and praised the Upton
Park faithful for standing by their team during a difficult period. He said:
"I am delighted for the supporters as they have been behind us all the time,
and at times it was difficult. "Those are the moments when you need to stick
together and it has worked for us."
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Single-handed survival
Nicholas puts Hammers' safety down to Scott Parker
Last updated: 25th April 2010
SSN
Charlie Nicholas believes Scott Parker has almost single-handedly kept West
Ham up. The midfielder scored a stunning winner as Gianfranco Zola's men
edged a thrilling encounter with Wigan to all but ensure their Premier
League survival. Hull's home defeat by Sunderland meant only a major
footballing miracle and catastrophic collapse - even by Upton Park standards
- can now see the Hammers relegated. They fell behind to Jonathan Spector's
early own goal, went into the break 2-1 ahead and then saw Hugo Rodallega
peg them back before Parker drilled home a sweet 25-yard strike to settle
matters and keep his side up. And Nicholas had no qualms in giving Parker,
back from a two-game suspension, all the credit. "Parker has summed up West
Ham all season," he told Soccer Saturday. "They have had to fight and scrap
for everything they get and it was no surprise that Scotty Parker became
their hero. "It's unmissable, it's a stunning strike, his first goal at
Upton Park and the celebration, the look on his manager's face when he and
Zola went to each other, and the others' reaction was as pure and honest as
you'll see. "Look at what (Carlos) Tevez did to keep them up and it's of
that standard.
"The amount of blocks he gets in on the edge of the box and then he's away.
I always though he's a really good player with a fantastic appetite and a
fantastic heart but sometimes he just gets his head down and doesn't pass it
quick enough. "But defensively he's as strong as an ox, getting forward
he's super and today his contribution was immense, absolutely stunning. "It
was a fantastic win for West Ham but credit to Wigan, they played really
well."
Parker's contribution was made all the more vital given the dreadful start
Zola's men made to a must-win game. Just four minutes had gone when Jonathan
Spector's own goal put Wigan, themselves not certain of safety going into
the game, ahead and the fast start West Ham were looking for just hadn't
materialised. But Nicholas was also full of credit for the character they
showed and admitted that goals from Ilan and Radoslav Kovac turned the game
and showed the sort of desire the supporters demand. "They were spirited
because of the tension that surrounds them at home with their fans," he
said. "They are no different from anybody else in an awkward position; they
want the ball forward quickly, they want to see passion, more goalmouth
action and West Ham have always been a passing, probing side. "But they
never really got going and four minutes in it was a good cross in from the
left from (Ben) Watson, they don't defend it that well and hits the shoulder
of Spector and bounces into his own net - and you think then it will take a
strong bit of character.
"Carlton Cole made the goal with a good run down the left, crossed it and
there was Ilan with his firs contribution of the game to stab it into the
net. "Then, just before half-time, came the big thing for West Ham. It was
a cracking free-kick from (Mark) Noble right in the top corner and although
Chris Kirkland got a hand to it, it span up in the air and Kovac is first to
react to it and it's 2-1 - and I thought that would calm them down. "I think
West Ham are now safe and the pressure has gone."
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Parker seals vital Hammers win
Goal hero Parker seals vital win in dying minutes
By Jonathan Witty Last updated: 24th April 2010
SSN
Save of the match: Robert Green's excellent stop, diving high to his right
prevented James McCarthy from doubling Wigan's lead.
Moment of the match: Green's save turned the game with his stop from
McCarthy that allowed West Ham to score the equaliser.
Man of the match: Parker was everywhere and his dedication was rewarded with
the winning goal.
Talking points: Can West Ham push on and stay in the Premier League? Should
Julien Faubert have been punished for his lunge on Moses?
Scott Parker scored a fantastic second-half goal to give West Ham a vital
3-2 victory over relegation rivals Wigan in a rollercoaster encounter at
Upton Park. Parker's stunning 25-yard strike with 12 minutes remaining has
practically secured the Hammers' Premier League status, with Hull's defeat
to Sunderland providing Gianfranco Zola's men with a welcome boost. The
former Chelsea player inspired West Ham to victory with a spectacular winner
after his side came back from a goal down. Wigan took the lead after four
minutes when Ben Watson's corner was put into his own net by the unfortunate
Jonathan Spector. A nervy West Ham were nearly 2-0 down when James McCarthy
unleashed a vicious strike that Robert Green pushed onto the crossbar after
30 minutes, but they bounced back almost immediately. From the next attack
Carlton Cole set up Ilan to score the equaliser from close range before
Radoslav Kovac notched the second in first-half stoppage-time. The Czech
Republic midfielder reacted fastest after Chris Kirkland produced an
excellent save from Mark Noble's free-kick and nodded home from two yards.
Wigan levelled after 52 minutes when Hugo Rodallega converted another
inswinging corner from close range, but Parker sealed the win for the
Hammers in the last quarter of the match. Wigan made a lightning start to
proceedings when they took the lead within five minutes. Rodallega won a
fourth minute corner and Spector deflected Watson's inswinging cross into
his own net. West Ham should have been level minutes later when Cole rounded
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland but Caldwell managed to recover and block
his shot on the line. Wigan were inches away from a second goal when
McCarthy unleashed a powerful drive from 25 yards. Green showed every inch
why he is currently England's first-choice keeper by diving full-length to
his right and tipping McCarthy's shot onto the bar. It proved to be a key
moment. From almost falling 2-0 down, West Ham marched upfield and drew
level. Parker launched the Hammers' best attacking move of the half with a
clever ball to Ilan from deep inside his own half. The Brazilian striker
picked out Cole, who cut into the box between Mario Melchiot and Caldwell
before squaring the ball back for Ilan to score.
Five minutes into first-half stoppage-time, West Ham had the lead. Noble's
curling free-kick was well saved by Kirkland but Kovac followed up and
headed the rebound into an empty net from one yard.Victor Moses, a
first-half replacement for Marcelo Moreno, was leading West Ham a merry
dance and he started the second period by charging past Faubert into the box
befor e shooting across the face of goal. Watson found Mohamed Diame whose
shot was blocked by Manuel Da Costa. The ball went out for a corner and once
again West Ham were undone by the set-piece as Wigan drew level. Watson's
delivery was flicked on by Moses and Rodallega was at the far post to turn
it past Green.
West Ham's players were furious and insisted Rodallega had pushed the ball
in with his hand. Referee Alan Wiley waved away the protests and gave the
goal. The hosts were hanging on now, struggling to cope with the pace of
Wigan's attack as N'Zogbia cut in from the right before being chopped down
by Spector, who was booked for the challenge.
Kovac hit the bar with a looping header before Parker emerged as West Ham's
match-winner. Parker collected the ball from Franco and closed in on the
Wigan box before unleashing a swirling shot from 25-yards that flew past
Kirkland.
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