The Latics produced their best performance of the season on
Saturday afternoon, to secure their first home victory, against a lacklustre
West Ham.
It was an outstanding display right from the go, as Roberto Martinez's men followed up their Capital One Cup victory
against the Londoners last month with a crucial three points.
Ivan Ramis |
Ivan Ramis opened the scoring with a stunning strike
straight from a Jean Beausejour corner, and the crucial second came from James
McArthur as he fired home at the start of the second half.
Despite being ten places adrift at the start of the day the
result was never in doubt and the score line certainly flattered Sam
Allardyce’s men.
Having named an unchanged team from last week’s defeat to Swansea ,
Martinez ’s men put in a more
complete performance which stifled their visitors from the outset.
The confidence and belief was evident from the Latics
throughout, their rhythm and control enabled the team to dictate play and create plenty of chances, as West
Ham’s midfield struggled to get on the ball.
Possession was quickly won back time and time again, as the
industries pairing of James McArthur and James McCarthy, dominated the battle
against former Latic Momo Diame and villain of the afternoon Kevin Nolan.
Ramis who had agreed terms to join West Ham in the summer,
netted his second goal of the season ironically against the Hammers direct from
a corner. He poised himself on the penalty spot and emphatically struck home, two days after turning 28.
Following the stunning opener the game fell into the
predicted pattern as the Latics played their usual brand of pass and move
football, and the visitors pumped everything upto Andy Carroll.
Ramis and captain Gary Caldwell were helped out by Maynor
Figueroa at the back and kept the on loan Liverpool
player as he was left frustrated all afternoon.
James McArthur |
The Latics were unlucky not to have gone into the break with
better cushion with McCarthy, Beausejour and Shaun Maloney all going close.
The inevitable second arrived only minutes into the second
half as Scottish international McArthur capped a fine display with a goal. He
smashed home low and left from six yards after some great work from the
terrific Maloney.
West Ham rarely threatened but as the Latics were happy to
sit back and soak up the pressure late on they went close with James Tomkins’
effort coming off the woodwork, thanks to a deflection from Figueroa.
It was a case of second time lucky for Tomkins deep into
injury time as he volleyed into an empty net but it was far too late for the
Hammers.
The late consolation was the only blight on a terrific
afternoon’s work from Martinez ’s
men. The performance was more in line with form at the back end of last season
and will fans will have left the DW in good spirits.
The result moves the Latics onto eight points and
importantly now gives them a four point cushion above the drop zone ahead of
the visit to Tottenham next weekend.
Before the visit to London
is the Capital One Cup tie against League Two’s Bradford
City , on Tuesday night. The fourth
round tie will provide Martinez
with the perfect opportunity to freshen up and give his fringe players game
time.
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