Wigan made the long trip down to the capital with Roberto Martinez opting to ring the changes from the side defeated by Fulham at the weekend with only Al Habsi, Caldwell, Figueroa and Ramis retaining their place.
There were also first team starts for the first time this season for Lopez, McManaman and Miyaichi as Wigan looked to progress into the last sixteen of the Capital One cup.
The game started off with both sides looking to seize the early advantage and the first chance fell to the home side when a Noble corner was well cleared by Caldwell. West Ham continued to press forwards and Tomkins header over the bar following a cross. Wigan came back at the home side and from a Jones’ corner Miyaichi shot wide.
The deadlock was broken shortly after when a mistake in the Wigan’s defence by McArthur allowed Modibo too much room and his unstoppable shot beat Al Habsi for the lead.
This stung Wigan into action and Boselli was unlucky with a header from a Figueroa. He made no mistake when a few minutes later when yet again a cross from Figueroa found Boselli and his shot beat Henderson to level the scores up.
Figueroa was in action again when a shot went narrowly wide of Henderson’s post and at the other end Al Habsi was forced to scramble across his goal but fortunately for the Omani the shot went narrowly wide. Al Habsi was in action shortly afterwards when he was forced to push a stinging shot from Spence around the post.
The game then settled into a stalemate which was broken by a wonderful debut goal for Ivan Ramis who almost joined West Ham in the summer,the Spaniard broke out of defence, cut inside and fired a wonderful twenty five yard shot past Henderson in the home goal to send the away fans wild with delight.
Wigan goals seem like buses, you get one and then suddenly another one comes along, this time it was Boselli yet again with a beautiful chip over Henderson with the home defence static following a good through ball from McArthur.
Half time brought a round of applause from the travelling faithful acknowledging their sides ruthless strikes which had resulted in three goals from four shots on target, something manager Roberto Martinez will have taken pleasure from following his weekend criticisms of Wigan’s failure to convert chances into goals.
The second half continued with West Ham with Vaz Te to the fore looking to reduce the deficit but Wigan with a two goal advantage were content to play their normal passing football, soaking up the pressure and then building with patience and no little skill.
Wigan looked comfortable and put the game beyond reach when McArthur was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area, there then followed a union meeting between Caldwell, Gomez and Boselli, who was on a hat trick to decide who was to take the penalty. Gomez displaying confidence and belief in his own ability won the debate and converted the spot kick to make it four one to the Wiganners.
Wigan saw the game out and progressed comfortably into the last sixteen with a display showing the growing depth and quality within the squad.
Wigan Team
Al Habsi, Ramis, Lopez, Caldwell, Figueroa, Stam, McArthur, Jones, Miyaichi, Boselli, McManaman
Subs Used
Gomez for McManaman, Fyvie for McArthur, Orsula for Boselli
Man of the Match….Boselli
Att 25,934
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