Dean Ashton has consistently stuggled with injuries
(GETTY IMAGES)
West Ham United 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Dean Ashton hit a double early on to leave Wigan reeling and, despite their domination thereafter, they failed to pull level.
The powerful forward was on form in front of Fabio Capello, netting the first after just three minutes from a Julien Faubert cross.
He added a second not five minutes later, Faubert again playing a part, as Wigan's failure to clear his corner allowed Calum Davenport to feed Ashton to score his second.
Wigan grew into the game thereafter and dominated the entirety of the second half, netting just after the break through new signing Amr Zaki.
However, the much-hyped hit-man missed many chances thereafter - as did some of his team-mates - and despite Wigan's persistent domination, the Hammers held out for a valuable opening day victory.
The Hammers had the lead early on, with Ashton receiving the ball into feet from Faubert, turning Paul Scharner with ease and smashing the ball into the back of the net. The second came just minutes later and had England boss Fabio Capello smiling in the stands.
Wigan showed the same resilience that kept them up last year to come right back into the game, with Emile Heskey having a header cleared off the line by Carlton Cole just minutes later.
Olivier Kapo fed in Zaki with a low ball soon after, only for the loan signing to blaze his effort over the bar.
After the break, though, the Egyptian made no such mistake, as Maynor Figueroa's throw-in was headed on by Heskey for Zaki, who spun and shot past a stunned Robert Green to put the Latics back in contention.
Zaki found himself centre-stage for the remainder of the half, heading wide from a Kapo cross and volleying over from Figueroa's throw-in.
The visitors continued to dominate, with Wilson Palacios the architect of all their best play. The home fans began to fear the worst when Ashton was taken off due to an injury sustained while taking a free-kick, almost typical of his career thus far, but the Hammers held out, with Green saving from Palacios late on and Zaki putting the ball over after good work from substitute Daniel De Ridder.
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He added a second not five minutes later, Faubert again playing a part, as Wigan's failure to clear his corner allowed Calum Davenport to feed Ashton to score his second.
Wigan grew into the game thereafter and dominated the entirety of the second half, netting just after the break through new signing Amr Zaki.
However, the much-hyped hit-man missed many chances thereafter - as did some of his team-mates - and despite Wigan's persistent domination, the Hammers held out for a valuable opening day victory.
The Hammers had the lead early on, with Ashton receiving the ball into feet from Faubert, turning Paul Scharner with ease and smashing the ball into the back of the net. The second came just minutes later and had England boss Fabio Capello smiling in the stands.
Wigan showed the same resilience that kept them up last year to come right back into the game, with Emile Heskey having a header cleared off the line by Carlton Cole just minutes later.
Olivier Kapo fed in Zaki with a low ball soon after, only for the loan signing to blaze his effort over the bar.
After the break, though, the Egyptian made no such mistake, as Maynor Figueroa's throw-in was headed on by Heskey for Zaki, who spun and shot past a stunned Robert Green to put the Latics back in contention.
Zaki found himself centre-stage for the remainder of the half, heading wide from a Kapo cross and volleying over from Figueroa's throw-in.
The visitors continued to dominate, with Wilson Palacios the architect of all their best play. The home fans began to fear the worst when Ashton was taken off due to an injury sustained while taking a free-kick, almost typical of his career thus far, but the Hammers held out, with Green saving from Palacios late on and Zaki putting the ball over after good work from substitute Daniel De Ridder.
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