West Ham Utd v Wigan: half time report

A brace from Ivan Boselli and a goal out of nowhere from summer transfer target Ivan Ramis have given West Ham a mountain to climb in the second half of tonight's Capital One Cup third round tie.

Sam Allardyce's team, who were in complete control of this tie in the opening quarter-of-an-hour somehow find themselves 3-1 down at the break after conceding two goals right at the end of the half.

Modibo Maiga gave United the perfect start when he took advantage of a dreadful back pass to fire the Hammers ahead with just six minutes on the clock.

But that lead was to last for just nine minutes as Argentinian striker Boselli levelled the scores when he nipped in to convert Maynor Figueroa's centre.

Ricardo Vaz Te and Jordan Spence both went close shortly after whilst Robert Hall once again looked lively throughout the half.

However Wigan - and Ramis, who looked like he was on his way to West Ham before his move was hijacked by Wigan boss Roberto Martínez - stunned the home crows six minutes ahead of the half time whistle.

The Spanish defender was allowed to run from deep before unleashing an absolute piledriver of a shot from the 35 yard mark which flew into the top corner of Stephen Henderson's net.

And as if that wasn't bad enough, Boselli extended that lead further when he made it 3-1 just three minutes later.

Having beaten West Ham's offside trap, the £6million man lifted the ball over the oncoming Henderson to give his side a comfortable lead to take into the half time break.

West Ham - who left the field to muted boos from the stands - have it all to do in the second half; we'll have more for you at the final whistle.


West Ham Utd: Henderson, Spence, Tomkins, McCartney, Potts, Noble, O'Neil, Vaz Te, Jarvis, Maiga, Hall.

Subs: Spiegel, Collins, Taylor, Tombides. Fanimo, Driver, McCallum.

Wigan Athletic: Al Habsi, Caldwell, Jones, McManaman, McArthur, Boselli, Ramis, Stam, Piscu, Figueroa, Miyaichi.

Subs: Pollitt, Kone, Watson, Gomez, Boyce, Fyvie, Orsula.

Referee: Craig Pawson.