Monday, May 16, 2011

West Ham relegated after Wigan fightback; Birmingham lose

West Ham United became the first team to be relegated from this season's Premier League after they were beaten 3- 2 by fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic.

Two goals from Demba Ba looked like would keep the Hammers alive until the final week but Charles N'Zogbia and Connor Sammon levelled and then N'Zogbia then snatched it in injury time.

The three points mean Wigan are now level on 39 points with Blackpool and Birmingham, who were beaten 2-0 at home by Fulham and who are now out of the bottom three only on goal difference.

Tottenham won 2-0 at Liverpool to move one point above them in the race for the final Europa League spot for fifth place, while second- placed Chelsea were held 2-2 at home by Newcastle United.

West Ham began the day knowing that they had to win to stand a chance of avoiding relegation and things looked good when Ba headed the opener and made it 2-0 from close range before half-time.

But N'Zogbia smashed in a free kick and Sammon then sunk their hopes with Wigan's second. But the real drama was left until the last minute as N'Zogbia snatched a vital winner for the home side.

Birmingham may now need something from their final game of the season - away to Tottenham - after two goals from Brede Hangeland took Fulham up to eighth place.

Rafael van der Vaart put Tottenham ahead with a sweetly struck shot early in the first half at Anfield, where Liverpool had begun the day two points ahead of them in fifth.

Liverpool came into the match as the second half began but a controversial penalty, awarded for what seemed like a shoulder to shoulder challenge from John Flanagan.

Outgoing champions Chelsea twice let slip a one-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Branislav Ivanovic put Chelsea ahead within two minutes, and after Newcastle equalized thanks to a massive deflection off Jose Gutierrez, Alex looked to have won it with a header seven minutes from time.

But Ryan Taylor, whose shot had been deflected off Gutierrez for the first goal, popped up in injury time to pinch a draw for the visitors.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on rumours that it was his last home game in charge and that he is to leave at the end of the season.

"I don't know what will happen," he said. "We have to wait just one week. A week is not a long period.

"You are asking me a question I'm not able to answer. You have to propose this question to the club, not myself. I cannot give an answer."

The point means Chelsea are six points behind new champions Manchester United, but still not assured of finishing second.

Newcastle moved above local rivals Sunderland into 12th place.

And Arsenal missed the chance to secure third place when they were shocked 2-1 at home by Aston Villa, with Darren Bent scoring both goals for the visitors.

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