Source: Daily_Mail
Wigan 1 West Ham 0: Latics keeper Kirkland targets England recall
Chris Kirkland won the battle against Robert Green in a head-to-head between two men Fabio Capello will be studying closely. While Green has made an unlikely return for England in recent games, Kirkland remains a one-cap wonder.
With Capello's favoured No 1 David James suffering knee problems lately, the fight for the national goalkeeper's jersey has intensified, particularly in the wake of England's World Cup qualification. Much has been written about Green recently but Kirkland remains - unfairly on this evidence - the forgotten man of English goalkeeping.
Both men made impressive saves but Kirkland kept the all-important clean sheet while Green was beaten in the 55th minute by Hugo Rodallega.
Kirkland wore the England jersey in August 2006 for a friendly against Greece and there was no hiding the exasperation when asked about the major problem in his career - injuries.
'In the last two years, I've only missed a handful of games so I think that record has proved I'll get better,' he said, before adding an honest disclaimer. 'I've still got problems. But we've got new physios helping me every day. Now I know how to manage it myself and that is the big thing.'
However well Kirkland plays, it will be hard for him to shift Green. 'The England manager picks players who are in form,' said the West Ham goalkeeper. 'The World Cup is a long way away but I'm sure the manager will be looking to the games involving myself and the other lads until the end of the season.'
West Ham were disappointing, particularly in midfield. Radoslav Kovac and Scott Parker performed similar holding roles and Mark Noble looked unconvincing on the right. They lacked creative spark until Alessandro Diamanti and Valon Behrami came on. 'There is a lot of work to do,' admitted manager Gianfranco Zola.
WIGAN ATHLETIC (4-5-1): Kirkland 7; Melchiot 7, Bramble 6, Boyce 7, Figueroa 6; Thomas 6, Koumas 6 (Scharner 65min, 6), Gomez 7 (Sinclair 90), Diame 8, N'Zogbia 6; Rodallega 7 (Scotland 72, 6). Booked: Bramble, Figueroa.
WEST HAM UNITED (4-4-2): Green 7; Faubert 6, Tomkins 6, Upson 7, Gabbidon 6; Noble 6 (Nouble 87), Parker 7, Kovac 6, (Behrami 63, 7), Stanislas 6 (Diamanti 63, 8); Hines 7, Cole 6. Booked: Noble.
Man of the match: Mohamed Diame.
Referee: Alan Wiley.
