Reality is biting once again at Upton Park, and a disappointingly low crowd were reduced to howls of frustration in the face of another poor display.
Bobby Zamora - grabbed the Hammers' consolation goal against Wigan Picture: NICK ANSELL
West Ham's fans were treated to a performance of championship class - but unfortunately it came from unfancied Wigan rather than Alan Pardew's men.
The home side turned in a performance as limp, sluggish and uninspired as those in the dark days of the relegation campaign to find themselves 2-0 down and out of reach before half-time.
And a slight improvement after the break, prompted in part by a pair of substitutions that could have been made long before, cannot disguise the alarming gap in class between the Irons and a Wigan side who had never previously beaten them.
The absence of Christian Dailly from the defence was unsettling, and his presence might have prevented the opening goal on five minutes.
Instead Tomas Repka returned to the heart of defence and was outjumped by Nathan Ellington as he headed home Gary Teale's cross from the right to hand Hammers the worst possible start.
Marlon Harewood and Teddy Sheringham failed to rekindle Tuesday night's promising understanding and the midfield was a minefield of blind alleys and misplaced passes.
A deflected Hayden Mullins shot and a dangerous cross from Mattie Etherington were all the Clarets had to show from a dreadful first half, while the Latics created a string of oppportunities for Teale, Matt Jackson and Jason Roberts.
That was eventually rewarded when an aimless hoof forwards from Anton Ferdinand was returned with interest by David Wright and Roberts muscled his way clear of Repka before rounding Steve Bywater to make it two on the stroke of half-time.
The jeers were deafening at the break, but a half-time double switch gave the crowd some hope.
When Etherington and Nigel Reo-Coker embarked on a quick break down the left, neither Sheringham nor substitute Bobby Zamora could turn in Etherington's wicked cross - but a sense of purpose was renewed at last.
Unfortunately it didn't last: just before the hour the impressive Ellington beat two men and perceptively released Teale before continuing his run to head home the winger's carefully flighted far-post cross.
Published Monday August 16, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article