West Ham manager Avram Grant was sacked minutes after a 3-2 defeat away to Wigan on Sunday saw the London club relegated from the English Premier League.
Senegal striker Demba Ba’s first half double put the Hammers 2-0 up in a match they had to win to set up a chance of a last day reprieve against Sunderland next weekend.
But Wigan, who stayed second bottom, hit back through Charles N’Zogbia’s blistering 57th minute free-kick before substitute Conor Sammon drew the hosts level at the DW Stadium 11 minutes later as West Ham squandered their lead. N’Zogbia then sealed Wigan’s remarkable recovery in stoppage time when he slid a shot under the body of England goalkeeper Robert Green, who had previously made several fine saves. Defeat left the Hammers on 33 points, meaning a win against Sunderland would not be enough for them to climb out of the relegation zone. “The club can confirm that Avram Grant is no longer the manager of West Ham United,” said a statement released on the club website.
“First-team coach Kevin Keen will take charge of the team for the final home match of the season against Sunderland on May 22.” Wigan could yet avoid the drop if they get a draw or better against Stoke and other results go their way.
In all, five clubs were left within a point of each other as they faced a frantic finale to stay in the top flight. Wigan and Blackpool are in the relegation zone on 39 points. Birmingham, beaten 2-0 by Fulham on Sunday, also have 39 points but are above the bottom three on goal difference alone. Blackburn and Wolves, on 40 points apiece, are still not assured of avoiding relegation ahead of their meeting at Molineux next weekend.
At the top of the table, Arsenal’s hopes of a second-place finish ended with a match to spare following a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa as England striker Darren Bent scored twice early in the first half before Robin Van Persie pulled a goal back late on. Defeat left the Gunners, booed by their own fans, four points adrift of second-placed Chelsea, who earlier Sunday gave their London rivals hope by conceding a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle.
Arsenal could now miss out on the top three finish needed to guarantee a Champions League group stage spot and avoid the qualifying round, with fourth-placed Manchester City just two points behind with a game in hand. FA Cup winners City play Stoke at Eastlands on Tuesday in a repeat of Saturday’s Wembley final. Tottenham moved into pole position for a place in the Europa League after a 2-0 win away to Liverpool moved them a point in front of their rivals for a spot in the second-tier tournament.