Wigan in relegation trouble after defeat at Fulham

Fulham pushed Wigan deeper into the relegation dogfight as second-half goals from Stefano Okaka and Brede Hangeland clinched a 2-1 win over the Latics on Sunday.

Roy Hodgson’s side trailed to Jason Scotland’s first half goal at Craven Cottage, but on-loan Roma forward Okaka equalised for the hosts early in the second half before Hangeland headed the winner that leaves Wigan just four points above the relegation zone.

While Fulham will go into the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Wolfsburg in good spirits, Wigan are facing a grim struggle to beat the drop.

Hodgson’s decision to rest players against Hull last weekend to save them for the Cottagers’ clash with Wolfsburg prompted West Ham to complain in the Premier League.

Even with a 2-1 lead to defend in the second leg against Wolfsburg on Thursday, Hodgson selected a stronger team for his club’s latest league match, with Bobby Zamora the only key absentee.

Zamora’s replacement David Elm should have opened the scoring in the fifth minute, but the Swede was unable to enough direction or power in his header from Damien Duff’s cross and Chris Kirkland saved well.

Kirkland had to make a tougher save soon after as Elm surged onto Zoltan Gera’s pass and tested the Wigan keeper with a well-struck shot.

Fulham felt they should have had a penalty in the 18th minute when Gera appeared to be upended in the area by Mohamed Diame but referee Mark Clattenburg waved away their appeals.

Wigan went close in the 28th minute when Paul Scharner headed James McCarthy’s corner just wide.

Hangeland bailed out Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer when he cleared off the line after the Australian spilled the ball to Scharner on the edge of the penalty area.

But Wigan continued to look dangerous and took the lead in the 34th minute.

Mario Melchiot’s cross was knocked down by Marcelo Moreno for Scotland to send a low drive into the corner of the net for his first Premier League goal.

Fulham nearly got a lucky equaliser just before half-time when Kirkland recovered to tip Duff’s cross over the bar after initially misjudging the flight of the ball.

Hodgson replaced Elm with Okaka at half-time and his change paid immediate dividends in the 47th minute when Gera robbed Scharner and crossed for Okaka to slot home from close-range.

Duff forced Kirkland into a fine save when the Irishman hit a goalbound volley moments later.

And Fulham took the lead in the 58th minute when Duff’s corner was met by Hangeland and the Norway defender directed his header into the net off the far post.

Okaka limped off in the 88th minute with an ankle problem, but Fulham had already done enough to take the points that kept them on course for a top-ten finish.