Ref Stuart Atwell causes controversy again as West Ham beat Wigan
Carlton Cole scored a wonderful winner for West Ham but it was card-happy referee Stuart Attwell who stood out.
The official sent off Cole for a second bookable offence just three minutes after his first-half strike came from an incisive passing move.
Wigan midfielder Lee Cattermole was next to go when he was shown a straight red for diving into the back of Scott Parker.
In all Attwell issued six yellow cards, not including Cole's first, and two reds in a niggly game which threatened to descend into a nasty affair at one point.
It overshadowed the excellence of West Ham's goal - a rare bright spot on an evening where beauty came a distinct second to beast.
The Hammers' victory allowed them to strengthen their hold on seventh place and left Wigan still looking for their first victory in eight matches.
Had it not been for Cole's brilliance the Latics would have shaded the first half.
Two fouls by Lucas Neill allowed by Amr Zaki and Mido to test goalkeeper Robert Green with early free-kicks.
Green's counterpart Chris Kirkland did just enough to put off Cole as he raced on to Radoslav Kovac's defence-splitting through-ball, with the West Ham striker commendably staying on his feet instead of opting to throw himself to the floor in the penalty area.
In the 28th minute Mark Noble tripped Cattermole after he skipped past a couple of challenges and he was booked.
Cole followed into referee Attwell's book for a late tackle on Michael Brown.
