English Premier League Review: August 30, 31

Hull City were brought back down to earth with a bang on Saturday afternoon as they were thrashed 5-0 by Wigan Athletic at the KC Stadium. After their unbeaten start to their first-ever Premier League season, hopes were high that the Tigers would continue to impress in this match. However, it became clear that the hosts were struggling after just five minutes when Kevin Kilbane's corner was knocked into his own goal by Sam Ricketts. Antonio Valencia then added the second from Amr Zaki's neat throughball as the dominant visitors went into half-time with a comfortable advantage.

The Latics continued to boss proceedings in the second half, and racked up the goals with great aplomb. The impressive Zaki added the third on 63 minutes, knocking home from Valencia's well-judged cross with ease, before Emile Heskey made it four shortly after, following a route one punt up-field by keeper Chris Kirkland. Zaki completed the rout in the dying stages with the fifth, the forward smashing home off the underside of the crossbar with a stunning strike, to remind Phil Brown of the tricky task that lies ahead in the coming months.

There were also five goals at Upton Park, where West Ham United eased Alan Curbishley's woes by cruising to victory at home to Blackburn. Rovers boss and former West Ham player Paul Ince was booed mercilessly before kick-off, and life didn't get any easier once the match got underway as he saw his side go two behind in the opening twenty minutes. Callum Davenport headed the first from Julien Faubert's corner, before Christopher Samba deflected in Mark Noble's shot to make it two.

Jason Roberts pulled one back shortly after the second, and Rovers dominated the rest of the match, but the luck simply wasn't with them.