The end of the road for Avram Grant

Wigan Athletic 3 // West Ham United 2

WIGAN // When Wigan Athletic visited Upton Park in November, West Ham United branded it "Save our Season" day. Now it is beyond salvation, a day of demotion and dismissal culminating in the departure of their manager, Avram Grant.

Unemployment is the reward for underachievement. There was no great escape, no reprieve, no consolation to be taken from a shockingly bad season. They have gone down to the Championship with a team whose pedigree - not to mention their wage bill and spending on signings - suggested a top-half finish was feasible.

Instead, they are officially the league's worst side, one who contrived to squander a two-goal lead against relegation rivals and lose.

It was a match to sum up West Ham's slide; by taking one point from seven games, they have squandered a promising position.

The consequences were swift and brutal: Grant was gone within the hour. The messages from the directors' box and the away fans, chorusing insults, were uniformly negative, the only support a taunt from the sky.

Minutes after Conor Sammon scored the goal to effectively demote West Ham, a passing plane trailed a banner reading: "Avram Grant Millwall legend", no doubt sent by fans of rivals Millwall, a team they will face next season.

"Whatever people will want to say, it's OK," Grant said, conducting a press conference while his employers determined his future. "Football is a game of results. My job was to keep the team in the league and I failed. I take responsibility."

Magnanimous as that sounded, few were in any doubt the Israeli was culpable. A familiar list of excuses followed, incorporating the club's financial situations and injuries, along with refereeing decisions.

He disputed another yesterday, for the free kick that led to Wigan's first goal: not for the first time, his claims did not stand up to scrutiny. West Ham's co-owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, almost sacked him in January. Four months later, they pulled the trigger.

Thus, in all probability, ends a managerial career in England that has been a curiosity - his mumbling persona bemused many - but has resulted in abject failure at Upton Park. This was his second successive demotion, after Portsmouth tumbled a division 12 months ago and, if he escaped censure then, there was no repeat.

West Ham's frustrations have increased in his ill-fated reign. They were apparent again, from supporters causing significant damage to the toilets in the away end to Scott Parker's post-match confrontation with Wigan supporters who had staged a pitch invasion. He had to be restrained by his coaches.

It was a day of extreme emotions. Wigan, when trailing 2-0, were all but relegated themselves.

They rallied, staging an extraordinary comeback and ending the match amid scenes of jubilation

The normally restrained Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was on the pitch after Charles N'Zogbia's 94th-minute winner. "Today's game was something unique, a unique moment in our history," Martinez said.

Three points may be needed at Stoke City on Sunday to rescue his side, but they have earned a chance that appeared impossible.

"At half time it was a real, real mountain to climb," Martinez added. His side trailed to two Demba Ba headers, with Thomas Hitzlsperger involved in both goals.

Wigan rallied. N'Zogbia's rising free kick flew past Robert Green. Ben Watson then set up Sammon, who turned and shot to defeat the goalkeeper. When Ben Watson's 90th-minute shot hit the post and rebounded to Green, victory seemed to have eluded them.

Instead, N'Zogbia fired in an effort that Green allowed to squirm in. A lifeline for Wigan brought the death knell for Grant.

sports@thenational.ae

How to turn your property into a holiday home

Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.

While you're here

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool

Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)

Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Key facilities

Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

MORE FROM ED HUSAIN: The UAE-Israel accord is a win for every Muslim

MATCH INFO

Red Star Belgrade v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight (Thursday), UAE

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152

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About RuPay

A homegrown card payment scheme launched by the National Payments Corporation of India and backed by the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central bank

RuPay process payments between banks and merchants for purchases made with credit or debit cards

It has grown rapidly in India and competes with global payment network firms like MasterCard and Visa.

In India, it can be used at ATMs, for online payments and variations of the card can be used to pay for bus, metro charges, road toll payments

The name blends two words rupee and payment

Some advantages of the network include lower processing fees and transaction costs

How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?

The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg

Bert van Marwijk factfile

Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder

Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia

Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands