Kone goal helps Wigan to vital win

PARIS (AFP) - Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone scored as FA Cup finalists Wigan edged West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the weekend to boost hopes of dodging relegation from the English Premier League.

Kone, who stands out with his dyed blond hair, was in the Ivorian squad that flopped at the 2013 Cup of Nations, losing to eventual champions Nigeria in the quarter-finals.

Lacina Traore was another happy Ivorian goal poacher, coming on as a late substitute for Russian outfit Anzhi Makhachkala to equalise and then set up the winner for Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o.

ENGLAND

AROUNA KONE (Wigan)

Kone scored Wigan's first goal as Roberto Martinez's side twice came from behind to win 3-2 at West Bromwich Albion and boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. The Ivory Coast international struck in the 39th minute with a header from a Jean Beausejour cross, cancelling out Shane Long's opener for West Brom. Kone has scored 13 goals this season.

PAPISS CISSE (Newcastle)

Senegal striker Cisse came closest to breaking the deadlock in Newcastle's 0-0 draw at West Ham, which left the north-east club just three points above the relegation places. He beat West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with a low shot in the first half at Upton Park, only for defender Winston Reid to scramble back and hook the ball off the line.

DEMBA BA (Chelsea)

Ba had a quiet afternoon in Chelsea's 1-0 win at Manchester United, which saw Rafael Benitez's side reclaim third place from Arsenal. The Senegal international bent a shot narrowly wide in the first half, but he was also guilty of an embarrassing air-shot when he miscued an attempted volley.

FRANCE

SALOMON KALOU (Lille)

The Ivorian continued his fine form with an 11th goal of the season even though Lille crashed to a 4-2 defeat at Toulouse. After having an earlier header cleared off the line, Kalou hauled the visitors level at 2-2 on 49 minutes as he ran onto a pass and sent a stinging volley beyond Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada.

SOULEYMANE CAMARA (Montpellier)

The Senegal forward earned all three points for his side as he struck the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over rock-bottom Brest. Camara smashed a penalty low and hard down the middle on 74 minutes after a foul by Moroccan defender Ahmed Kantari. The goal was his 10th of the season -- his best haul in the French top flight.

GERMANY

CEDRICK MAKIADI (Freiburg)

The Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder scored the opening goal in Freiburg's 2-0 win at home to relegation-threatened Augsburg, which keeps Makiadi's team within the Europa League places for next season. The 29-year-old defensive midfielder hit his third goal of the season when he converted a pass from Jonathan Schmid on 30 minutes.

MAME DIOUF (Hanover)

The Senegal striker scored his first Bundesliga goal since February with his 11th strike of the season as mid-table Hanover drew 2-2 with Mainz. The 25-year-old ex-Manchester United striker gave his side a 2-1 lead after 70 minutes when midfielder Sergio Pinto stole a ball in midfield before Poland striker Artur Sobiech fed the final pass for Diouf to convert.

ITALY

KWADWO ASAMOAH (Juventus)

Juventus coach Antonio Conte sent out his strongest team to face Palermo for Sunday's title party, and Asamoah was an integral part of it. The Ghanaian was solid on the right wing, combining strong dribbling with a number of crosses into the area, but was also astute in defence and winning back possession. For his first season with the Bianconeri, it could not have gone better for the 24-year-old Accra-born midfielder. With three games remaining in the campaign, Asamoah has scored two goals this season and forged a reputation as a solid and reliable midfielder.

SULLEY MUNTARI (Juventus)

With Riccardo Montolivo injured, Muntari lined up in front of Milan's four-man defence for the visit of Torino, a fixture which the hosts had to win to boost their chances of Champions League football next season. The Ghanaian, however, had a mediocre game. Muntari lost possession a few times and was less than convincing in terms of moving the ball to fellow midfielders and the three front players. Mario Balotelli's late strike secured the points for Milan but after Napoli's later 3-1 win over Inter, the Rossoneri are still seven points off second place, synonymous with direct qualification for the Champions League. Milan can still qualify for the competition if they finish third, but would have to come through a preliminary qualifying round.

RUSSIA

AHMED MUSA (CSKA Moscow)

The Nigerian forward spearheaded the attacks of the army side, who beat visiting Terek Grozny 1-0 to maintain their league lead and end a three-match winless streak. Musa kept the visitors' defence under constant pressure before being substituted with 11 minutes left.

SAMUEL ETO'O (Anzhi Makhachkala)

The four-time African Footballer of the Year from Cameroon missed a hatful of scoring chances for third-place Anzhi before netting the 89th-minute goal that delivered a 2-1 victory over Rubin Kazan.

LACINA TRAORE (Anzhi)

The Ivory Coast marksman, back in action after a hip injury, came on as a late substitute and equalised within three minutes before setting up Eto'o for the winner.

DAME N'DOYE (Lokomotiv Moscow)

The Senegalese striker netted his side's second goal eight minutes after half-time from a spot kick in a 4-2 win at Amkar Perm.

SPAIN

ODION IGHALO (Granada)

Ighalo scored the only goal as Granada took a huge step towards securing La Liga survival with a 1-0 win over Malaga. The Nigerian swept home Yacine Brahimi's cross midway through the first half to move the Andalusians three points clear of the relegation zone.

NOSA IGIEBOR (Real Betis)

Igiebor played for 69 minutes as Betis were beaten 4-2 at Barcelona despite leading twice in the first half. The Nigerian impressed with his strength in possession and laid the ball off for Ruben Perez to smash home Betis' second goal.

ALEX SONG (Barcelona)

Cameroonian midfielder Song started for the seventh consecutive league game as Barca moved within two points of sealing the title by defeating Betis.