Kirky had certainly earned it with a string of world-class saves.
Manager Steve Bruce was also queuing up to buy the big fellow a beer after witnessing another supershow from the man he feels is England's No1.
Whelan says Kirkland is the best keeper in Europe let alone the Premier League.
It's certainly a typically bold claim on Whelan's part but few would disagree after seeing Kirkland's recent performances.
West Brom led and could have had two more goals but for Kirkland's brilliance. He kept Wigan in it by keeping his cool and two home goals followed to leave both the Latics' chairman and the manager purring in celebratory mood.
Bruce said: "Kirkland was superb. He is one of the best if not the best keeper I have ever worked with. He really is a different class.
"Some of the saves he pulled off were straight from the top-drawer
"You know what you get with Chris - he's absolute quality and he is also a workaholic.
"We have had to put the reins on him in training though.
Revised
"Chris is from the old school, he would be out working on the training ground from 9am to 2pm having footballs fired at him but a revised training regime has certainly helped him get over problems with his back.
"He has been able to spend more time carrying out strength and conditioning work and has clearly benefited. He turned in a brilliant performance against West Brom.
"Albion possibly felt they were mugged but the same thing has happened to us.
"We gave a bad goal away and could have conceded again but went up the other end and levelled through Henri Camara who again displayed a striker's instinct for goal."
Wigan were aiming for back-to-back victories for the first time under Bruce and dropped lucky with the winner coming from Emmerson Boyce with his first goal in Latics colours. Boyce, an unsung hero, was on target with a header.
The late winner completed a remarkable turn around for Wigan who looked in trouble after Ishmael Miller fired the Baggies ahead.
Latics showed terrific fighting spirit in the second half and made a significant move up the Premiership on the back of this win. Latics were again without Amr Zaki who is now being linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
A subdued Emile Heskey led the Latics attack against West Brom but it does look as if he will be leaving in January.
Heskey is not said to be keen on a contract extension and this could have been one of his last outings at the JJB.
As for a replacement, Wigan are linked with Zaki's Egyptian international team-mate Emab Moteab who plays for the Al-Ahly club but is currently on loan with Al-Ittihad from Jeddah.
Wigan have watched Moteab and club bosses may be feeling they have had the best out of Heskey.
If so, they are likely to sell him in January and cash in rather than see him move on at the end of his season when his current contract expires.
WIGAN: Kirkland 9, Taylor 7 (Melchiot 70mins 6), Figueroa 6 (Kilbane 81 mins), Bramble 6, Boyce 7, Brown 5 (Koumas 60mins, 7), Valenca 6, Palacios 6, Cattermole 7, Camara 6, Heskey 5
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