‘Disgusting’ decisions rob Wigan – Chelsea 2 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on April 8, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Roberto Martinez

Roberto Martinez disgusted by the poor officials

Two key decisions by the linesman robbed Wigan Athletic of at least a point at Stamford Bridge which would have taken them out of the relegation zone. It is hard enough for a team like Wigan to go to a Champions League team like Chelsea and get a result but when you have to play the officials as well it makes it near impossible.

Wigan retained the same starting eleven that had outplayed Stoke City while Chelsea’s strength in-depth was for all to see as they made seven changes from their win over Benfica.

Wigan started the game competitively and there was little to separate the two sides in the opening half despite the difference in league positions.

Chelsea did create a great chance on 38 minutes when Juan Mata twisted and turned inside the Wigan area before bringing a good save from Ali Al Habsi. The rebound fell to Didier Drogba who headed towards goal but the danger was well cleared by Maynor Figueroa.

Just before half time Drogba had another opportunity when his header Al Habsi’s legs and the ball went over the cross bar. But Wigan were holding their own, closing down the opposition and playing some neat football.

As the teams went in at half time there was a belief in the Wigan camp that they could go on to achieve at least a point.

The opening stages of the second half did nothing to discourage Wigan’s belief and the home crowd were getting increasingly frustrated by Chelsea’s lack of progress. It was no surprise when Fernando Torres was introduced for the ineffective Florent Malouda on the hour-mark.

In the 62nd minute they took the lead in controversial circumstances. Juan Mata’s initial free kick was cleared, Raul Meireles returned the ball into the box but as the Wigan defence stepped out Branislav Ivanovic was clearly standing in a offside position as he finished. Uncharacteristically the whole Wigan team surrounded the linesman but he insisted the goal should stand and referee Mike Jones agreed.

Almost immediately Wigan had the chance to equalise, Victor Moses broke into the Chelsea box before playing the ball sideways to Franco Di Santo whose shot managed to beat keeper Petr Cech but the ball was cleared off the line by Ivanovic.

On 71 minutes Roberto Martinez introduced Mohammed Diame and Ben Watson for James McArthur and Jean Beausejour as Wigan pushed to get the equaliser.

On 82 minutes they drew level when Diame unleashed an unstoppable left foot drive from the edge of the box past Cech. It was no more than Wigan deserved, but they were to be undone in stoppage time as the linesman once again made a mistake.

Gary Caldwell went forward hoping to grab the winner for Wigan, as he had done at Liverpool, but this time he failed to bring the ball under control from six yards out and the chance was wasted. Chelsea broke towards the Wigan goal and Torres cross shot came off the base of the post and fell to Mata who turned the ball into the net from a offside position.  It was a closer decision than the first goal but it was still clearly offside. Wigan had been undone not by a better team but by a desperately poor linesman.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez interviewed after the game said the decisions were disgusting. He said of the offside decisions “People keep asking: Is it time to bring in technology? No, it’s time to bring in referees and linesmen who know the laws of the game.”

Both goals were clearly offside and the first goal in particular was so far offside that it is hard to comprehend how the linesman did not flag. Wigan’s sense of injustice is acute.

So far this season Wigan have had to endure some terrible decisions by referees and linesmen. The Blackburn corner that Pedersen played to himself before they scored, the Conor Sammon sending off at Old Trafford that wasn’t and now two offside goals for Chelsea. It is hard not to feel that there is a conspiracy to get Wigan relegated from the Premier League this season, I’m hoping I will be proved wrong.

Posted in Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea, Juan Mata, Mohammed Diame, Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wigan’s tiki-taka triumphs over Stoke’s long ball tactics – Wigan Athletic 2 Stoke City 0

Posted on April 1, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Antolin Alcaraz scored his first goal of the season

Wigan recorded only their second home win and first back to back wins of the season as they thoroughly outplayed a rather jaded looking Stoke outfit.

Wigan competed for every ball with their traditionally physical opponents but it was their neat tiki-taka play that made the difference between the two sides.

Shaun Maloney, James McCarthy, James McArthur carried on from their fine performances against Liverpool with some neat interplays and determined closing down.

Stoke’s long ball tactics were expertly dealt with by Wigan’s back line, in particular Gary Caldwell and Antolin Alcaraz stood up well to Stoke’s aerial bombardment. Peter Crouch is one of the most difficult characters to nullify in the air but Wigan coped admirably and limited their opponents to only a few half chances.

Wigan on the other hand created chance after chance. In the opening minutes Franco Di Santo had a one on one with Asmir Begovic but the Argentinian striker fired straight at the keeper’s legs and the ball went out for a corner.

Soon afterwards Jean Beausejour had another great opportunity when he found himself unmarked in the six yard box but he miss hit his shot and Robert Huth cleared the danger.

Shaun Maloney had a great volley saved by Begovic and soon after another attempt from outside the box which the keeper spilled for a corner. The Bosnian goalkeeper was looking uncomfortable under pressure and he was by far the busier keeper as Wigan pressed forward.

Beausejour  and Emmerson Boyce were a constant threat and Boyce had a great chance when only a yard from goal, after a superb cross field pass by Maloney, but instead of hitting the ball first time he attempted to bring it under control and the opportunity was wasted.

Throughout the half Wigan had moved the ball from side to side changing the point of attack and creating many problems for the Stoke defenders. Maloney and Moses made inroads into the Stoke penalty area, but despite Wigan’s dominance the teams went in level at the break.

Early in the second half Dean Whitehead clearly handled the ball in the Stoke penalty area but referee Clattenburg waved away Wigan’s appeals for a penalty. However, it was not long before justice was done as Latics scored an exquisite goal. Beausejour put in an inch perfect cross and from ten yards out Antolin Alcaraz headed powerfully into the right hand corner of the Stoke net.

Soon afterwards Beausejour had another amazing opportunity when from Ben Watson’s free kick he was left free in front of goal but he scuffed his shot and the ball went tamely to Begovic.

At one nil Wigan could never be totally confident of the result but Stoke rarely tested Ali Al Habsi despite the introduction of Ricardo Fuller, Wilson Palacios and Cameron Jerome.

In stoppage time Wigan sealed the result after an excellent piece of work by Moses. He snatched the ball off Andy Wilkinson on the half way line and raced towards goal before rounding Begovic and tapping the ball into the Stoke net.

It was a day for football purists, with Wigan’s excellent tiki-taka style of football overcoming the long ball and physical approach adopted by Stoke.

If this style of play and level of performance can be maintained in the remaining seven games Wigan Athletic will be playing Premier League football again next season.

Posted in Antolin Alcaraz, Stoke City, Victor Moses, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A memorable day for all Wigan fans – Liverpool 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on March 25, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Gary Caldwell gets the winner at Anfield

Wigan Athletic went into this game with most people having already written off their chances of Premier League survival. However a small band of travelling supporters still believed in miracles and against all the odds ‘Little Wigan’ achieved their first ever win at Anfield.

Latics retained the same starting eleven from last Saturday’s draw against West Brom with both Hugo Rodallega and Momo Diame unavailable due to injury.

Wigan showed early promise when Victor Moses outstripped the Liverpool back line and after a typical jinking run had his shot blocked by Martin Skrtel.

Liverpool then produced a couple of efforts on the Wigan goal but Ali Al Habsi dealt with them fairly comfortably.

However, Wigan were showing they had the determination and fighting spirit to compete against one of the highest spenders in the Premier League and in the 30th minute they took the lead.

Gary Caldwell chipped the ball into the Liverpool box and Jamie Carragher’s back header fell between Skrtel and Moses and the Liverpool defender dangerously kicked the Nigerian international in the head. It was a clear penalty and Shaun Maloney competently fired his spot kick past Pepe Reina.

Moses left the field visibly shaken and was subsequently taken to hospital. Wigan played ten minutes hoping he could return but it was not to be and the diminutive Albert Crusat came on as his replacement.

In the final minutes of the first half Liverpool could not make the numerical advantage pay and Latics went into the break just about deserving their lead.

Kenny Dalglish introduced Andy Carroll for Jordan Henderson at half time and adopted a more attacking formation to pressurise the Wigan goal and it was not long before they equalised.

Luis Suarez played a neat one two with Steven Gerrard before finishing low to Al Habsi’s right.

Liverpool were now in the ascendancy and it looked as though Suarez  had scored in the 54th minute but referee Mason rightly ruled out the goal for hand ball.

Everyone expected a Liverpool onslaught but fortunately for Wigan it failed to materialise and in the 63rd minute Wigan took the lead.

James McCarthy’s shot was deflected by Carragher and the ball fell to Gary Caldwell who deftly brought the ball under control before slotting past Reina.

The small band of travelling supporters were ecstatic. Could Wigan hold on and record a memorable first ever win at Anfield?

Although there was still half an hour to play and referee Mason added an extra five minutes injury time, it is fair to say that Liverpool rarely looked  like scoring.

Wigan were enjoying long spells of possession with some great interchanges between the Latics midfielders, in particular McArthur, McCarthy and Maloney were all outstanding.

As the game progressed Wigan looked more and more comfortable. Ben Watson replaced Jean Beausejour and Conor Sammon came on for the tiring Franco Di Santo, but Wigan’s continuity was not to be disrupted.

Overall it had been a great team performance by a Wigan team fully deserving of the victory. In sporting fashion many Liverpool fans applauded their opponents as they left the field.

Wigan Athletic had made history by winning for the first time at Anfield. It had been a memorable day, not only for the eight hundred Wigan supporters at the game but for Latics fans everywhere.

Posted in Gary Caldwell, Liverpool, Luis Suarez, Shaun Maloney, Steven Gerrard, Victor Moses, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latics only draw but sometimes other things are more important – Wigan Athletic 1 West Bromwich Albion 1

Posted on March 18, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Fabrice Muamba

Fabrice Muamba in critical condition

For the second week running Wigan produced an outstanding attacking performance creating numerous chances but ultimately failing to take all three points.

Both sides made changes from their previous line ups with Franco Di Santo replacing the injured Hugo Rodallega and Shaun Maloney starting ahead of Jordi Gomez for the Latics. West Brom were missing the injured Peter Odemwingie and the suspended Jonas Olssen and the ex -Wiganer Paul Scharner was also making a rare start for the Baggies.

Wigan started the game in ferocious fashion creating three great opportunities for Franco Di Santo in the opening five minutes. By the law of averages the Argentinian striker should have netted at least one of them.

Wigan were producing some excellent football with great combination play in the Albion half. Jean Beausejour put over some telling crosses but the Wigan attackers just couldn’t convert.

The chances were coming thick and fast. Beausejour’s cross from the left reached the far post, where Emmerson Boyce headed firmly against the cross bar. James McCarthy also struck the cross bar from 20 yards and from the consequent rebound Ben Foster saved from Victor Moses.

Wigan went in at half time wondering how they had contrived not to be in the lead.

But early in the second half they took a deserved lead. Moses produced some excellent work by beating his defender and cutting the ball back from the by line and James McArthur bundled the ball over the line.

However the lead did not last long as Wigan sat back on the lead and after conceding consecutive corners Albion drew level when Chris Brunt’s corner was headed in by Paul Scharner at the far post.

Joseph Mulumbu should probably have been sent off for an ugly incident with James McArthur, but bizarrely referee Oliver only booked Malumbu, as well as Boyce and Thomas.

Wigan were desperate to get the winner and they continued to pound the Albion goal. Mohammed Diamé shot wide, Graham Dorrans denied Beausejour and Foster saved well from Gareth McAuley’s deflection.

Once again Wigan were unable to make their dominance count. Chance after chance had gone begging.

As the players left the pitch, drizzle turned to heavy rain and soaked the despondent Latics faithful as they trudged away from the stadium.

But as the fans made their way home news started to emerge of a shocking incident at White Hart Lane as Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba had collapsed with a cardiac arrest. The Bolton midfielder was critically ill and fighting for his life. Sometimes there are more important things in life than worrying about your football team.

Posted in Fabrice Muamba, James McArthur, Paul Scharner, WBA, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Wigan ruffle the Canaries feathers – Norwich City 1 Wigan Athletic 1

Posted on March 12, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Victor Moses on target

Victor Moses on target for the Latics

A spirited display by Wigan Athletic nearly gave them a deserved victory at Carrow Road. Bottom side Wigan created the majority of chances and were the dominant outfit in what was an entertaining end to end encounter.

Overall Wigan had 20 attempts on goal with the home side only managing 14. Wigan also dominated possession 55% to 45%, their dominance was particularly noticeable in the second half when they threatened to overrun their mid table opponents.

The game started in a cagey fashion with both sides seeming to be assessing the style of their opponents. But after only ten minutes it was Norwich who struck first after a poor piece of defending by Wigan captain Gary Caldwell. Simone Jackson crossed and Caldwell attempted to bring the ball under control rather than clear and Wes Hoolahan nipped in and hooked the ball over Ali Al Habsi.

Not an auspicious start for the Latics, but as the half progressed they started to gain more possession and created several clear opportunities. Jean Beausejour should have done better after being played in by Rodallega but his tame shot was easily saved by John Ruddy. Emmerson Boyce’s speculative cross hit the Norwich cross-bar and then Victor Moses crossed for Hugo Rodallega but the striker’s shot was too straight to beat the Norwich keeper.

Rodallega wasted another great chance when Ruddy spilled Jordi Gomez’s shot, and the Colombian’s shot was deflected over the bar from close range. Moses then had a chance when Rodallega’s shot was parried by Ruddy and the Nigerian international could not quite convert the rebound.

When the sides went in at half time there was a general feeling that Wigan were in the ascendency, but could they find the back of the net?

Early in the second half Grant Holt headed wide for Norwich before James McCarthy had a golden opportunity. After a neat one two with Jordi Gomez he surged into the Norwich penalty area but his shot went straight at keeper Ruddy.

However, the Wigan equaliser finally came when Victor Moses scored after a poor goal kick by Ruddy. Substitute Shaun Maloney, on for Gomez, played a defence splitting pass to Moses who rounded the keeper before slotting home.

As the game moved toward the final whistle there were chances at both ends. Elliot Ward had a header just wide of Al Habsi’s post and substitute Momo Diame, on for James McCarthy, should have scored after Maloney’s excellent cutback but he hit the ball into the ground and the ball bounced over the cross-bar.

The momentum continued when Jackson crossed for sub Steve Morison to head goal bound but Al Habsi produced a world-class save to deny the striker. Diame then powered into the box driving past several Norwich defenders but his shot was screwed wide of the far post.

Diame had made an instant impact, he must surely start next week against West Brom, his strength and power will make him an invaluable asset in the coming weeks.

Overall, the Latics performance was a huge improvement from last week, with both Rodallega and Moses looking lively upfront and the midfield pair of McCarthy and McArthur looking much more solid. Shaun Maloney was a revelation when he came on for Gomez, producing some neat passes and dangerous crosses. It is fair to say that if we can convert more of the chances we create our destiny will be in our own hands.

Wigan now have ten Cup Finals ahead, if we win six of these games we will stay up. It may be a tall order but this team certainly have the ability to do it.

Posted in Ali Al Habsi, Norwich City, Shaun Maloney, Victor Moses, Wes Hoolahan, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Swans Sigurdsson increases pressure on Martinez – Wigan Athletic 0 Swansea City 2

Posted on March 4, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Roberto Martinez

Under pressure Roberto Martinez

Swansea’s Gylfi Sigurdsson produced two great goals to push Wigan closer to the precipice of relegation. Wigan have only won one game at home this season and the goal shy Latics have only scored 23 goals in total, making them the lowest scorers in the Premier and Football Leagues.

On this occasion Roberto Martinez must take responsibility for his poor team selection but ultimately it is the players who let everyone down with their worst performance of the season.

Due to the late return of some of the players from international duty (including Victor Moses who only returned from Rwanda on Friday afternoon), Martinez adopted an uncharacteristic 5-3-2 formation with Conor Sammon and Franco Di Santo starting upfront. These two had a torrid first half, as neither player seemed capable of holding onto the ball, never mind threatening the Swansea goal.

The Wigan midfield looked all at sea with James McArthur, James McCarthy and Jordi Gomez all struggling to contain the sharper passing of Swansea’s Leon Britton, Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair.

Swansea had several chances to take the lead in the first half, Man of the Match Sigurdsson put Dyer through but Ali Al Habsi saved well and then former Wigan loanee Scott Sinclair had his attempt cleared off the line by McCarthy.

Wigan did have a couple of half chances when Jean Beausejour crossed for Di Santo but the forward failed to make contact with the ball and later Emmerson Boyce’s header at the back post was well stopped by Vorm.

But just on the stroke of half time Sigurdsson gave Swansea a deserved lead. Steven Caulker fed the Icelander 20 yards out and his unstoppable curling shot found the top corner of the Wigan net.

This Wigan formation and personnel clearly wasn’t working,  it was essential that changes were made at half time. Martinez duly introduced Mohammed Diame and Victor Moses for the ineffectual McArthur and Sammon.

Wigan initially looked invigorated by the changes but on 54 minutes Moses recklessly fouled Dyer and Sigurdsson produced a stunning free kick to double the Swans lead.

On 60 minutes Wigan had an opportunity to gain a foothold in the game when Dyer was rather harshly sent off for a high challenge on Jordi Gomez.

With Swansea down to 10 men surely Wigan would impose themselves and make their numerical advantage count. Hugo Rodallega was introduced as an extra attacker but despite a lot of huffing and puffing and a few half chances Wigan rarely looked like they could penetrate the Swansea back line.

As the final whistle approached boos rang out from the home fans and the Stadium quickly emptied.

The pressure on Roberto Martinez is mounting, with many irate fans calling for his head. However, despite owner Dave Whelan’s criticism of Martinez’s team selection on BBC Radio 5 Live, I expect Martinez to remain in charge.

Unlike some people I don’t believe sacking the manager at this stage of the season would be beneficial. Despite all the doom and gloom around the DW Stadium the gap between the bottom five clubs is still only 2 points, so there is still a chance that Wigan can escape the drop. It will require a massive improvement on this performance, but it is not yet impossible.

Posted in Gylfi Sigurdsson, Roberto Martinez, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Wigan lack the killer touch – Wigan Athletic 0 Aston Villa 0

Posted on February 26, 2012 by ianhaspinall

Wigan played out a goalless draw against Aston Villa at the DW Stadium on Saturday and despite controlling long periods of the game they lacked the killer touch to overcome a Villa team that appeared lacking in confidence.

Roberto Martinez retained the same starting line up from the victory at Bolton, while Alex McLeish’s team were missing the injured captain Richard Dunne and striker Robbie Keane was playing his final game before returning to his host club Los Angeles Galaxy.

Latics dominated the early proceedings with former Birmingham winger Jean Beausejour instrumental in their best attacks. On several occasions he put the ball into dangerous areas but no Wigan player could convert the crosses.

James McCarthy did have a good opportunity from a Victor Moses cross but as he was about to shoot Emmerson Boyce unfortunately got in his way and the ball was cleared away to safety.

Beausejour’s corners were also causing problems for the Villa defence, and from one such corner Gary Caldwell acrobatically volleyed over when he looked odds on to hit the target.

Wigan were not completely having it their own way however, the lively Robbie Keane had a shot tipped around the post by Ali Al Habsi and then Keane played in Darren Bent for a one-on-one with Al Habsi, but fortunately for Wigan Bent played the ball against the keeper’s legs and the opportunity was spurned.

Despite all of Wigan’s possession and creativity in the first half they never really posed a serious threat to the Villa goal.

The second half continued with Wigan having the territorial advantage and Villa looking like a side content with a point. As the game progressed Villa’s three thousand followers seemed increasingly frustrated that they were being outplayed by the Premier League’s bottom side. Chants of ‘McLeish Out’ emanated from the Villa fans as Wigan pushed hard for the winner. Villa’s distress got worse in the 78th minute when Darren Bent went down injured after an innocuous challenge by Alcaraz and was carried off on a stretcher.

Wigan had three good chances to win it before the end. Substitute Hugo Rodallega shot straight at Given from a good position and then fired just over from outside the penalty box before Franco Di Santo had his low drive expertly tipped around the post by Given.

Wigan had been the better side for long periods, dominating possession 60/40 and producing 18 shots to Villa’s 10. But once again their lack of a cutting edge meant they were unable to breach the Villa rearguard. If only Wigan had a proven goal scorer in their ranks, a player who could finish the chances they are creating, they would now be sitting comfortably in a mid-table position.

Last season Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia both scored nine league goals but currently Wigan’s leading scorer is Franco Di Santo with a paltry four. Unfortunately as we were unable to sign a striker in the January transfer window, we must now find a goalscorer from within the current squad. We desperately need Rodallega to recapture his goalscoring form and the other forwards, Di Santo, Moses and Sammon to start hitting the back of the net on a regular basis if we are to survive.

Posted in Aston Villa, Charles N'Zogbia, Conor Sammon, Darren Bent, Hugo Rodallega, Robbie Keane, Victor Moses, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

McArthur’s Park – Bolton Wanderers 1 Wigan Athletic 2

Posted on February 12, 2012 by ianhaspinall
James McArthur

James McArthur gets the winner

A great box-to-box performance by James McArthur was the driving force in a deserved win for Wigan at their local rivals Bolton. McArthur epitomised the Wigan spirit when after spurning one great opportunity his persistance paid off as he grabbed the winning goal.

It was a crucial result for Latics as defeat would have set them adrift at the foot of the table. Now with 13 games remaining only two points separate the bottom five teams.

Bolton started the game the brighter and Wigan’s defence looked shaky in the opening minutes as Gary Caldwell nearly turned the ball into his own net from a Martin Petrov cross and soon after he survived a hand ball appeal.

But as the first half progressed Wigan gained in confidence and soon started to dominate possession and create chances. They were a much more determined outfit than in recent weeks and the players showed they are prepared to fight for their Premier League lives.

In Wigan’s first serious attack Victor Moses weaved his way into the Bolton area and fired into the side netting. Soon after Franco Di Santo’s long-range effort sailed just over the cross-bar and James McArthur shot wide before Latics deservedly took the lead.

Jean Beausejour’s corner was met by a well-directed header by Gary Caldwell and the Wigan faithful celebrated in somewhat untypical fashion with flares and smoke emanating from behind the goal.

This was a very hardworking Latics performance with Franco Di Santo battling and robust upfront, James McArthur and McCarthy fiercely competitive in midfield, closing down the Bolton attacks and getting into the opposition box whenever possible.

The second half continued with Wigan in control and they should have increased their lead on 60 minutes when Moses cut into the box and presented McArthur with a golden chance but his side footed shot went straight at Adam Bogdan.

It looked like the miss might be crucial when in the 67th minute Bolton equalised. A long clearance by Bogdan hit the back of David N’Gog and Mark Davies superb shot flew into the top corner of the Wigan net.

The goal was against the run of play but many Wigan fans must have feared that their inability to finish off their opponents would once again be their downfall.

However, on this occasion Wigan got their just rewards. From a good position Victor Moses shot straight at Bogdan who could only parry his shot into the path of McArthur who this time made no mistake.

Wigan held out for a desperately needed victory but not before their perennial hero Ali Al Habsi had made a miraculous save from substitute Ryo Miyaichi.

Wigan now go into their next home game against Aston Villa in two weeks time with renewed confidence and a real belief that the great escape is still possible.

Posted in Bolton Wanderers, Gary Caldwell, James McArthur, Mark Davies, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Wigan unable to capitalise on Howard mistake – Wigan Athletic 1 Everton 1

Posted on February 5, 2012 by ianhaspinall
Tim Howard

Tim Howard

It was another frustrating afternoon at the DW Stadium as a spirited Wigan were once again unable to secure three points against Everton despite taking the lead in bizarre circumstances.

In freezing cold temperatures Latics lined up against an invigorated Everton team who had defeated title favourites Manchester City on Tuesday night. £5 million signing Nikica Jelavic only started on the bench but Steven Pienaar returned to the Everton starting line up after an unsuccessful sojourn at Spurs. Wigan’s only transfer deadline signing Jean Beausejour made his home debut as an attacking wing back.

The first real opening of the game fell to the home team when Maynor Figueroa’s superb forty yard pass found Franco Di Santo on the edge of the 18 yard box, the Argentinian should have given Wigan the lead but his shot was hit straight at Tim Howard.

Everton’s best opening came when ex-Wiganer Leighton Baines pulled the ball back to Darron Gibson on the edge of the Wigan box but the former Manchester United player blasted high and wide.

Jean Beausejour was linking up well with Jordi Gomez on the left hand side and he was looking the most likely to unlock the Everton defence. On a couple of occasions he whipped in good crosses but the other forwards failed to make the opportunities count.

Everton seemed relatively content to absorb Wigan pressure and the teams went in level at half time.

David Moyes introduced Phil Neville for the ineffectual Tim Cahill at half time and the tempo upped at the start of the second half. Everton had a good spell of possession but no clear chance came from it.

Nikica Jelavic was introduced in place of Stracqualursi on 60 minutes and Wigan brought on David Jones and Hugo Rodallega for Ronnie Stam and Jordi Gomez soon afterwards.

It was looking as though one goal would decide it and it was Wigan who took the lead in freakish fashion on 76 minutes. Beausejour’s low cross was deflected towards goal by Neville and Howard bizarrely allowed the spinning ball to slip through his hands into the net.

Wigan then had an opportunity to ensure the three points when Victor Moses broke quickly and with Rodallega and Crusat in better goal scoring positions he elected to shoot straight at Heitinga. Two nil would have effectively sealed the game for Latics with ten minutes remaining.

Moses inability to make the final shot or pass count has been a frustration all season. He has great ability and his darting runs are a constant threat, but he still needs to learn how to finish off his good work if he is to become a top player.

Wigan’s inability to finish off Everton encouraged their opponents to push for the equaliser. After a succession of corners the ball was cleared to Leighton Baines who crossed for Victor Anichebe to head past Ali Al Habsi.

Overall it had been an evenly fought encounter but Wigan had been presented with a great opportunity to win the game. Their inability to finish off opponents may come back to haunt them at the end of the season. Latics now haven’t taken three points since 10th December last year when they won away at West Bromwich Albion. It goes without saying that next week’s bottom of the table encounter at Bolton would be the ideal time to take the three points and commence another great escape.

Posted in Everton, Jean Beausejour, Tim Howard, Victor Anichebe, Victor Moses, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

We will not give up

Posted on February 4, 2012 by ianhaspinall
We will not give up

We will not give up

This is a great rallying call for all Latics fans. Come On Wigan, we need a win.

Posted in Roberto Martinez, We will not give up, Wigan Athletic | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment