Everton ride luck to snatch win at Wigan

January 30, 2010

Tim Cahill’s late goal earned in-form Everton a smash-and-grab 1-0 victory at Wigan on Saturday that extends their unbeaten run to nine matches in the Premier League.

The visitors were indebted to off-colour finishing from a string of Wigan players, with Hugo Rodallega, Jason Scotland and substitute Paul Scharner all unable to convert presentable chances before Cahill struck in the 84th minute.

The Australian international midfielder, who also scored in the 2-0 mid-week win over Sunderland, was allowed to run unchecked onto Leighton Baines’s corner and he beat Vladimir Stojkovic with a powerful header.

Everton’s crossbar was rattled deep into injury time when Charles N’Zogbia crashed a rising drive against the woodwork, giving Everton their final let-off on an afternoon of close shaves.

Victory allows David Moyes’s side to edge to within two points of eighth-placed Birmingham, while Wigan remain 14th.

The visitors saw most of the ball in the game’s early stages but Wigan soon began to find gaps at the other end and their forwards Scotland and Rodallega both spurned chances to put the hosts in front.

First Rodallega was denied by Tim Howard in the Everton goal after Scotland set him free and when Rodallega returned the favour moments later, the former Swansea man blazed well over.

Everton handed a first start to on-loan Arsenal centre-back Philippe Senderos and his timely touch prevented Rodallega from putting Wigan in front just short of the half-hour as the Colombian prepared to pull the trigger.

Louis Saha had a strong penalty appeal waved away after tussling with Wigan new boy Gary Caldwell shortly before half-time, while Wigan old boy Baines tested Stojkovic from a free-kick early in the second period.

Controversy ensued shortly after when N’Zogbia was bundled over by Jonny Heitinga right on the edge of the Everton area.

The Wigan players appealed for a penalty but Alan Wiley gave a free-kick and the home side were unable to take advantage.

In their push for a breakthrough Wigan introduced Scharner, who has scored four of his 13 Premier League goals against the Toffees, and he twice went close, volleying over the crossbar and then shooting straight at Howard with 18 minutes to play.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: alan wiley, Birmingham, Charles, crossbar, David Moyes, forwards, free kick, Gary Caldwell, hugo rodallega, injury time, Jason Scotland, leighton baines, london, louis saha, midfielder, Paul Scharner, philippe senderos, premier league, second period, Sunderland, Swansea, tim cahill, tim howard, vladimir stojkovic, Wigan, woodwork

Penalty king Sorensen saves Stoke again

December 12, 2009

Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen enhanced his reputation as the Premier League’s penalty king by saving Hugo Rodallega’s late spot-kick to rescue a 2-2 draw against Wigan on Saturday.

Sorensen has now saved penalties in three of his last four matches, but none were as vital as his last minute stop at the Britannia Stadium.

Wigan had taken the lead through Emmerson Boyce’s early header, but Tuncay Sanli’s first goal since his move from Middlesbrough brought the hosts level.

A sensational goal from Maynor Figueroa, who beat Sorensen with a perfectly-placed dipping strike from inside his own half, restored Wigan’s lead.

Ryan Shawcross equalised for Stoke moments later but a remarkable match featured one last piece of drama as Sorensen denied Columbia striker Rodallega from the spot.

Wigan had snatched the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked set-piece.

Rodallega’s header from a Jason Koumas free-kick was superbly saved by Sorensen, but Boyce was perfectly placed to dive in and head home as the Stoke goalkeeper laid prone on the turf.

Boyce was kicked in the head by Salif Diao in the process and then collided with Sorensen. Confusion briefly reigned as referee Mike Dean waved on the physios before finally signalling that he had allowed the goal.

Stoke equalised in the 37th minute when Shawcross flicked Sorensen’s kick on to Tuncay on the left of the penalty area and he slotted past Chris Kirkland from a narrow angle as the Wigan defence backed off.

Wigan matched Stoke well in the second half and went in front with a brilliant piece of quick thinking from Figueroa in the 72nd minute.

Robert Huth fouled Scott Sinclair two yards in the Latics own half and, with no Stoke player standing over the ball, the Honduran left-back launched the free-kick goalwards and it sailed over Sorensen and into the top corner from 61 yards.

Wigan’s lead lasted just two minutes as Shawcross outjumped Figueroa at the other end to head in Matthew Etherington’s corner with Kirkland caught in no man’s land.

James Beattie, who fell out with Stoke boss Tony Pulis last week after a dressing room row over the club’s Christmas party, came on for the final minutes.

It was Wigan who finished stronger though. In the 89th minute Huth brought down Jordi Gomez, who was clearly offside, and Dean awarded the penalty.

Rodallega’s nerve failed him as he fired his spot-kick straight at Sorensen, who has now conceded just one of the last six penalties he has faced in the Premier League.

STOKE, England (AFP)

Tags: brilliant piece, britannia stadium, chris kirkland, Columbia, diao, emmerson boyce, England, figueroa, free kick, Goalkeeper, hugo rodallega, James Beattie, jason koumas, matthew etherington, maynor, Mike Dean, narrow angle, premier league, robert huth, Ryan Shawcross, scott sinclair, shawcross, striker, thomas sorensen, tony pulis, tuncay sanli

Cech questions Latics dismissal

September 28, 2009

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits he was surprised to be sent off in his side’s shock defeat to Wigan.

Cech was shown a straight red card by referee Phil Dowd for tripping Hugo Rodallega to concede a penalty early in the second half of the Blues’ 3-1 defeat at the DW Stadium.

It was only Cech’s second sending-off of his career and he felt the decision was harsh because Ashley Cole was getting back to try and tackle Rodallega.

“The penalty call was too strict,” Cech told his personal website.

“It surprised me that I was sent off, because I was not the last player. Ashley Cole was running behind my back.”

Cech had no excuses for Chelsea’s performance as they slumped to their first defeat of the season.

“We played very badly,” added Cech. “We were not going along with the tasks we had set before the match.

“In the second half our performance improved, we equalised but then the penalty came.”

Cech, who will miss next weekend’s clash with Liverpool through suspension, is confident Carlo Ancelotti’s men can make amends for their poor showing at Wigan.

“The league is very long and there will be plenty of games in which we can undo this defeat,” he concluded.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: ashley cole, carlo ancelotti, CHELSEA, chelsea goalkeeper petr cech, clash, Cole, DW Stadium, games, hugo rodallega, Liverpool, match, personal website, Petr Cech, Phil Dowd, referee, second half, shock defeat

Ancelotti expects Chelsea to respond to Wigan setback

September 27, 2009

Carlo Ancelotti has promised Chelsea will provide a response when they travel to Apoel Nicosia after suffering their first defeat under the Italian.

The Blues head to Nicosia for Champions League duty on Wednesday hoping to make up for a miserable 3-1 defeat at Wigan on Saturday.

It was the first time they have been beaten since March and the first time they had lost since former AC Milan coach Ancelotti took over at Stamford Bridge in the close-season.

The concern for the Italian is that Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel could both miss the Champions League match after sustaining injuries at the DW Stadium.

Cole picked up a knee injury that forced him to be carried off while midfielder Mikel suffered an ankle problem.

Ancelotti is also facing up to the fact that Henrique Hilario will have to fill in for Petr Cech against Liverpool next Sunday, after the Czech goalkeeper was sent off in the defeat to the Latics.

Manchester United’s 2-0 win at Stoke meant that Sir Alex Ferguson’s team moved above Chelsea on goal difference.

But while Ancelotti wants to see more from his team in Nicosia, he expects to fight United all the way in the title race.

He said: “I think that there will be a lot of competition until the end of the season.

“I don’t know why we lost at Wigan because we prepared very well and we knew what was important.

“This can happen after a lot of victories and we have to accept this loss and fix it in the next match in the Champions League.

“I don’t think we were over-confident. In football it can happen that one day it?s not good and now we have to look forward.”

Titus Bramble opened the scoring against the Londoners before Dider Drogba equalised a minute after the restart.

But after Cech was sent off for tripping Hugo Rodallega, the Colombian converted the resulting spot-kick before Paul Scharner added Wigan?s third in the closing stages.

Latics manager Roberto Martinez felt Wigan have shown how to play against Chelsea after picking up a first victory over a ‘big four’ team in 35 attempts.

He said: “The only way that you can upset Chelsea a little bit is to not allow them the ball, not allow them to feel themselves and they found it difficult in that respect but the moment you switch off you’re going to be punished.

“All the positive things we did were backed up by the concentration levels at the back and it was a complete performance.

“When you are a team like Wigan and you’ve got Chelsea at home, you’ve got two options. You can be brave and beat them or you can get hammered.

“In the the last two games (against Manchester United and Arsenal) we lost 5-0 and 4-0 and the only reason that we won against Chelsea was that we maintained our standards, we learned our lessons and we were brave from the first second.”

WIGAN, England (AFP)

Tags: ac milan, alex ferguson, ashley cole, carlo ancelotti, cech, CHELSEA, Cole, Drogba, DW Stadium, England, first victory, goal difference, hilario, hugo rodallega, John, latics, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, Nicosia, Paul Scharner, roberto martinez, sir alex ferguson, stamford bridge, Titus Bramble

Arsenal bounce back in style with Wigan win

September 19, 2009

Arsenal bounced back from last week’s traumatic defeat at Manchester City with centreback Thomas Vermaelen scoring twice in a 4-0 stroll against Wigan.

Croatia international Eduardo claimed the third although the ball found the net via a deflection off Emmanuel Eboue and Cesc Fabregas notched a fourth in stoppage time as Arsene Wenger’s side turned on the style at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal?s players had been left nursing a few bruises and damaged egos after their 4-2 defeat at Eastlands.

But they made amends here and sent out a clear signal that they intend to be part of the title race this season.

Wenger saw his side outplayed in Manchester and then suffer a scare in midweek when they were forced to overturn an early two-goal deficit to beat Standard Liege 3-2 in the Champions League.

The Frenchman had claimed that fightback would give his side a significant confidence boost and that appeared vindicated here as they cruised past a below-par Wigan side.

Arsenal were without their first choice goalkeeper, Manuel Almunia, who is suffering from a chest infection, while Russian playmaker Andrey Arshavin was also sidelined by a groin problem.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez stuck with the side that had beaten West Ham last weekend but must have wondered if he had erred as Arsenal quickly assumed control before Vermaelen headed them in front midway through the opening period.

The Belgium international was unmarked in the Wigan box as he rose to nod in Robin van Persie’s corner.

It was no less than the home side deserved having already generated chances for van Persie, William Gallas and Abou Diaby to open the scoring.

Eboue should have made it 2-0 in the 35th minute when he was played in by van Persie with only Chris Kirkland to beat.

But the Ivory Coast international dragged his shot well wide when he should have hit the target.

That miss provided the necessary spark to get Wigan back into this match as they enjoyed their best spell of pressure five minutes before half-time.

Hugo Rodallega did his best to outmuscle the impressive Vermaelen while Mohamed Diame was only denied a clear shot at goal by a last-ditch tackle by Bacary Sagna.

Van Persie squandered another chance in first half stoppage time. The Wigan defence were nowhere to be seen when he chested down Fabregas? free-kick but despite his acrobatic kick, he was unable to hit the target, while Eduardo failed to slide home the follow up.

Arsenal resumed control after the break and it was no surprise when Vermaelen made it 2-0 in the 49th minute.

The defender picked up the ball in midfield, played a one-two with Eboue before calmly lofting the ball past Kirkland.

Wigan looked shaky and a third goal was duly conceded after Eduardo sprinted forward and unleashed a low shot which beat Kirkland only to strike the upright.

The ball rebounded into the box and the Croatia striker slotted past a static Wigan defence, although the strike took a deflection off Eboue on the way over the line.

Wigan thought they had scored an unlikely consolation when Jason Scotland?s effort found its way to fellow sub Paul Scharner.

The Austrian defender thumped the ball past Vito Mannone but saw his effort chalked off for offside.

Fabregas completed the scoring late on when he turned in Nicklas Bendtner?s cross at the near post with a neat finish.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: andrey arshavin, arsene wenger, Belgium, cesc fabregas, chest infection, clear signal, croatia, deflection, Eastlands, Eduardo, Emirates Stadium, emmanuel eboue, groin problem, hugo rodallega, Ivory Coast, Jason Scotland, manchester city, Manuel Almunia, Nicklas Bendtner, Paul Scharner, roberto martinez, robin van persie, stoppage time, Thomas Vermaelen, Van Persie, Vito Mannone, west ham, Wigan, William Gallas

Keogh ruins Martinez´s Wigan return

August 19, 2009

Wolverhampton forward Andrew Keogh ruined Wigan boss Roberto Martinez’s first home match in charge of the Latics as his early goal clinched a 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Former Wigan midfielder Martinez saw his side win 2-0 at Aston Villa in Saturday’s Premier League opener, but his homecoming at the DW Stadium ended in disappointment thanks to Keogh’s header.

Wigan pressed hard for an equaliser but the visitors battled gamely to hold onto their first victory since promotion from the Championship last season.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy was without former Manchester United striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who had a hamstring injury, while captain Jody Craddock made the 500th start of his club career.

But Keogh filled in nicely for Ebanks-Blake. He was close to putting McCarthy’s men ahead in the second minute when he cut back onto his right foot to curl a shot which struck the far post.

Keogh didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring. In the sixth minute the Republic of Ireland international rose above Paul Scharner to glance Nenad Milijas’s free-kick past Chris Kirkland and in off the post.

It was Wolves’ first Premier League goal since 2004 and they should have had another soon after. This time Keogh was the provider as his flick found Greg Halford, only for the unmarked midfielder to shoot over.

Wigan gradually began to exert some pressure of their own. Martinez’s team had the ball in the net when Jordi Gomez headed in Charles N’Zogbia’s free-kick but the effort was ruled out for offside.

Latics defender Titus Bramble headed wide from a corner, then N’Zogbia squandered a glorious chance when he ran on to Hugo Rodallega’s flick only to shoot tamely at Wayne Hennessey.

Wolves appealed for a penalty when Keogh was caught by Bramble’s out-stretched foot, but referee Mick Jones booked the forward for diving.

Martinez made a double substitution in the 61st minute, sending on striker Jason Scotland and on-loan Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair for Michael Brown and Jason Koumas.

Sinclair headed Gomez’s cross agonisingly wide at the far post and Scharner fired over in the last chance of the game as Wolves survived.

WIGAN (AFP)

Tags: Andrew, CHELSEA, chris kirkland, club career, ebanks, first victory, greg halford, home match, hugo rodallega, jason koumas, Jason Scotland, jody craddock, Jordi Gomez, keogh, latics, league goal, Manchester, michael brown, mick jones, mick mccarthy, nenad milijas, Paul Scharner, premier league, republic of ireland, roberto martinez, scott sinclair, Titus Bramble, Wayne Hennessey

Wigan boss Martinez vows to pursue strategy

August 16, 2009

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has insisted the Latics will play in the same attacking fashion that saw them beat Aston Villa when they face the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea.

Former Wigan midfielder Martinez made a stunning start to life as a manager in the Premier League with a 2-0 opening day win away to Villa on Saturday and is determined to play positively even against the best sides in the country.

The Spaniard established a reputation for enterprising football at former club Swansea and has made it clear he is only prepared to lose in style.

Wigan secured their first ever opening day victory in the top-flight at Villa Park and Martinez’s classy side will undoubtedly be one of the more attractive teams to watch this season.

“I would still play football at the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea and we will always try and play this way,” Martinez said.

He added: “I’ve been told that Wigan have lost against those teams in the last four years but if we’re going to lose, we will lose in style.

“You have to be brave and take pride in what you’re doing. Football is about enjoying yourself and making sure you can express yourself.

“If you don’t enjoy football played like that you’re in the wrong business.

“I take pride in the high standards of the players and I want them to be creative. I want them to put a smile on the supporters’ faces and they have done that today (Saturday).

“We all knew this was going to be a difficult game but I’m very proud of the players for the performance. All the credit should go to them because we have lost a lot of players this summer.”

Hugo Rodallega gave Wigan the lead with a spectacular goal after 31 minutes before Jason Koumas made the points safe with a 56th minute strike.

Martin O’Neill’s Villa were well beaten and were booed off at the end of both halves by their frustrated supporters – only 90 minutes into the season.

Debutants Fabian Delph and Habib Beye were also substituted after disappointing performances but O’Neill refuesd to panic.

“If you (the supporters) pay your money, you can criticise if you see fit,” he said.

“It’s a disappointment really because after the initial 15 minutes we were second-best all afternoon.

“The fans would be disappointed with that performance. This is a new team and we’ve got to get ready for it.

“You can analyse everything but we were tired, which was a surprise. We need to get some more players,” O’Neill added.

“It’s a lengthy season and I’m going to have to look after the players. We played well enough last season to overcome a number of hurdles and we’ve got to do the same again.”

BIRMINGHAM, England, (AFP)

Tags: delph, fabian, habib beye, hugo rodallega, jason koumas, latics, manchester united, martin o neill, opening day, premier league, pride, reputation, roberto martinez, smile, Spaniard, spectacular goal, Swansea, top flight, victory, villa park

Martinez makes history as Wigan win at Villa

August 15, 2009

Martin O’Neill suffered another Wigan nightmare at Villa Park after Roberto Martinez took just one game to etch his name into the Latics’ record books here on Saturday.

Hugo Rodallega and Jason Koumas both struck to gift new boss Martinez a dream start and secured Wigan’s first opening day win in the Premier League.

Martinez was laughed at when he promised to bring his style of sexy football from former club Swansea but his classy side made Champions League hopefuls Villa look total chumps.

Villa have never beaten Wigan at home in five meetings and O’Neill will surely be pleading with the club’s American owner, Randy Lerner, for more funds to boost his tiny squad.

Former Celtic manager O’Neill’s squad is still so small his players struggle to fill the team coach, despite three pre-season signings.

There were debuts here for six million pounds wonder-kid Fabian Delph and ex-Newcastle star Habib Beye – but both suffered horror shows.

If points were handed out in the style stakes Martinez would coast it over most bosses and his team also looked accomplished in the Spaniard’s first outing in the Premier League.

Martinez was nearly celebrating in the 16th minute as Villa’s defence appeared to be having a siesta, with Charles N’Zogbia striking the upright with a low drive.

Incredibly, Wigan came even closer four minutes later when Villa winger James Milner performed heroics to hack Rodallega’s header off the line – with the visitors convinced it had crossed over for a goal.

But the Latics finally made their pressure count on the half hour in spectacular style.

Paul Scharner’s hopeful pass was inadvertently headed backwards by Nicky Shorey and Rodallega took the ball over his shoulder and arrowed an excellent shot over Brad Friedel into the top corner.

Villa’s most threatening moments came from the forward surges of Ashley Young, who tormented Mario Melchiot throughout the first half.

England winger Young nearly drew Villa level towards the end of the half but his free-kick was superbly saved by Chris Kirkland.

But the boos that rang in Villa’s ears as they trudged off at half-time grew even louder in the 56th minute.

Wales international Koumas capitalised on hesitant defending from Beye to break into the area and squeeze a shot under Friedel.

Villa hardly mounted a late fightback and their best chance saw Young’s close-range effort brilliantly deflected over the bar by Titus Bramble.

BIRMINGHAM, England (AFP)

Tags: Birmingham, brad friedel, chris kirkland, delph, England, Fabian Delph, habib beye, heroics, hopefuls, hugo rodallega, James Milner, jason koumas, Mario Melchiot, martin o neill, Martin O'Neill, new boss, NEWCASTLE, Paul Scharner, premier league, randy lerner, record books, roberto martinez, sexy football, Swansea, team coach, villa park, Wales, winger

Manchester United on brink of 18th Premier League title

May 14, 2009

WIGAN (AFP) – Manchester United moved to within one point of retaining the English Premier League title after coming from behind to beat Wigan 2-1 here on Wednesday.

Hugo Rodallega’s first-half strike had given Wigan hope of a major upset that would have thrown the title battle wide open.

But the introduction of Carlos Tevez early in the second-half proved the catalyst for a United fightback.

The Argentinian striker flicked in a mishit Michael Carrick shot for the equaliser just after the hour mark and Carrick sealed the victory with an 18-yard drive four minutes from time.

The victory leaves United needing a draw from either of their remaining two matches — against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday and away to Hull on May 24 — to be certain of what will be a record-equalling 18th English league title

Tags: AFP, arsenal, brink, carlos tevez, catalyst, English Premier League, equaliser, fightback, four minutes, hugo rodallega, HULL, Manchester, manchester united, may 24, Michael Carrick, old trafford, second half, striker, victory, Wigan

Bolton make it a near perfect 50th for Megson

May 2, 2009

WIGAN, England (AFP) – Bolton grabbed a valuable point in a scoreless draw at Wigan Saturday, giving manager Gary Megson almost the perfect 50th birthday present as they continue to stave off the threat of relegation.

With three games remaining Bolton now have 39 points and are ninth from bottom. It would effectively take some stunning results from teams below them to see them relegated.

Bolton had the best opportunity of the first-half as Gary Cahill’s thunderous effort from 20 metres out looked sure to go in but fortunately for the hosts the ball hit a Wigan player and went out for a corner.

Wigan rarely threatened the Bolton goal save two efforts from Hugo Rodallega which Finnish goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen saved.

Wigan had to readjust their defence at half-time as former Dutch international defender and club skipper Mario Melchiot could not return for the second-half as he had an unspecified injury and was replaced by Emmerson Boyce.

The home side were further debilitated early in the second-half when Austrian international defender Pasul Scharner appeared to suffer a knee injury and had to go off.

The only consolation for Wigan, who are 11th in the table, was that they ended a three-match losing run.