WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 - 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED - REPORT

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 – 1  NEWCASTLE UNITED

                                                         Ameobi 19

Would the real Newcastle United please stand-up? Four defeats in four previous visits to the DW Stadium and five defeats in eight games did not bode well for Alan Pardew’s men as they travelled down to Lancashire.

Yet when Howard Webb blew the final whistle Newcastle had beaten their hosts and moved themselves into the heady heights of mid-table security.

Both teams were desperate for victory to get some much needed breathing space from the relegation zone and Wigan, who were coming off an impressive draw against Arsenal on Wednesday night, knew victory would move them above their visitors in the table.

The home side were without the suspended Charles N’Zogbia after his petulant dismissal against Arsenal while Alan Pardew was without the services of top scorer Andy Carroll who damaged a thigh in the game against Tottenham.

Kevin Nolan returned for the visitors after serving a one match ban while Wigan welcomed new signing Adrián López into their squad.

The game started in blistering fashion and many supporters were still taking their seats when Shola Ameobi wasted a glorious opportunity to open the scoring after heading an inch perfect cross from Danny Simpson well wide.

Moments later it was the home side’s turn to threaten when Tom Cleverley had Steve Harper scrambling across his goal to palm his 25 yard effort just wide of the far post.

Any worries there may have been of a cautious game were soon forgotten as both sides pushed forward looking to break the deadlock which made for an entertaining start to the contest.

Cleverley again came close to scoring in the 15^th minute when he volleyed over after some good work by Momo Diame on the left flank for Wigan.

Soon after though the home side found themselves behind after Latics right back Steve Gohouri was dispossessed by Joey Barton who then burst into the area to strike a low shot past Ali Al Habsi. The ball cannoned off the post straight into the path of an unmarked Ameobi who stroked it past the keeper.

Wigan were stunned to conceed and Newcastle began to take control of the game, with the excellent Joey Barton and Cheik Tiote running riot in the centre of the park, Barton again going close on the half hour only for Ben Watson to clear for Wigan.

The creativity and speed of the suspended Charles N’Zogbia was sorely missed by the home team as Hugo Rodellega cut an isolated figure trying to lead the Wigan front line.

Rodellega and Gohouri were both guilty of wasting a great opportunity to level when they failed to capitalize on a loose ball which had been headed off the post by Gary Caldwell.

The home side began to apply more pressure before the break but almost conceded again when Jonas Gutierrez was sent clear only for Al Habsi to produce a great save.

Roberto Martinez looked a frustrated figure as his side’s lacklusture performance led to them going into the break a goal down and desperate for a way back into the contest.

The second half started better for the home side with the introduction of James McArthur adding some much needed spark in a midfield that had been second best for the first 45 minutes.

Tom Cleverley and Hugo Rodellega both started to see more of the ball as Latics surged forward in search of an equalizer, with Ronnie Stam also a threat marauding down the flanks.

As the half wore on Newcastle looked content to sit tight and protect their one goal lead, against the least-potent side in the league, with Pardew’s men looking to hit Wigan on the counter attack.

Wigan huffed and puffed but in truth failed to create any clear opportunites in the final third of the Newcastle half.  It was the visitors who almost doubled their lead when Steven Taylor headed a Barton free kick onto Latics’ crossbar in the 67^th minute.

Joey Barton incensed the home support in the closing minutes of the game after his strong challenge left McArthur in a crumpled heap on the ground. The crowd bayed for a red card but Howard Webb let Barton off with a caution.

The manner of Wigan’s defeat will give Roberto Martinez cause for concern as his team rarely looked like getting back on equal terms with the visitors and now face a tough battle for survival starting with the derby against Bolton on Wednesday night.

Newcastle on the other hand move up to tenth place and, more importantly give themselves a six point cushion from the relegation places.

Referee: Howard Webb

Attendance: 15,277

Teams:

Wigan:Al Habsi, Gohouri, Alcaraz, Caldwell (Capt), Thomas (McArthur 45), Watson, Gomez (Boselli 59), Cleverley, Rodallega, Diame, Stam (McManaman 83).
Subs: Pollitt, Boselli, S. Caldwell, McArthur, Lopez, Gigueroa, McManaman.

Newcastle: Harper, Coloccini, Enrique, Nolan (Capt) (Smith 85), Barton, Lovenkrands (Routledge 69), Simpson, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Best 76), Tiote, Taylor.
Subs: Krul, Williamson, Routledge, Perch, Smith, Best, Ranger.