Honours even at the DW

When Roberto Martinez files his analysis on todays’s game away it will be in the drawer marked,’ how on earth did we fail to win that one’, such was Latics’ dominance of this afternoon’s proceedings.

Martinez opted to make one change from last weeks abject defeat, restoring the fit again Edman to left back allowing N’Zogbia to revert to a wing position, Sinclair dropping to the bench.

The game started as a strangley subdued affair with N’ZOgbia who was miles away the best player on the pitch looking dangerous every time he touched the ball and Scharzer had to be alert to keep him out.

Fulham looked tired after their European jaunt and with Diame clearing up everything in midfield it looked like Wigan were going to dominate proceedings.

Concern has been raised in recent weeks about defensive lapses and once again Wigan were almost caught napping again when a poor pass from Melchiot was chipped back into the centre and Neveland had an easy header into the goal over the stranded Kirkland. To the amazement of everyone in the ground and the relief of Kirkland and the Wigan back four, the ball hit the crossbar and was scrambled clear by the Wigan defense.

Latics were in total control and should have doubled the lead with N’Zogbia being defied by Schwarzer and there followed chances from Rodallega and Scharner but again Schwarzer was up to the task.

At the other end, the goal when it came was a surprise, as Latics didn’t seem to be in trouble, a scramble in the area saw Dempsey drop to the ground, Mr Dowd adjudging that he had been fouled by Bramble.

Dempsey took the penalty and made no mistake in drilling the ball past Kirkland and Fulham were back on level terms which their play had barely deserved.

The rest of the first half and the majority of the second was much of the same, with Wigan dominating and Schwarzer pulling off save after save,the best from a Rodallega shot which the keeper spilled but the industrious Scotland could get to the loose ball and Fulham cleared.

Martinez opted with ten minutes to go to replace the tiring Edman with Sinclair, moving N’Zogbia back to left back. The Frenchman seemed visibly upset by this decision and appeared to be comforted by Scharner.

With this move Latics drive forward appeared to be slowed, although one good run from Sinclair had the Fulham defence scrambling.

The full time whistle brought to a conclusion a spirited performance by Wigan although the amount of chances wasted will be a cause for a concern.However the postiivers in the team performance after last week’s will be a large positive taken from the game.



This sparked Wigan into life and a few minutes alter Wigan were ahead, a pin point cross from the returning Edman found the head of Scharner, he knocked it down to Boyce who fired home and Wigan were ahead.