Latics Fall to Cruel Goal

Wigan Athletic lost to a 38th minute David Silva goal at Manchester City yesterday, despite dominating the game for long periods, especially in the second half, the Latics were once again hindered by an inability to put the ball into the back of the opposition net.

From the kick-off the game had an open feel about it with both sides looking to create chances, Latics winning their first corner inside the first minute, then moments later City breaking and Balotelli testing Al-Habsi from range.

Latics had a glorious chance to take the lead when the ball fell to McCarthy 8 yards out, the midfield man had to hit the shot first time with his left foot and it skewed wide of the far post with City keeper Joe Hart rooted to his spot.

City went in front on 38 minutes when David Silva`s weaving run took him into the Latics box, Adrian Lopez slipped allowing Silva an opportunity to shoot, his effort was tamely struck but unfortunately Al-Habsi miss-handled and the ball squirmed through the Latics keepers legs and into the net in the cruellest of fashions.

Latics responded well and dominated the play from here on in; Alcaraz hit the post with a great volley from a Ben Watson corner with Hart well beaten and McCarthy had Joe Hart at full stretch tipping his thunderous 20 yard shot round the post.

Conor Sammon was thrown on for the last ten minutes and the Latics debutant almost sealed his first appearance with a stoppage time goal, the big Irishman man played a great 1-2 with Rodallega and burst into the City box, he hit his shot low and hard across Hart, but unfortunately the ball just went the wrong side of the far post.

A good display from the Latics, as usual, just missing the goals, again as usual, but if we can finish the season with the level of performances from recent games then surely enough survival points will be picked up, just need to convert some chances into goals.

Sammons effort goes wide

By permission of Bernard Platt/Wigan Athletic
Teams
Man City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, Vieira, Y. Toure, Barry, Silva (De Jong, 82), Tevez (Dzeko, 85), Balotelli (Kolarov, 67)

Subs:Taylor, Kolarov, Dzeko, Boateng, Jo, De Jong, Boyata


Latics: Al Habsi; Lopez (Gohouri, 67), Alcaraz, G.Caldwell, Figueroa, Diame (Sammon, 83), Watson, Moses (N’Zogbia, 59), McCarthy, Cleverley, Rodallega

Subs:Pollitt, Gohouri, Gomez, Thomas, N’Zogbia, Di Santo, Sammon