The Latics suffered their fifth defeat of the season, as they were unable to pull off a late comeback against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
Spanish duo Pablo Hernandez and Miguel Michu struck the decisive blows within a crushing two minute spell. Despite a wonder goal from Emmerson Boyce, the Latics returned to the North West empty handed.
The Latics named an unchanged team from their clash with Everton two weeks ago and should have taken the lead in a tense opening half, when Shaun Maloney’s effort was kept out by Michel Vorm. The opening goal of the game came when Pablo Hernandez, Swansea’s club-record signing, broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with a low shot past Ali Al-Habsi from 18 yards. Michu added the crucial second for the Welsh club, with a close-range header from Jonathan de Guzman’s corner for his seventh goal of the season.
The Latics refused to lie down and were back in the game after Emmerson Boyce’s exquisite 69th-minute back-flick, but were made to rue a contentious decision to rule out a header from Arouna Kone. It was a decision that cost the Latics dear as they were unable to find that decisive blow late on, with even keeper Al Habsi going close with a header in the dying moments.
Former Swansea boss Martinez, who was unsuccessful in his appeal against a disciplinary charge from the FA this week, was unhappy with yet another decision going against his side on the road: ‘It was a call which didn’t go our way. It was really costly. I felt it would have been an interesting final 10 minutes because we could have won the game.
‘Sometimes you want to be honest with the referee’s decision, but I have learned my lesson. I cannot really comment.
‘I need to accept it and give an official answer. Sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don’t. But I thought we deserved a point.’
Up next for the Latics is a crucial home clash against West Ham, which will spark many a memory of a memorable afternoon the last time the Hammers visited the DW.
With the winter nights almost upon us, Martinez will use this week to pick his side up following this latest set back. He will be keen to bring this winless run to an end and give his side some breathing space above the teams currently occupying the bottom three as the league begins to take shape.
Niall Joseph Owens
Read more from Niall on laticsinanutshell.blogspot.co.uk
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