Birmingham City 0 Wigan Athletic 0

Wigan started the brighter of the two teams which on paper looked evenly matched. Charles N’Zogbia was the subject of a barrage of abuse from the home fans but N’Zogbia seemed to take it on the chin and take the game to Birmingham.

A scrappy first fifteen minutes saw both sides concede a number of free kicks which in turn slowed the game almost to a stand still. It seemed as if one team was making progress a needless foul was given away in which the resulting free kick was cleared without hesitation.

In the opening exchanges both teams flirted in front of goal. Ronnie Stam, James McCarthy and Hugo Rodallega fired shots goal ward but nothing was coming of the early Latics pressure.

Ali Al Habsi looked solid once again in the Wigan goal commanding his area when crosses and corners came in and had very little to do. The Wigan back line looks a lot more resolute now and the confidence really shows as the back line can pass the ball around with ease.

Birmingham ended the half the stronger. Sebastian Larson, who had been a threat all game swung a free kick in to the area and Roger Johnson was unlucky to miss the target from inside the area, which would of given the hosts a half time lead.

The half ended on a bizarre note. A free kick, once again from Larson, was swung into the area and as it fell was saved and sat on by Al Habsi. Wigan were defiantly doing whatever they could to preserve a hard fort nil nil score line.

Wigan began the second half full of intent. N’Zogbia and Stam continued to prove a thorn in Birmingham’s side but alas nothing was paying off infront of goal.

Martinez brought Di Santo on for Stam which saw Wigan up the tempo and take the game to Birmingham. Wigan had endless counter attacks which Birmingham couldn’t deal with. The pace of Di Santo, McCarthy and Rodallega was proving too much for the Birmingham defence and it was looking as if Wigan were going to make the break through.

The game looked destined for a draw as the teams entered the final ten minutes but then came a turning point. Craig Gardener saw red for a reckless challenge on Franco Di Santo which saw the ace leave the field to be replaced by Victor Moses. Gardener had gone in over the top of the ball and had won nothing but poor Di Santo’s leg.

Wigan continued to press but lacked that killer touch in front of goal. However it was promising that since Hartlepool, Wigan have only conceded 3 goals, two of which came against the might of Manchester City so things are definitely looking up for Wigan. All that Wigan now need to do is find the back of the net.

Match Report by Simon Gregory