Manchester United 2 Wigan Athletic 0

David vs Goliath. That’s what these are billed as when little Wigan visits one of the so called ‘big four’. However it was one of Wigan’s best chances of getting something from United as there form so far had been a little hit and miss although they hadn’t been beaten.

Surprisingly it was Wigan who started the brighter and it looked like Wigan were the home side taking the game to the former champions.

N’Zogbia and Gomez linked up well within the first five minutes to flash a shot over the United bar and send a warning shot to their hosts.

Again within the first ten minutes Wigan pressurised again. Hugo Rodallega was next to test Edwin Van Der Sar’s goal but Rodallega was only able to find the Dutch stopper. Wigan was in control.

Gomez again tested Van Der Sar before fifteen minutes were up and United had very little opportunities in front of goal.

It took to around 20 minutes for United to get going. Nani was the first to test the Latics’ back line but the ever impressive Antolin Alcaraz was able to deal with the United winger’s threat. Wigan looked solid and promising in attack.

N’Zogbia then again tested United by firing a shot just over the crossbar from inside the area. This got the Latics travelling faithful in full voice and out singing 70,000+ United fans.

United’s first chance on goal came from a Nani free kick just outside the area. The likes of Ronaldo have always threatened Wigan with free kicks and Nani certainly fits in to that category. Fortunately Wigan have the ever reliable Ali Al Habsi in goal to make a comfortable save and keep the game at deadlock.

Both teams flirted with each other but it was United who took the advantage right on the stroke of half time. Ji Sung Park delivered a tantalising cross which was met my Evra at the far post who headed home to give the hosts an undeserved one nil half time lead.

The second half started rather sluggishly. Both teams seemed to still be in the dressing room when the game got its first major talking point. Antolin Alcaraz received his second yellow card and as a result sent Wigan down to ten men. Wigan managed to cope with United and still looked like getting a goal.

However, Hugo Rodallega was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Rafael and from the stands it did not look like a straight red as it appeared Hugo won the ball. This completely changed Wigan’s mentality and effectively ended the game as a contest.

It took United a further fifteen minutes to break the 9 men of Wigan down. Hernanadez met a cross from Rafael and headed home past Al Habsi to give the former champions a 2-0 lead with Wigan having not much chance of getting back into the game.

Victor Moses continued to impress as Wigan played with effectively two banks of four and played counter attacking football.

All together, Wigan’s performance was a great effort and if they play like that at West Ham next Saturday they should get the win they deserve.