Tottenham Hotspur 0 Wigan Athletic 1

It was Wigan who got off to the brighter start. The Latics team disrupted by off the field speculation did not take long to get into their stride and take the game to the North Londoners.

Within the first two minutes Hugo Rodallega flashed an effort wide of Cudicini’s goal. After previous weeks this was a very promising start by the Latics.

Seven minutes in came Wigan’s first real chance. A floated corner found Alcaraz who in turn headed to Gohouri who struck the cross bar with a thunderous volley from all of twelve yards out. This really stated Wigan’s intent and that Wigan could really compete once again at this level.

Pundits up and down the country had written Wigan off before the game with many predicating that the result would be similar to that of last season. Little did they realise that Wigan were full of fight, pride and passion.

Wigan took the first half to the hosts, creating chance after chance. Hugo Rodallega was unlucky not to get on the score sheet in the first half but was causing a lot of trouble for the Tottenham back line.

Gareth Bale was proving why he is getting so much praise as he kept attacking Wigan down the left. His crosses which were met by Defoe and Crouch were dealt with by the impressive Ali Al Habsi in the Wigan goal.

Al Habsi proved to be a key player in Wigan’s victory, pulling off fantastic saves and keeping the Wigan defence in order for the full 90 minutes.

Ronnie Stam, who played on the right hand side of midfield, provided much needed attacking support for the Latics but at the same time ensured that Boyce was not left exposed by Bale and Lennon.

As the second half progressed both teams exchanged shots but it was once again Wigan who were looking the stronger. Defoe missed a glorious opportunity to give the hosts the lead. It was harder to miss than score but somehow Defoe managed to miss the target.

Jordi Gomez entered the arena and provided some excellent passes to cause Spurs even more problems. Gomez was instrumental in creating one of Wigan’s clearest opportunities in which Anotlin Alcaraz blazed over from a yard out.

Then came the momentous occasion, Hendry Thomas played a searching ball for Hugo Rodallega who in turn took it upon himself to fire a low shot across Cudicini’s goal in to the far left corner to give the Latics the lead. This was just what Wigan deserved and was a mere consolation for their efforts over the past 80 minutes.

Tom Huddlestone had a chance late on to bring Tottenham level but he spurned the opportunity.

The win saw Wigan grow as a team and put the events of the last two weeks behind them. Also this was Wigan’s first win in the capital since West Ham in 2006.

Report by Simon Gregory