Wigan Athletic 1 Liverpool 0

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Hugo Rodallega (35)

After chatting with Roberto last week I went home thinking about what he said, that we were just one god performance and a win away from clicking, and when we do it we’ll kick on and show what a great side this really is.

Well we certainly got the great performance and the much needed win against a Liverpool side that was prevented from playing straight from the first whistle, Chris Kirkland didn’t have one save to make the entire game, I am sure that this must be some sort of record.

The 1-0 scoreline flattered the Reds, having turned up to expect us to roll over and take our beating they got one hell of a reality check as Latics dominated proceedings for very long periods of the game. Martinez’s tactics were excellent, allowing Liverpool possession in areas where they couldn’t hurt us, but rallying when a threat started.

Hugo Rodallega scored 10 minutes before half time after several attacks had not culminated in a goal. We could have opened up the scoring in the 15 minutes as both N’Zogbia and Moreno had efforts blocked and saved. McCarthy was playing out of his skin and carved out several great passes which saw Carragher and Kyrgiakos scrambling to tackle and block.

Torres did give us an early scare as he found space on the right only for us see his effort crash into the side netting. In the most part though our defence was on top form and rarely had to break into a sweat as the midfield stood firm. Diame and Scharner contained Gerard and Kuyt to the point where we wondered if Kuyt was actually playing.

The Liverpool player’s frustrations showed in that they resorted to fouling but for once we had a referee that was standing for none of it as he calmly placed 5 Pool players in the book. The deadlock was broken as Kuyt laid off a stray pass that Boyce picked up, the right back then pin pointed his cross onto Hugo’s boot and the Columbian slotted past the impressive Reina.

It was no more than we deserved and it sent the DW Stadium mental. There was an idiot who was waving a ‘Martinez out’ banner before the game, oh boy how he must have felt after this game. Comments coming into the site say that he talks like he doesn’t know anything about football and was lucky not to get more abuse than he did.

The expected onslaught after the goal didn’t come and although Torres had two more opportunities he managed to scuff one wide of the post when he should have done better and a header went aimlessly over the bar from another chance.

To a man Latics were excellent in this game, everything just clicked together on and off the pitch, the crowd were that good that you struggled hear anything coming out of the away end, they were very quiet. The second half was controlled by Latics and though there were very few chances it was still very entertaining seeing us frustrate the Reds.

The win brought 3 points nearer to safety and importantly 4 points away from that danger area. We just need to build on this by getting a result at the Reebok on Saturday to carry into ou game in hand against Villa on Tuesday.

Report by Jayt