Wigan Athletic 1 Liverpool 1

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Hugo Rodallega (52)

After a really dodgy opening fifteen minutes in which Fernando Torres was gifted a goal and Steven Gerard managed to miss an open goal, electing to guide his shot over the bar, Latics took a firm grip of this game and showed that they can play this system.

Jordi Gomez was given the first opportunity to have a go at goal and get that equaliser, but his free kick was sent into the wall. Soon after Hendry Thomas did the same with his free kick as Livrpool’s last ditch tackles were penalised by referee Peter Walton.

Ronnie Stam and Charles N’Zogbia were really bossing the midfield now and crosses were flying into the Liverpool box. Mohammed Diame got on the end of Ronnie Stam’s cross forcing a great block from Jamie Carragher.

With the team pulling together there was only Gomez that just couldn’t get into the swing of things, the tempo was high, the passing superb and everything but a goal was there on the pitch. Rodallega went close but again Carragher was there earning his money.

The half rounded off with a good save by Reina from a low N’Zogbia shot, nothing came of the inswinging corner from Gomez. All in all a great first half, though we somehow were 1-0 down.

The second half carried on where the first half left off, the pace and passing was making the Liverpool stars very uncomfortable, Torres was being marked out of the game and the defence dealt with everything the Reds tried.

Then the breakthrough came as a great run from Stam give him the opportunity to have a shot, because of the pace of the ball, Reina couldn’t keep hold and the thankful Rodallega was stood in the right spot to see the ball home from a couple of yards.

It was no more than we deserved and it spurred us on to get another, N’Zogbia was causing havoc by now and he nearly got us in front 5 minutes later, but Reina was at his best to save at his near post.
Carragher then took a yellow card as Rodallega was through on goal, Gomez hit the top of the wall and Reina collected the ball. The midfield was still doing a great job at keeping the Reds at bay, but the longer the game went on we just wondered if there was to be a sting in the tail for us.

Gerard and Torres were trying to get things moving for the visitors, but a couple of unpopular substitutions and Konchesky proving what we all already knew (that he is cack), had the Pool supporters booing their manager and team.

The stinger nearly did happen as a one two with Torres sent Gerard one on one with Al Habsi and if the England midfielder had showed a little more composure he would have snatched it for them. Instead he tried to be a little bit clever and whacked his shot against the crossbar with the keeper helpless.

Cleverly had a great game and provided Hugo with a superb opportunity to get Latics all three points but the striker’s shot was far too tame and Reina gathered easily. N’Zogbia had the final effort of the night after jinking past three or four defenders before firing high over the bar.

A really great show from Latics didn’t get all it deserved, but moreover it was the performance of the season, of the two seasons, that was most encouraging. We just need to carry this into the game on Saturday against West Brom and hopefully a much needed win and three points.