Wigan Athletic 2 Stoke City 2

WIGAN ATHLETIC
Collins (og) 30
Cleverley 40

Wigan Athletic remain in the drop zone following this draw which saw the visitors twice pegged back in an action packed first half.

Roberto Martinez found himself with somewhat of a selection headache.

Hugo Rodallega again sat out the game as he completed his three match suspension following his dismissal at Old Trafford.

The Wigan manager also had to do without the services of James McCarthy, Gary Caldwell, Victor Moses and Franco Di Santo through injury.

Before this game Stoke had only managed to score a first half goal in the Premier League this season on two occasions but found themselves with their noses in front in the 18th minute at the DW Stadium.

Hendry Thomas’ foul on Ricardo Fuller earned Stoke a free kick 35 yards from goal which Robert Huth stepped up to take.

Al Habsi appeared to have the German defender’s low shot covered but the slightest of deflections off Mohamed Diame wrong-footed him and the Wigan keeper looked on helpless as the ball crossed the line.

Both sides battled hard in what was turning into a bit of a physical game with action at both ends of the park and Wigan’s reply arrived on the half hour mark, also coming as the result of a deflected free kick after Huth had brought down Cleverley on the left edge of the penalty area.

Ben Watson was given the responsibilty of taking the kick and managed to beat the wall with a low drive but in his attempt to clear at the near post Danny Collins could only direct the ball into the back of his own net.

Moments later Boselli tested Begovic in the Stoke goal but the visitors ventured straight upfield and retook the lead.

Kenwyn Jones bolted down the right wing before sending the ball to Ricardo Fuller on the byeline who stepped inside, turned Steve Caldwell and set up an unmarked Matthew Etherington to score for the third game in succession.

Wigan pressed for another equaliser and should have had it in the 38th minute with Hendry Thomas probably still wondering how the hell he missed this opportunity to score his first ever goal in a Wigan shirt.

N’Zogbia played in Figueroa down the left and the Honduran whipped in a shot at the near post which Bergovic did well to keep out.

N’Zogbia picked up the loose ball and sent it back into the box only for Thomas to fire wide from a mere six yards out.

Bergovic then became the first name in Mike Jones’ book when he was cautioned for time wasting with the resultant goal kick.

Thomas’ howler was quickly forgetton after Tom Cleverley turned Huth before unleashing a shot which took a deflection off Rory Delap and into the back of the net to add to the one he grabbed last time out in the Premier League at West Ham.

Wigan went close to grabbing the lead soon after the restart with Boselli forcing Begovic into pulling off a fine double save at his near post to deny him his first Premier League goal.

Stoke’s response came in the form of Rory Delap with the throw in specialist using his skills to pile the pressure on the Wigan goal.

Dean Whitehead fired well over after Jones had flicked on one of Delap’s throws and then Jones repeated the move but this time his flick on was sent wide by Jonathan Walters.

Al Habsi then had to be at his best to deny Jones with a superb one handed save after the former Sunderland hitman had been found in front of goal by a Walters cross into the box.

N’Zogbia almost set up Ronnie Stam in the 76th minute after great work down the left but the Wigan substitute couldn’t quite get the right purchase on the ball and could only send it wide of the upright.

Wigan were then denied what could have proved to be the winner when N’Zogbia did what he does best and ran at the Stoke defence causing them no end of problems. However, despite his best efforts, his shot was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Begovic.

The point failed to lift Wigan out of the drop zone but is likely to have lifted spirits in the camp ahead of a tricky trip down the East Lancs Road to take on Everton with Hugo Rodallega available for selection after he completed his three match suspension.