Wigan Athletic 4 Blackburn Rovers 3

WIGAN ATHLETIC
McCarthy 35,56
Rodallega 50
Watson 65 (pen)

In what could have been a season ending day for Latics, they stepped up to the plate and showed that they have what it takes to be a Premier League Football Club.

On a day that registered the most goals ever scored on a Premier League day, Wigan and Blackburn contributed 7 of the 41 goals scored.

The scoreline could have been a lot more convincing for Latics, but the three points are what counts and although results went a bit strange elsewhere, it was enough to get us away from the relegation zone for a while.

With performances like the ones over the last few games, we can take on the next few games with confidence at a high.

The pitch also deserves a mention as it held very well after an extremely large amount of rain fell over a short period of time.

Mohammed Diame got the first piece of an action packed game by jinking himself into a shooting position only to see his effort go marginally over the bar. Charles N’Zogbia next won and took a free kick just outside of the area and forces the Robinson to a good save

The visitors then came into the game a bit and in a ten minute spell threatened lots without getting actual shots on target That all changed though as Figueroa went awol leaving Bret Emerson on the right loads of time to pick his cross.

Jason Roberts, an old Latics hero, scored for the second time this season against us adding to the goal he scored at Ewood Park. It was all too easy for the veteran striker and he again showed Latics the respect of not over celebrating his strike.

When was the last time we came from behind to win, well a goal usually is enough to undo us, but this time it was the trigger to spur us on. Rodallega had a shot blocked by Neilsen’s arm, but the ref decided that it shouldn’t be a penalty.

Watson came more into the game and hi cross was dealt with by Bret Emerson, with Hugo lying in wait on the six yard line. From the resulting throw in Latics got the break they deserved as Boyce takes the throwing to send Moses off on a run into the right side of the box.

The youngster pulled the ball back to Boyce whose shot was parried by Robinson straight into the path of James McCarthy who made no mistake of belting the ball in for 1-1 from a really tight angle. Diame could have sent us into the break in the lead, but he mistimed his run and was flagged for off side.

Latics stated the second half as they finished the first and it wasn’t long before Hugo Rodallega did get his goal and it was from an unusual route, of the one variety. Al Habsi sent a kick downfield, Moses flicked it n with his head and the Colombian did the rest by rounding Samba and Robinson to slot home.

Things got even better as McCarthy doubled hid tally for the game and sent Latics 3-1 up with a cracker. N’Zogbia sent in a pile driver that was well save by Robinson, the rebound came straight back to Charles who passed to McCarthy.

The young Scot flicked the ball up with his right foot before volleying home from 12 yards sending the DW Stadium nuts. Unfortunately as the crowd was still cheering, Latics switched off and left Christopher Samba for an easy header for 3-2.

Straight away though, we got our own back as the Blackburn fans were still celebrating their goal. Diame was fed through on goal but was clattered down by Salgado, the referee this time had no option but to give the penalty and Ben Watson stepped up to blast the kick in for 4-2.

The last 20 minutes was a right onslaught, as Latics pressed to get a fifth and to go out of sight, Rodallega had a shot well saved by Robinson whilst N’Zogbia had his run into the box halted by a last ditch Samba tackle.

The rout was halted as we stupidly and clumsily breathed on Dunn, at first it looked outside the box but the ref gave the penalty, which Dunn then scored. It didn’t affect the result as we carried on with Cleverley, McArthur and di Santo all having chances.

But the damage was already done and but better prowess in front of goal and two soft goals and a dubious penalty, it could have been a lot better scoreline.

It sets up us nicely to go to Anfield where we have to have the belief that we can get something…