  
- 帖子
- 1414
- 精華
- 0
- 威望
- 467
- 魅力
- 5
- 讚好
- 0
|
74#
發表於 2005-8-28 12:27 AM
| 顯示全部帖子
Wigan Athletic vs Sunderland
A Jason Roberts penalty in the first minute helped Latics secure their first win in the Premiership.
This match was seen as a chance for either Latics or Sunderland to get their first points of the season, and was also seen by some quarters as a relegation six-pointer despite the fact it is still August.
Striker Lee McCulloch was passed fit to enable Paul Jewell to have two strikers up front in attack, but new signing Josip Skoko was not named in the squad.
The match couldn't have started any better for Latics, when a penalty was awarded by referee Steve Bennett within fifteen seconds when Jason Roberts was tripped by Gary Breen. The Grenedan international coolly slotted the ball past 'keeper Kelvin Davis into the bottom corner of the net to give Latics their first goal of the Premiership season.
But Sunderland piled the pressure on immediately and they saw an inswinging Dean Whitehead corner cleared away by Arjan De Zeeuw to defuse any danger of a Sunderland equaliser.
In the 21st minute, Jimmy Bullard tested Kelvin Davis with a long range shot from thirty yards, before the Black Cats went on the counter attack and Mike Pollitt was called into action to divert a Jon Stead shot out for a corner.
Ten minutes later, and Latics went close to doubling their lead. Leighton Baines' cross from the left flank was perfect for Frenchman Pascal Chimbonda, and the former Bastia player nodded the ball just over the bar from six yards.
Sunderland almost got back on level terms with only five minutes before the interval when Dean Whitehead's low drive from just outside the box gave Latics fans a fright, but Pollitt was equal to it and made the save.
Half-Time: Latics 1 - 0 Sunderland
It didn't take long after the restart for Latics to show their intent on getting all three points to kick-start our season in the top flight. Ryan Taylor's cross in the 48th minute was met by Jimmy Bullard, who headed the ball towards the far post, but it was cleared by Black Cat's skipper Gary Breen.
In the 60th minute, former Cardiff midfielder Graham Kavanagh tried to catch Kelvin Davis by surprise with a long range dipping volley, but the former Ipswich shot stopper easily got hold of the ball.
Moments later, Jon Stead had a glorious opportunity to equalise for Mick McCarthy's men as he ran into free space inside the penalty area, but Latics 'keeper Mike Pollitt did well to come out and grab the ball away from the strikers feet.
Damien Francis battled to win the ball in midfield, and the former Norwich man sent a ball through to Jason Roberts, but the striker sent the ball high over the crossbar from twenty yards.
With just under twenty minutes to go, Jason Roberts had a decent chance that could have doubled the lead. The Grenedan held the ball up well inside a packed penalty area and timed his shot well which saw the ball go through Sunderland's defence, but Kelvin Davis had a good view and managed to easily save the effort.
Just minutes later, Sunderland were desperate to salvage a point for themselves too. But Dean Whitehead's corner was well cleared by Pascal Chimbonda at the far post.
Alan Mahon almost confirmed the result in spectacular fashion as his deflected long range shot from thirty yards, only to see the ball bounce off the inside of the post!
But after a tense three minutes of stoppage time, referee Steve Bennett blew his whistle to give Latics their first ever Premiership win.
Full-Time: Latics 1 - 0 Sunderland
Latics Starting Line-Up: Pollitt, Chimbonda, De Zeeuw (c), Henchoz (Jackson 86), Baines, Taylor, Bullard, Francis, McCulloch, Roberts, Kavanagh (Mahon 70).
Unused Substitutes: Walsh, McMillan, Johansson.
Latics Goalscorers: Roberts (1 pen).
Sunderland Starting Line-Up: Davis, Nosworthy, Stubbs, Breen, Arca, Whitehead, Miller, Welsh (Woods 62), Elliot, Stead (Gray 62), Le Tallec.
Unused Substitutes: Alnwick, Caldwell, Robinson.
Sunderland Goalscorers: N/A.
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent) |
|