Wigan Athletic

3.27

• 
  5

  1

  3.00

  Ali Al Habsi

  The Omani goalkeeper was kept busy throughout the game from constant Rovers attacks and he performed admirably to keep the score down.

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Emmerson Boyce

  Was given a tough time by Hoilett, the full-back struggled to keep up with the winger’s pace but was able to stop him delivering anything dangerous.

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Antolín Alcaraz

  The Paraguayan returned to the side in place of Gary Caldwell and had his hands full marking Roberts and Benjani.

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Steve Gohouri

  Back in his natural centre half position Gohouri looked much more comfortable compared to playing at full back. He worked well with Alcaraz and kept close tabs on Roberts and Benjani.

• 
  2

  1

  3.00

  Maynor Figueroa

  The full back had a good game against Emerton and kept him quiet with runs forward so that the Australian had to defend rather than attack.

• 
  2

  0

  3.50

  Victor Moses

  A real livewire and someone Rovers struggled to contain throughout the game. With the wet conditions making the pitch slick it aided Moses’ running game and Salgado will no doubt be sleeping well tonight after chasing the winger throughout the match. He was replaced by Cleverley in the 67th minute.

• 
  2

  1

  3.50

  Ben Watson

  Played a controlling role in the centre of midfield and was excellent at keeping his team moving forward. Always available for a pass and always looking for a colleague in space Watson gave an impressive performance. Showed good composure to score from the penalty spot after Diame had been brought down.

• 
  8

  1

  4.00

  James McCarthy Top of the Match

  The Scot worked well alongside Watson and Diame whilst also providing good support to the lone front man Rodallega. He showed excellent awareness and speed to get onto the loose ball after Boyce’s shot was parried by Robinson, and good skill to fire the ball home from a tight angle. His second goal was brilliant skill to set the ball up for himself and volley it left footed past Robinson. Replaced by McArthur in the 83rd minute.

• 
  3

  2

  3.00

  Mohamed Diame

  Playing more a defensive role than the other midfielders to give his defence some protection and he was excellent for the whole 90 minutes.

• 
  4

  1

  3.50

  Charles N'Zogbia

  After a deadline day bid from Newcastle was rejected N’Zogbia has been intent on showing the Wigan fans his commitment to the club and another influential performance today further proved that. He was full of energy throughout the match and was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet.

• 
  5

  0

  3.50

  Hugo Rodallega

  Had a tough job of playing upfront on his own but was given good support from all of his midfielders at one time or another. The Colombian led the line well and received excellent service from N’Zogbia and Moses on each wing. He showed good anticipation to get onto N’Zogbia’s knock down, take the ball around the goalkeeper and fire the ball into the open goal.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  0

  0.00

  James McArthur

  Replaced McCarthy with seven minutes to go

• 
  2

  1

  0.00

  Tom Cleverley

  Returned from injury and replaced Moses and helped tighten things up for the home side

• 
  1

  0

  0.00

  Franco Di Santo

  Came on as a late sub

Blackburn

3.12

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Paul Robinson

  Dealt with most things that Wigan threw at him but he couldn’t hold onto Boyce’s shot and he was punished as McCarthy fired in the loose ball. Was unlucky with the other three goals as the weather played a part in the second goal, he was unsighted for the third and the fourth was a penalty.

• 
  0

  1

  2.50

  Michel Salgado Flop of the Match

  Had a busy match marking N’Zogbia and Moses as they switched wings throughout the match. He particularly struggled against the lively Moses who looked to run past him at every given opportunity. Gave the penalty away with a silly trip on Diame that seemed to seal his side’s defeat.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Ryan Nelsen

  The central defender had a good game alongside Samba, together they dealt with Rodallega and the runners from midfield well.

• 
  0

  0

  3.00

  Christopher Samba

  The Rovers captain dominated Rodallega and dealt with any runners in his very uncomprismising way. He used his strength and size to limit the home side creating many chances.

• 
  1

  2

  3.00

  Martin Olsson

  The young left back had his hands full with N’Zogbia constantly running at him but he coped well and will be happy with his performance.

• 
  1

  1

  3.50

  Brett Emerton

  The Australian returned to the side following the Asia Cup in Qatar with Australia and he settled back into life at club level well. He showed excellent composure to pull his cross into Roberts for the opening goal and gave a tidy performance on the right side of midfield. Replaced by Dunn.

• 
  1

  1

  3.00

  Morten-Gamst Pedersen

  The winger had a solid game but may feel he could have contributed more. He delivered some dangerous crosses and free kicks that tested the Wigan defence but neither Benjani or Roberts were able to convert the chances.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Jermaine Jones

  The new signing continues to look at home in the Rovers midfield and today he was playing at the base of the diamond and he performed excellently. He very rarely left his duties and provided a good shield for his defenders from the Wigan midfielders. Replaced by Nzonzi in 79th minute.

• 
  3

  1

  3.50

  Junior Hoilett

  Playing at the top of a midfield diamond Hoilett was a constant threat to the Wigan defence with his pace and eagerness to run at defenders with the ball. Was unlucky to see a low shot blocked by a mass of bodies in the first half.

• 
  0

  1

  3.50

  Jason Roberts

  excellent movement for the goal, left his marker for dead as he raced to the front post to flick Emerton’s cross into the roof of the net.

• 
  0

  1

  3.00

  Benjani

  missed a free header just after Roberts’ goal which could have doubled his side’s lead but he mistimed his header and Wigan were able to clear. Linked well with Roberts and looked dangerous but lacked a real goal threat. Replaced by Diouf

Substitutions

• 
  4

  0

  3.50

  David Dunn

  Scored from the spot after being brought down by Boyce.

• 
  0

  2

  3.00

  Mame Biram Diouf

  Should have got his side back into the match but missed a great chance.