Wigan 1-0 Sunderland: Positive Response From Hugo Rodallega Downs Sunderland

Roberto Martinez certainly had his players fired up for this fixture and the opening exchanges were characterized by the Latics showing good intensity from the off, with tough tackling from Hendry Thomas and Maohamed Diame quick to snuff out any early attacking intentions from Sunderland, the ball being fed with urgency to the Wigan midfield.

The first chance of note arrived courtesy of a mistake from Black Cat defender Phil Bardsley. The right-back lost the ball near the box, allowing Paul Scharner a free shot on goal which the Austrian only managed to strike poorly, which allowed Martin Fullop to make a routine save. 

Against the run of play Sunderland had their first chance to score when the in-form Darren Bent reminded the Latics defence of the danger he poses. Taking the ball around Emmerson Boyce, Bent bears down on goal but before he can take a shot Boyce makes a great recovery with a last ditch sliding tackle.

The next 15 minutes saw the high level of intensity from both sides maintained. However, it appeared the visistors where coming off the worst of the two sides as the Sunderland defence began to look shaky.

Another mistake, this time by Paulo  da Silva in his own box, allowed Charles N'Zogbia to snatch the ball from under his feet and send a killer pass accross the area. Jason Scotland would have been odds-on to bury the chance but his side-footed effort panged off the post and the Black Cats were let off.

Wigan were on top now and were having all the possession, and the Greater Manchester side had another chance to break the deadlock when a Hugo Rodallega free-kick was sent dangerously into the box and was deflected by Michael Turner. Luckily for the Black Cats glovesman Fulop made a brilliant save to spare his team-mates' blushes.

The pace of the game winded down as the half drew to a close. Steve Bruce's side were somewhat fortunate to go into the break on level terms. Martinez would be pleased his side didn't show the porousness in defence that led to their humiliation last week although rueing the lack of a goal.

The second half and perhaps with Bruce's half-time team-talk still wringing in the players ears, Sunderland showed more ambition and positive intent. First, Andy Reid unleashed a violent drive which was batted away by Kirkland, then a follow-up strike is lashed goalwards by Bardsley only to be deflected for a corner which was defended well by the Latics.

Wigan were presented with a different beast of an opponent this half, as Sunderland had dangerous momentum the first 15 minutes and were looking infinitely more dangerous than before the interval. Reid is again involved when he manages to find space on the flank and sends a looping cross towards the far post which the on-rushing Bent fails to connect with.

Wigan were showing themselves to be no push-overs this time though and the Latics seemed to weather the storm and play themselves back into the game. Rodallega, who was now switched into a more central attacking role and beginning to present a dangerous threat, had two shots within close succession of each other. The first was a angled drive which was saved by Fulop. The second was a powerful blast which screamed towards the top corner, wide of goal.

This was to serve as a warning and after Sunderland failed to clear their lines at the back, the lanky Columbian Rodallega first struggled past a clumsy Da Silva and then rolled the ball past Kirkland from a great angle to finally break the deadlock and send the crowd into raptures.

Sunderland seemed to panick after conceding and Wigan now had the momentum, Rodallega looking very dangerous as he was now affored a lot of space. He could have finished the contest when allowed space in the box but could only shoot straight at a relieved Fulop as the game approached the end.

Four minutes of added time were held up by the fourth official but this was not enough for Sunderland as Wigan responded well to a record breaking defeat last fixture to secure the three points. Martinez will be delighted by his sides response in a scrappy game. Bruce meanwhile will be unhappy at how poorly the Black Cats applied themsleves for most of the match.

Michael Landon, Goal.com UK