Summary
Caleb Folan, who helped knock City out of the Carling Cup with a goal for Chesterfield last September, came back to haunt the Blues when his close range header put Wigan ahead. City had started slowly and despite a marked improvement they could not convert any of a number of half-chances and they slipped to a defeat that left them just one place above the bottom three.
There was one change from the side that started at Deepdale, with DaMarcus Beasley in for Ousmane Dabo. Recent arrival Emile Mpenza was on the bench.
For Wigan, Caleb Folan got the chance to shine against City once more after scoring for Chesterfield when they put the Blues out of the Carling Cup in September. There was a familiar face on the bench, with former City stopper Carlo Nash in reserve for John Filan.
The Match
The game’s first shot in anger came on four minutes, Michael Ball blocking an effort from Valencia, who had rushed into the edge of City’s area.
The visitors should have taken the lead six minutes later. Folan broke down the right and pulled the ball back into the area, where Lee McCulloch looked odds-on to score, but he forced his shot downwards and the ball bounced high over Weaver’s bar.
Michael Ball, making his home debut, made a long run into the Wigan half on 17 minutes and his cross was only just short of finding a striker when John Filan cut it out.
But a minute later the visitors were ahead. A free kick form the left saw Heskey & Dunne challenge for the ball, which looped to an unmarked Caleb Folan, and from within the six yard box the former Chesterfield striker headed it over Weaver and into the net.
McCulloch went close on 28, Weaver pushing his long range volley around his right hand post.
Sun Jihai replaced Hatem Trabelsi on 33 minutes.
The Blues’ first real chance came a minute later when Richards was just short of connecting with a corner from close range, and the defender was shocked when Howard Webb waved for a goal kick after the ball had gone dead off a Wigan defender.
City did win a corner shortly afterwards, and Emmerson Boyce had to clear from just in front of the line after Micah Richards had charged in and headed the ball down towards the goal.
Half time City 0-1 Wigan
Belgian international striker Emile Mpenza was brought on for Georgios Samaras at the break.
And the newcomer was inches away from scoring after just four minutes, when Matt Jackson just managed to deflect away Beasley’s cross as Mpenza moved into the six yard box.
City were having more of the play but were unable to make their possession count. Joey Barton had the best looking chance on 64, but his shot lacked power and Filan had no problem saving.
Mpenza bravely went for a diving header a minute later, colliding with Filan as the two went for the ball, and the Belgian’s efforts roused the home support.
As time began to tick away, Corradi looked to be only inches away from a cross inside the area, but somehow the ball was just the wrong side of him. Seconds later, Beasley did well to get into a position to cross from the left, but his effort was badly overhit.
Sun Jihai has played well since his first half introduction, and with six minutes left his floated ball over from the right was only just too strong for Mpenza to make a decent header.
Daniel Sturridge was brought on with four minutes left for Michael Ball as City went all out to get an equalizer.
But Wigan were able to gain more possession than they had for most of the half and pinned the Blues back as the game moved into the four minutes of injury time that were flashed up on the board.
City had a free kick deep into stoppage time, but Dunne’s effort was with his hand and he was booked..
Chaos reigned in the last minute as Wigan had several chances to score from a break, but Denny Landzaat skied the final opportunity of the game high over the bar. That was the last action of the match, and City were left deep in trouble as Wigan went above them in the league.
