Source: SKY_Sports
Wigan v Man Utd live!
That's it and United have won thanks in no small part to Tevez, who is becoming something of a lucky charm. The result was hard on Wigan, who ran their socks off from start to finish but ultimately two bits of quality from Tevez and Carrick mean United are just a point away from another title.[LNB]90+4 Corner whipped in and Ronaldo meets it with a tremendous header in the last act of the game.[LNB]90+4 The ball is hoisted into the United area - eventually - and breaks to Scharner, who forces a corner off Vidic.[LNB]90+3 Free-kick Wigan around 40 yards out as Valencia is fouled by Giggs. Surely not a late twist in the tale?[LNB]90+2 Rodallega tries to get in the United box down the left but just tries to do too much and O'Shea clears.[LNB]90+1 United seemingly happy to knock the ball around. Have Wigan got it in them to force an equaliser?[LNB]90 We'll have three minutes of added time.[LNB]89 Could easily be 3-1, but Ronaldo squanders a decent chance. Good stuff from Giggs to work it through to the Portuguese. He took a touch but blasted over.[LNB]88 Here's Park now - and it's Berbatov making way. Not been the Bulgarian's best game in truth, but United fans won't care.[LNB]88 United lining up Park as a substitute.[LNB]87 The more you see that goal, the more you realise just how good that finish was, particularly with his wrong foot. He caressed it home.[LNB]86 GOAL - CARRICK. Surely that's it. Heartbreak for Wigan but it's a wonderful goal. Rodallega is caught ball-watching as O'Shea bursts into the Wigan box down the right and Carrick produces a finish right out of the top drawer with his left foot.[LNB]85 Wigan clear the danger, with Mido hoofing downfield. All set up for a grandstand finish.[LNB]84 United get a corner fortunately as a ball spins off Berbatov's knee and goes behind. Could be crucial.[LNB]83 Ronaldo knocks the ball into the box to Tevez, who somehow manages to get an effort in on the floor. Great defending from Boyce, though, and Kingson gathers as it loops up.[LNB]83 Rodallega has moved to the left, with Mido through the middle.[LNB]82 Wigan bring Mido on for N'Zogbia.[LNB]81 Tevez holds the ball up superbly on the edge of the box and sets it nicely for Ronaldo but his right-footed shot is always curling well off target.[LNB]80 Rooney cuts in off the left flank and shoots but it's straight at Kingson. Tried to bend it beyond the 'keeper but didn't start it out wide enough.[LNB]79 Scharner back on. Not moving freely, but certainly not a passenger.[LNB]78 Scharner back to his feet and off the field momentarily.[LNB]77 Ronaldo smacks in a shot from just outside the Wigan box. It's deflected into Kingson's path by Melchiot's arm but there's no way he could get out of the way of that one. Scharner down and in need of some treatment.[LNB]76 Ronaldo smashes yet another free-kick into the wall. The ball bounces to Carrick but his snapshot is high and wide.[LNB]75 Before the free-kick is taken, Giggs replaces fellow old-timer Scholes in the United midfield. Giggs, of course, has happy memories of his last trip to the JJB having scored here last season as United sealed the title.[LNB]75 Ronaldo draws a foul from Brown centrally. A rueful shake of the head from the Portuguese but he'll have a decent shooting opportunity here.[LNB]74 Just seen a replay of the 'penalty' - I've seen them given but likewise it's easy to see why Styles didn't point to the spot. There was contact from Figueroa that knocked Ronaldo off his balance but, for me, it wasn't a blatant foul.[LNB]73 The ball is whipped in towards O'Shea at the front post but his header is wide. He appeals for a corner, but there's nothing doing from the officials.[LNB]73 Ronaldo breaks into the Wigan box down the right but then goes down under pressure from Figueroa. He tried to stand up and latch onto the ball before losing his balance but there looked to be a little nudge. Corner, though.[LNB]72 Vidic tries to spring Tevez through the offside trap again, but the ball is overhit and Kingson can gather unchallenged.[LNB]71 Tremendous covering from Carrick as N'Zogbia tries to latch onto Scharner's ball out towards the left. Great tackle.[LNB]70 Melchiot does well to head clear a Ronaldo cross. Had he missed that, Tevez was in again.[LNB]69 United dominating possession after the break just as they did in the first half. Wigan still working so hard, though, particularly in midfield. They certainly haven't rolled over.[LNB]68 Tevez springs forward onto a looped ball from Evra but the flag's up for offside. Replay suggests the linesman got that wrong.[LNB]67 The corner is whipped in to the back post and Bramble climbs to reach it, but he can't get it back across goal and United get the goal-kick.[LNB]66 Melchiot bursts forward from right-back but his hopeful shot is blocked. It breaks to Valencia, though, and Evra has to turn his cross behind for a corner.[LNB]65 United dominating possession now, but credit to Wigan and Brown and Cattermole in particular - they are everywhere.[LNB]64 Berbatov bursts down the left but his ball in is a poor one and drifts out for a throw on the opposite side.[LNB]63 Tevez loses the ball in Wigan territory, but it's a sign of his commitment that he races all the way back into the United half to nick it back. Needless to say, chants of 'Fergie, sign him up' blare out from the away end.[LNB]62 Fair play to Tevez, he's doing all he can to convince United to sign him permanently![LNB]61 GOAL - TEVEZ. What a substitute! A good deal of fortune about the goal, but it's all-square and that's all United will care about. Carrick's angled shot is badly dragged but Tevez somehow manages to produce a brilliant backheeled effort into the bottom corner with Kingson beaten.[LNB]61 Vidic's long ball over the top gives Tevez no chance of keeping it in. Still waiting for United to get their first effort on target.[LNB]60 Berbatov just can't get a bouncing ball down and it dribbles off his toes into Kingson's arms. Definitely feels like United are cranking it up since Tevez's arrival.[LNB]59 Lovely stuff from Tevez to win the ball, lay it down the right for Rooney then race onto the return. Panicky defending from Wigan, but they ultimately clear. Better from United, though.[LNB]58 More good pressure from Cattermole this time on Carrick, whose pass is poor. The Wigan midfielders have been superb.[LNB]58 Tevez replaces Anderson. Presumably Ronaldo will now drop wide with Tevez up top with Berbatov.[LNB]57 Free-kick United just inside their half as Berbatov is tripped.[LNB]56 O'Shea meets both the corner and follow-up cross as United clear the danger.[LNB]56 Corner to Wigan.[LNB]56 Berbatov and Scholes link well with the ball eventually worked into Rooney in the box. He goes down under pressure from Scharner and United fans behind that goal appeal for a penalty, but Rooney doesn't bother to appeal and play continues.[LNB]55 Tevez has his tracksuit off and is ready to join the fray.[LNB]55 Rooney whips a decent enough ball in from the right but no United players are close enough to put Kingson under pressure and he gathers well in the conditions.[LNB]54 N'Zogbia lays the ball out to Figueroa on the left but his shot is never troubling van der Sar and flies into the stand. Looks like we're in for a half of end-to-end football so hang on to your hats.[LNB]53 Scharner penalised for a foul on Rooney as United look to break down the right. Been a bitty half so far - no flowing football on display.[LNB]52 Corner whipped in towards the back post but it drifts through and goes out for a United throw.[LNB]52 Corner to Wigan as Vidic heads behind under pressure from Rodallega. He wanted a free-kick, but the corner's given.[LNB]51 Vidic plays a terrible ball out from the back but recovers well to nick the ball off Valencia's toes after he looked to link up with Rodallega.[LNB]50 Decent link play between Berbatov and Ronaldo, but the latter's shot is pretty terrible and drifts well wide. Promising signs in the build-up but that shot smacked of desperation.[LNB]49 Wigan continuing to press as soon as United get the ball anywhere inside the Latics' half. It's been a great show of energy thus far - can they maintain it?[LNB]48 A few slips already early in this half as the wet surface takes its toll. Wonder if it'll contribute to a goal at either end?[LNB]47 Great covering work from Evans to get across and clear away as Rodallega chases down an angled ball over the top.[LNB]46 Berbatov again caught in possession, this time just inside the United half. Good defending, though, and United clear.[LNB]46 Shaky start to the half from United as Anderson miscontrols and merely bundles the ball out of play for a Wigan throw.[LNB]45 United get us back under way.[LNB] No changes at the break for United - won't be long in coming, though, if things stay like this I'd beg to guess.[LNB] Barry Taylor writes: "What a first half. Was good action from both ends, Wigan unlucky not to be two up. Think Giggs will be on half-time for Anderson who has been very quiet, Scholesy has been holding the midfield best he can and Rooney has been working like a trojan horse. However we are still one nil down which is not good. Think we may see Tevez as well not sure who he will replace but its on the cards......1-2 final score."[LNB] Sky Bet still make United the favourites - albeit now 11/10 - with Wigan 5/2 and the draw a 9/5 shot.[LNB] That's half-time and what a situation we have here! After a shaky start United just seemed to have found their feet when Wigan scored - a goal that will not only have been celebrated by Latics fans but by Liverpool supporters as well. Definitely game on here. I'd be surprised if we don't see Park and/or Tevez in the second half as Berbatov has been pretty anonymous and United look keen to switch to 4-4-2 which doesn't suit a midfield including Anderson, Carrick and Scholes.[LNB]45+2 The corner falls to Vidic, but he fires over.[LNB]45+2 United spring quickly and Ronaldo forces a corner off Bramble.[LNB]45+2 United work the ball from right to left but Melchiot stands firm in the challenge to block Evra's cross and Wigan clear. Great link play presents Rodallega with a shooting opportunity but he drags it wide.[LNB]45+1 Rooney powers down the right and forces a throw deep in Wigan territory.[LNB]45 There will be two added minutes.[LNB]45 At the other end, Cattermole fires in a shot from distance which deflects off Evans but is well saved by van der Sar.[LNB]44 United have their first spell of good possession for many a minute and after working the ball around brilliantly Rooney gets a shooting opportunity but he fires over. Probably should have done better there, though Valencia was tackling back.[LNB]43 United have gone 4-4-2 with Ronaldo pushed up top and Anderson moving out to the left with Rooney on the right.[LNB]43 Berbatov slides the ball through for Ronaldo, but the Portuguese is penalised for offside. Replay shows it wasn't the correct call, but was a tight one.[LNB]42 Another Ronaldo free-kick straight into the wall and Wigan deal with the bits and pieces well, with Evra penalised for handball.[LNB]41 Cattermole and Brown setting a fine example to their Wigan team-mates here - their workrate is fabulous. Free-kick United, though, with Cattermole penalised for a foul on Carrick. Still no yellow card for the Wigan midfielder though.[LNB]40 Ronaldo down in an off-the-ball incident but it's not clear what's happened there. Could have been a collision with Boyce but Styles waves play on and Ronaldo clambers to his feet.[LNB]39 United players not looking too chuffed with how things are going here - Vidic throwing his arms up in the air and Ronaldo not too impressed either.[LNB]38 Rodallega back to his feet but still looking uncomfortable.[LNB]37 Rodallega goes down under pressure from Vidic but Styles waves away the protests. Rodallega holding his throat. Vidic leant into the Colombian and caught him, but not worthy of further action.[LNB]36 United definitely rattled - but they've not been at their fluent best since kick-off. That said, it could have been oh so different had Rooney taken his chance to open the scoring.[LNB]35 Ronaldo comes bursting out of midfield and goes down under the challenge of Cattermole, but it's a great tackle. Ronaldo not impressed but it looked to be a cracking sliding tackle.[LNB]34 Styles not happy with Vidic, who has been chipping away at him since the goal. Pretty clear what the message was there - any more of that and it's an early bath for the Serb.[LNB]34 United take the corner short and when Rooney crosses Wigan are able to clear, albeit at the expense of a throw.[LNB]33 Lovely stuff from Rooney as he reverses a ball to Ronaldo inside the Wigan box - and the Portuguese forces a corner. Vidic will no doubt come forward scenting blood.[LNB]32 Ronaldo moving more central now as he goes looking for the ball - he's had little of it facing the goal so far. At the other end, Figueroa fires in another shot but it's never firing van der Sar.[LNB]31 United build patiently until Rooney whips a cross in from the left. O'Shea is the furthest United player forward but Kingson gathers comfortably.[LNB]30 Valencia powers down the right and gets a cross in but O'Shea does well to deal with it at the back post. Wigan fans right up for this one now - but that probably goes without saying.[LNB]29 How will United react to this? Liverpool fans likely to be jumping up and down in their living rooms right now.[LNB]28 GOAL - RODALLEGA. Out of nothing, Wigan go in front. Rodallega and Vidic challenge for an aerial ball and both initially don't know where it's gone. Rodallega reacts quickest, though, and drills it home. Vidic furious as he thought Rodallega fouled him in the aerial challenge, but Styles is having none of it.[LNB]27 Ball continues not to stick at Berbatov's feet and his role is crucial if United are to get the ball down and work it wide.[LNB]26 Evra caught in possession on halfway by Valencia. He knocks the ball to Melchiot, but Evans is in well to clear. Wigan pick it up, though, with Rooney caught napping and it's worked out to Figueroa on the left, but his shot is over.[LNB]25 More of the game being played in Wigan territory now. Evra breaks down the left again and cuts back for Berbatov, but the Bulgarian can't control and Wigan clear.[LNB]24 Ronaldo's free-kick loops up off the wall but Boyce clears. Changes of footwear for Valencia and Vidic in the build-up to that tell you all you need to know about conditions.[LNB]23 Evra comes bursting in on an arcing angle to link well with Rooney. He advances towards the Wigan box and goes down under pressure from Boyce. Free-kick United, though Boyce isn't impressed. Definite shooting opportunity for Ronaldo.[LNB]22 Rooney smacks in a shot from distance but it's well blocked by Brown. United pick it up but Ronaldo comes off second best to the wet turf, much to the delight of the Wigan fans.[LNB]21 Cattermole penalised for handball for the second time. He escapes a booking - which angers Berbatov and Rooney. Surely his last chance.[LNB]20 Rooney slides the ball forward to Carrick, who is taking up some advanced positions tonight. This time he opts to fire in a right-footed shot but it's always curling wide.[LNB]19 Good pressure from the Wigan players from front to back, with Berbatov eventually caught in possession. N'Zogbia's ball in is cleared, though, and Carrick is then fouled.[LNB]18 United still looking unusually edgy here. Could have been so different had Rooney converted that great chance.[LNB]17 Carrick tries a diagonal ball for Rooney but Melchiot is again equal to the challenge and heads clear. Wigan spring on the counter-attack and Rodallega makes the most of an Evans misjudgement to bear down on the United area. He eventually fires in a left-footed shot but it's straight at van der Sar.[LNB]16 The corner is whipped in but Rooney heads clear for United. Wigan pick it up but their second thrust comes to nothing and Cattermole is penalised for handball as United try to break.[LNB]15 Once referee Styles is happy with the wall, N'Zogbia takes the aerial approach with the free-kick and van der Sar punches it away. Was goalbound, but a relatively comfortable save.[LNB]14 N'Zogbia will surely fizz this one in.[LNB]13 Free-kick to Wigan just a yard or so outside the United box out towards the right as Scholes is penalised for handball. Looked harsh initially but the replay suggests it definitely caught Scholes on the arm.[LNB]12 Just as I wrote United would be needing their fans tonight the players seem to have settled in nicely and are now having much the better of the play.[LNB]11 Rooney, obviously keen to make immediate amends, breaks out of midfield and slides the ball across to Scholes. He knocks it on to Berbatov, who in turn finds Ronaldo. His cut-back is perfect for Carrick, but his clipped finish is inches off target. Lovely move from United - much better.[LNB]10 Good, patient build-up from United leads to Berbatov whipping a lovely ball in from the right. Rooney is unmarked seven yards out but heads woefully wide. Should have scored - or at the very least got it on target.[LNB]9 United fans in great voice, signing about their Champions League final trip to Rome. Their team will need them tonight judging on the first nine minutes of action.[LNB]8 Rooney links well with Evra down the United left but Melchiot tackles back well, conceding a throw with a sliding tackle.[LNB]7 Bright start this from Wigan. United just looking to knock the ball around now and get a foothold in this one.[LNB]6 United get their first decent spell of possession and Scholes dinks a wonderful ball over the top for Rooney, but the flag is up for offside. A tight one, but the right call.[LNB]5 Rooney and Ronaldo have switched flanks already. The ball's not sticking at Berbatov's feet yet, though, so they've barely had a touch.[LNB]4 Wigan definitely on the front foot early on here - and Michael Brown gets a rare shot in from the edge of the United box but it's well blocked by Vidic. Worrying signs for the visitors.[LNB]3 Scholes late in on Cattermole in midfield. Free-kick Wigan. It's lofted long but Vidic climbs highest to head clear.[LNB]2 Great opportunity for a goal inside 90 seconds...but not the way you might imagine. Almost out of nothing Valencia bursts clear from the halfway line with Vidic in hot pursuit. He makes it into the United box but Vidic just does enough to put him off and he screws his attempted dinked finish wide. Great chance.[LNB]2 Early signs are Rooney on the left, Ronaldo on the right and Berbatov alone through the middle. He can surely expect plenty of support from the two Rs though.[LNB]1 Been plenty of rain in the north west today and it's still falling now - the pitch looks quick so should suit United's passing game.[LNB]0 Wigan get us under way at the JJB. As mentioned earlier, United need just four points to retain the Premier League title - but can they get three of those tonight? Stay tuned to find out.[LNB] Teams out on the pitch now...[LNB] Teams in the tunnel, with Sir Alex Ferguson giving every one of his players a pat on the back as they emerged from the dressing room.[LNB] Blackpool-based United fan Oliver Perkins writes: "I believe United have the power and strength up front to rampage through Wigan's defence. I predict 4-0 to Man United, with Rooney scoring 2, and Ronaldo and Berbatov scoring 1 each."[LNB] Could well have underestimated the Liverpudlian connection tuning in. Adrian writes: "A couple of Liverpool fans Reece? I'd say we are all tuning in! It is sad when you are hoping a team like Wigan can do you a favor but at least it's exciting."[LNB] Time for a couple of predictions. Aarshin from India reckons a draw could be on the cards - as does Damo Blyth, who is "hoping" that's the case. Presumably we've got at least a couple of Liverpool fans tuning in this evening.[LNB] Jeff from Chester writes: "I can't believe that Berbatov is in the starting line-up again ahead of Tevez. You may be right and I hope you are and that this means he will now start against Arsenal instead."[LNB] Fergie has just told Sky he has made "five good changes" and still has a "strong team". He says he has to be careful to pick the "right team" for the right occasion as the season reaches its climax. He also says it looks like Rio Ferdinand could be out of Saturday's game with Arsenal as well as tonight's match.[LNB] Paul Jean Louis from Mauritius urges United fans to put their faith in the manager. He writes: "I am sure Sir Alex knows the full story. I really trust him. Just need to win 2 games and draw one for an historic QUADRUPLE."[LNB] Paul has an interesting theory. He writes: "Don't you think that given Fletcher is suspended for the Barcelona game that this is the starting XI for the final and Fergie is giving it a run-out before then. He will play Fletcher against Arsenal as he always does and won't want to risk anyone against Hull so tonight is his last chance to give the final XI a run-out. Tevez won't play in the final no matter how well he played or plays, he's suited the Arsenal games but possession will be so important against Barca so in comes Berbatov!"[LNB] All the pre-match talk is about one man. Amanda from Dublin writes: "I know it has been a topic of talk recently but as a Manchester United supporter I'm shocked again at Fergie leaving Tevez on the bench again meaning that more than likely one of our most reliable performers will be gone at the end of the season. Other than that, a strong team that I think shows Fergie wants to place one hand on the Premier League trophy tonight. Fingers crossed."[LNB] Michael Lonsdale backs up Jagroop, writing: "I would just like to say, or even ask, why isn't Tevez in the starting 11. I thought he played very well against City and scored a wonderful goal. I am very suprised not to see him starting up front with Rooney."[LNB] Jagroop Singh isn't too impressed with Fergie's team selection. He writes: "What is up with Alex Ferguson? Tevez has been playing amazing and yet again he starts on the bench. No wonder he will leave us this summer if he isn't getting games. I dont blame him. Also why not start Rafael he needs some experience. Should have been Tevez and Rooney up front today no disrespect for Berbatov." Surely it's a good sign for Tevez - won't he now start against Arsenal? Could be the same story for Rafael.[LNB] You can let me know your thoughts on tonight's game with an email to reece.killworth@bskyb.com - I'll print the best as and when time allows.[LNB] For those of a betting persuasion, Sky Bet go 9/1 the home win, 9/2 the draw and 2/7 for a United win. I'll nail my colours to the mast early on - Wayne Rooney to score at anytime and the first half to have more goals than the second.[LNB] Our referee tonight is Rob Styles.[LNB] Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Neville, Giggs, Park, Nani, Rafael Da Silva, Tevez.[LNB] The teams are in. Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Scharner, Brown, N'Zogbia, Rodallega. Subs: Pollitt, Edman, Watson, Koumas, De Ridder, Mido, Kapo.[LNB] Welcome to our coverage of tonight's game at the JJB, kick-off 2000 BST. A win for Manchester United will take them to within a point of retaining their title. Stay tuned and we'll bring you the team news as soon as we get it.[LNB]
