Wigan 1 - 2 Everton

| England News

Sunday Jan 20 2008 01:30

Two first-half defensive blunders proved disastrous for Wigan Athletic as Everton seized the chance to get a taste of life in the Premier League's top four.Titus Bramble's clanger gifted Andy Johnson the Everton opener, and no-one picked up Joleon Lescott in a packed goalmouth as he slammed in the second from a corner.

Wigan stormed back after Phil Jagielka's own goal early in the second half, but defeat cost the Latics an opportunity to continue their climb towards safety and survival in the big time.

Wigan newcomer Wilson Palacios, making his bow at the JJB Stadium, got off to an impressive, all-action start, operating wide on the left of midfield.

The Honduras international, snapped up on a three-and-a-half year deal after completing a loan spell at Birmingham City, fired a shot wide early on, and then set up a near post header for Emile Heskey who narrowly missed the target.

Wigan survived when Kevin Kilbane's clearance hit Bramble in the face, and fortunately went straight into Chris Kirkland's arms.

Everton then twice went close with Lee Carsley firing a free-kick over the bar, before Kirkland produced a point-blank save to deny the dangerous Mikel Arteta.Tim Howard had to be alert to palm a powerful Marcus Bent header onto the bar when the former Everton striker had been left completely unmarked from Antonio Valencia's corner.

Everton lived dangerously again when Valencia seized the chance to shoot but this time Tim Cahill performed the rescue act blocking the shot.

Johnson had a sniff of a chance after Bent gave the ball away, but Bramble spotted the danger to deny him a clean strike at goal.

However, disaster struck Wigan when Bramble was punished for a mistake after he made a mess of his attempt to get the ball back to his keeper.

It allowed Johnson to nip in as the big defender lost his footing and the fleet-footed striker raced on to fire his shot into the net through Kirkland's legs.

Wigan had hardly recovered from that blow when Everton struck again with Lescott gratefully accepting the chance to bang in his seventh goal of the season.

The Latics grabbed a lifeline when Jason Koumas' free-kick bounced about in the Everton six-yard box, and eventually went into the net off Jagielka.

Wigan turned on the pressure in the hunt for an equaliser although Leon Osman missed a great chance to kill them off when he missed the target with a close-range volley.

The closest Wigan came to grabbing an equaliser came when Kilbane poked the ball wide from Koumas' free-kick and Bent fired over in stoppage time.

Live Commentary

90
FULL TIME WIGAN 1-2 EVERTON: Phil Jagielka's own goal early in the second half gave Wigan hope but Andrew Johnson and Joleon Lescott's first half goals are enough to give Everton the win which lifts them up to fourth in the Premier League.

90
James Vaughan does well to hold the ball up deep in the Wigan half but he is given a harsh free kick against him.Wigan move up the field and Luis Antonio Valencia sets up Marcus Bent who hits his effort over the top.

90
We are moving into injury time here so not long left for Wigan if they are going to complete the comeback but so far they can't get the ball into the Toffees half.

88
It is a case of Wigan pushing now with Everton happy to soak it up and try to nick a killer third on the break in the final stages here.

86
Mikel Arteta puts the corner in but this time the ball is knocked behind for a goal kick.

86
Antoine Sibierski concedes a free kick in a good position for Everton. Mikel Arteta plays it in from the right and Paul Scharner does enough to clear for a corner.

84
James Vaughan almost gets clear on goal down the left flank but Paul Scharner gets back to get in a decisive tackle.

83
Jason Koumas puts the ball in from the free kick but Kevin Kilbane cannot get his shot on target against his former club.

82
Leon Osman fouls Luis Antonio Valencia and Wigan get a free kick in a good position but Steve Bruce brings on Julius Aghahowa for Michael Brown.

81
Everton's defence has so far held up well after Wigan got back into the game with that own goal as we move into the final 10 minutes.

79
Jason Koumas gets the ball on the edge of the area but his ball into the middle deflects off Phil Jagielka and into the arms of Tim Howard as the game goes from end-to-end.

78
James Vaughan does well out on the left and his inswinging ball goes just too far ahead of Andrew Johnson across the face of goal.

77
Jason Koumas picks up the ball on the edge of the area but his effort is high and wide of the goal.

76
Paul Scharner lifts a free kick into the Everton box but it goes straight through into the arms of Tim Howard.

74
Phil Neville is going off here with James Vaughan the man to replace the veteran player for Everton.

74
Most of the action is centering around the middle of the pitch here as neither side have created much in the past few minutes.

72
Lee Carsley heads the subsequent corner away but Wigan are still upping the pressure again as they search for a vital equaliser.

71
Jason Koumas puts the free kick in the area but this time Everton clear but Wigan get the ball back in and Phil Jagielka gives away a corner.

71
Phil Neville is lucky to escape a booking after committing two quick fouls in the middle of the pitch on Wigan players.

69
Andrew Johnson gets a break on goal and his first time effort from an angle is well cut out by the sliding tackle of Titus Bramble. Mikel Arteta takes the corner but Wigan eventually get a goal kick.

67
A chance for Everton here as Mario Melchiot headed clearance lands for Leon Osman on the penalty spot and he chests the ball down and volleys just wide of the far post.

66
It is a very tight affair now as Everton have just settled things down in the past few minutes and are getting forward themselves.

64
Another blunder by Titus Bramble with a bad clearance but his skipper Mario Melchiot clears the danger for his fellow defender.

63
Tim Cahill goes down in the area under pressure from Paul Scharner but the referee says no penalty for Everton.

62
Jason Koumas plays in the corner which is cleared and then Wilson Palacios fouls Andrew Johnson just outside the penalty area.

61
It is all Wigan now as Luis Antonio Valencia wins a corner off Jorge Nuno Valente.

60
Wigan are denied a penalty here as Joleon Lescott loses the ball to Wilson Palacios and then gets back to knock him off the ball in the area but nothing is given.

58
Luis Antonio Valencia plays a low ball right across the face of the Everton goal and Jason Koumas' cross back in is gathered by Tim Howard.

57
Jorge Nuno Valente does well to get a timely block on Marcus Bent as he was about to pull the trigger as Wigan have the ascendency here in this game.

55
Everton come forward but Titus Bramble does well to put in a tackle on Andrew Johnson to deny him a scoring chance.

54
A great first touch for Jason Koumas and Wigan now have a real hope of getting something out of this match here at the JJB Stadium.

53
WIGAN 1-2 EVERTON: Wigan are back in this as a Jason Koumas free kick into the area is missed by Tim Howard and goes in off the arm of PHIL JAGIELKA for an own goal.

52
Jorge Nuno Valente brings down Marcus Bent and Wigan make two changes before the free kick with Antoine Sibierski and Jason Koumas coming on for Emile Heskey and Denny Landzaat.

50
Mikel Arteta plays in a low cross which is headed at goal by Tim Cahill and hooked over the top by Andrew Johnson.

50
Mikel Arteta is taken out by Wilson Palacios on the right side of the Wigan penalty area and the Latics man is booked.

48
The free kick is cleared by Wigan but Everton retain possession and do not look like sitting back on their two-goal cushion.

47
A bright start for Everton here as they win a free kick in a dangerous position inside the Wigan half of the field.

46
The second half is up and running and Wigan will have to come back from two-down for the first time this season to get even a point while Everton will aim to wrap up the win.

45
HALF TIME WIGAN 0-2 EVERTON: Wigan had enjoyed the better of the first half so will be stunned to be two behind thanks to Andrew Johnson and Joleon Lescott's goals for the Toffees late in the half.

45
Mario Melchiot puts a low ball into the heart of the Everton area but Tim Howard gets down well to gather.

44
Wigan come forward and Emile Heskey blasts a shot high and wide of the Everton goal as the hosts will be stunned at being two-down in this game.

42
WIGAN 0-2 EVERTON: Mikel Arteta plays in the corner again which Wigan can't clear and Phil Jagielka's ball across the area is fired in by JOLEON LESCOTT from close range.

41
Titus Bramble knocks the ball behind as Everton look for a quick second but Marcus Bent heads it behind for another flag kick.

39
WIGAN 0-1 EVERTON: A slip by Titus Bramble lets in ANDREW JOHNSON who runs in the area and fires throw the legs of Chris Kirkland.

38
The game is becoming evenly matched as both sides are now getting forward looking for a goal.

36
Mikel Arteta plays a free kick into the Wigan area which is headed on by Joleon Lescott but eventually cleared away by the Wigan defence.

35
Wigan win a corner which is played in and cleared by Everton but the ball back in sees Emile Heskey commit a foul and Everton secure a free kick.

34
Andrew Johnson gets a chance from an angle but his first-time effort goes across the face of the Wigan goal.

33
Michael Brown swings a cross into the Everton area which is flicked on by Marcus Bent and drops out for a goal kick to the visitors.

32
Luis Antonio Valencia is again causing problems down the right flank but this time his low cross is knocked clear by Joleon Lescott.

31
Luis Antonio Valencia plays the ball to the edge of the area from the right flank and Michael Brown gets time to get in a shot which is wide of the upright.

30
Mikel Arteta plays in the flag kick but it is easily gathered by Chris Kirkland and he clears up field for Wigan.

30
Andrew Johnson works a chance for himself on the edge of the area but his shot deflects behind for a corner off Titus Bramble.

28
Mikel Arteta lobs a high ball forward but Andrew Johnson is marginally offside as he has struggled to cope with being a lone forward so far.

26
Tony Hibbert is shown a yellow card as he is late with a challenge on Wilson Palacios and he is now banned for the Tottenham game due to it being his 5th of the season.

25
Marcus Bent crosses across the face of goal and Luis Antonio Valencia's low shot is blocked by Tim Cahill as he concedes a corner which is then cleared as Wigan step up the pressure here.

22
Kevin Kilbane puts a long throw into the Everton box as Tim Cahill heads behind to concede a corner. Luis Antonio Valencia plays it in and Marcus Bent's header is tipped onto the bar off the hand of Tim Howard and is cleared.

19
David Moyes will be pleased to see his players finally showing their teeth in this match as Wigan had looked the brighter for the opening 15 minutes or so.

17
Everton come forward again and almost go in front as Andrew Johnson sets up Mikel Arteta and his shot is well saved by Chris Kirkland.

16
Mikel Arteta plays the free kick in and it lands at the feet of Lee Carsley who hooks a shot just over the top of the goal.

16
Mikel Arteta delivers the free kick finally but Wigan easily clear the danger as Everton get another free kick as Mikel Arteta is now fouled by Denny Landzaat.

15
Mikel Arteta goes to take the free kick and is harshly booked for taking it before the whistle is blown.

14
Everton come forward now and win a free kick in a good position as Kevin Kilbane fouls Leon Osman on the right flank.

12
For all their probing and pressure Wigan have yet to carve out a real scoring chance at the moment but something could happen if they keep this up.

10
Wigan have looked the sharper in the opening 10 minutes here as Everton have barely got out of their own half of the pitch.

8
Wilson Palacios gets past Tony Hibbert and his ball in the area deflects off a defender and almost sets up Emile Heskey who cannot direct his header on target.

6
Kevin Kilbane's attempted clearance smacks his team-mate Titus Bramble in the face but luckily for Wigan the ball goes staright to the hands of Chris Kirkland.

5
An entertaining opening few minutes with both teams looking to get forward whenever possible despite the poor playing surface.

3
Mikel Arteta knocks the ball into the area but it just runs away from him as he attempted to go round Chris Kirkland on a tight angle and it runs out of play for a goal kick.

2
This pitch looks a bit dodgy to say the least after all the rainfall in the North-West this past week with players likely to lose their footing.

1
A positive start from Wigan as Wilson Palacios engineers a chance for himself and curls an effort wide of Tim Howard's upright in the opening minute.

0
The game is underway at the JJB Stadium with Wigan looking for three points which will lift them three points clear of the drop zone and into 13th spot, while Everton can move into fourth place if they avoid defeat.

0
Everton starting XI: Howard, Hibbert, Lescott, Jagielka, Nuno Valente, Arteta, Carsley, Neville, Osman, Cahill, Johnson.

0
Everton boss David Moyes is boosted by the return of striker Andy Johnson, while Leon Osman starts after being out since mid-December with a broken toe. Midfielder Manuel Fernandes is on the bench after his return to the club on loan.

0
Wigan starting XI: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Landzaat, Heskey, Bent.

0
Antoine Sibierski got the winner in that game but starts on the bench.

0
Wigan boss Steve Bruce opts to bring Paul Scharner back into the side as a replacement for Emmerson Boyce in his defence in the only change from the team that beat Derby 1-0 last weekend.

Statistics

Wigan

Shots on target	3
Shots off target	11
Shots off bar/post	1
Fouls	15
Offsides	1
Corners	5

Everton

Shots on target	6
Shots off target	5
Shots off bar/post	0
Fouls	15
Offsides	3
Corners	5

See Live Commentary