Sunderland take the points in this relegation six pointer but the visitors will wonder how they haven't got anything from the game after hitting the post three times and forcing Gordon into several fine saves.
88
Koumas delivers another good cross into the Sunderland box but King's header drops wide of the target.
86
It's Kirkland's turn to warm his hands as Prica's header is saved well by the Wigan stopper.
84
Substitution
Goal scorer Etuhu leaves the field to a standing ovation from most of the 43,600 crowd. Leadbitter replaces him.
82
Another good save from Gordon as Boyce tries his luck with an overhead kick. Wigan haven't thrown the towel in here.
80
Wigan nearly get the goal their play's deserved as Gordon palms away Kilbane's header from Koumas' cross.
77
Back come Wigan as Olembe fires over from the edge of the box.
75
Goal
Murphy cuts in from the right hand side and lets fly with an unstoppable right foot shot. Kirkland couldn't do anything about it, great goal.
74
Substitution
Keane looks to see the game out as Chopra leaves the field for new signing Reid.
71
Wigan go close again! This time Koumas sends over a great corner that's met by Scharner but his flick misses everyone as the ball flies passed the upright.
69
Substitution
Heskey comes off for Bent. It seemed like Heskey was carrying a knock so the on loan Charlton striker gets his chance.
68
But the Wales midfielder doesn't get a good connection and ball flies into the wall.
67
Free kick on the edge of the box to Wigan as Valencia goes down under a challenge from Collins. Koumas is stepping up to take this one....
66
Wigan have just gone off the boil here and Sunderland are starting to get a foot hold in the game.
63
Kirkland does well to punch a cross clear as Jones and Etuhu pile into the Wigan box.
59
Yellow Card
Valencia is the first into ref Dean's notebook after a late tackle on Collins.
57
Sunderland's first chance of the second half as Murphy swings a boot at the ball from the left side of penalty area but his effort goes wide of the target.
56
Substitution
Taylor is injured and has to make way for Olembe.
55
Valencia is the latest Wigan play to threaten the Sunderland goal as he lets fly from 20 yards but once again Evans blocks the shot.
52
Koumas delivers a swerving corner into the Sunderland box but Whitehead does well to head clear.
50
Lovely work by Koumas as he wriggles free in midfield and sends over a looping pass to Heskey. The striker got his head to the ball but it rebounds off the post. Wigan have hit the woodwork twice now in this second half.
48
What a waste by Murphy - Jones left the ball for the Sunderland striker but he snatched at the shot when he had more time and the ball flies high into the stands.
46
So close for Wigan as Kilbane's vicious 25 yard drive hits the Sunderland post. The rebound caused mayhem as King blazed the ball towards goal but the home sides' defenders managed to clear. Good start by Wigan.
46
Substitution
Steve Bruce is going for it - Melchiot comes off for Koumas.
Half time
Sunderland go in at the break with a slightly fortuitous lead after Etuhu's late header.Wigan had the lion share of possession and chances but went to sleep defensively late in the first half and paid the price.
43
Almost an immediate reply from Wigan as Brown's shot on the edge of the box is blocked by Evans.
41
Goal
Etuhu gives Sunderland the lead against the run of play. The all action midfielder rose unchalleged at the back post to head home.
37
Good effort by Bardsley as he skips passed Taylor and unleashes a spectacular angled drive on goal - but the shot is just off target. It got the Sunderland fans on their feet though.
35
Great effort by Palacios as he tries to chip Gordon from 40 yards. The Sunderland keeper looked to be struggling as he raced back to goal but the ball sailed just wide.
33
Steve Bruce is furious with ref Mike Dean after Heskey went down in the Sunderland box. It looked like he was held back by Evans but the official waved play on.
30
Substitution
And that's O'Donovan's last contribution to this game as Prica comes on for the injured Sunderland man.
29
O'Donovan fires in a decent cross over for Sunderland but Kirkland collects easily. Sunderland look second best at the moment.
27
Kilbane tries to score a carbon copy of his goal against West Ham last weekend. But as the winger peels away to the back post the ball in by Brown is overhit and it's a goal kick to Sunderland.
24
Excellent play by Taylor as he bursts passed three Sunderland players on his way into the box. But the midfielder can't get enough power on his flicked shot and Gordon saves easily.
22
Finally Sunderland respond with an attack of their own - but Jones can only head over from the edge of the area after a good cross by Murphy.
20
Brown pumps a free kick into the Sunderland box looking for Heskey but the ball's overhit and it's a goal kick to the home side.
18
Heskey looks to be carrying an injury. The striker went down under a heavy challenge by Nosworthy but he should be OK to continue.
16
Valencia tries his luck from 20 yards out but Evans does well to block his shot. Wigan are getting on top here.
14
Wigan are playing some good stuff here. Scharner is starting to dominate the midfield and only a slip from Taylor prevent's the Wigan man from being through on goal.
12
King, Taylor and Heskey combine well but the move is snuffed out brilliantly by Etuhu.
10
The game is settling down after a frantic start. Both sides have had chances but the midfields of both sides are starting to see more of the ball.
8
Great effort by Scharner. The Wigan man rifled a volley just over the crossbar with Gordon beaten.
6
Wigan spring into life as the ball is launched long looking for Heskey. But the former Liverpool man's knockdown is lashed high over the Sunderland bar by King.
4
First chance of the game as O'Donovan swings over a great cross for Jones who climbs above Kilbane at the back post - but his header grazes the Wigan bar.
2
Whitehead drives the free kick straight into the Wigan wall and the visitors are able to clear.
1
We're underway and the home side are straight on the attack. Brown handles the ball just outside the Wigan box. Free kick to Sunderland.
The teams are led out at the Stadium of Light by referee Mike Dean for this crucial relegation six-pointer.
Wigan boss Steve Bruce welcomes back new signing Marlon King after the striker played for Jamaica in midweek. While captain Mario Melchiot has shaken off a thigh injury to take his place in defence.
Sunderland are without a number of key players for the visit of relegation rivals Wigan Athletic. Kieran Richardson and Liam Miller are both out but Grant Leadbitter and new £4m signing Andy Reid make the bench.
Sunderland
Wigan Athletic
Full time
Sunderland take the points in this relegation six pointer but the visitors will wonder how they haven't got anything from the game after hitting the post three times and forcing Gordon into several fine saves.
Koumas delivers another good cross into the Sunderland box but King's header drops wide of the target.
It's Kirkland's turn to warm his hands as Prica's header is saved well by the Wigan stopper.
Substitution
Goal scorer Etuhu leaves the field to a standing ovation from most of the 43,600 crowd. Leadbitter replaces him.
Another good save from Gordon as Boyce tries his luck with an overhead kick. Wigan haven't thrown the towel in here.
Wigan nearly get the goal their play's deserved as Gordon palms away Kilbane's header from Koumas' cross.
Back come Wigan as Olembe fires over from the edge of the box.
Goal
Murphy cuts in from the right hand side and lets fly with an unstoppable right foot shot. Kirkland couldn't do anything about it, great goal.
Substitution
Keane looks to see the game out as Chopra leaves the field for new signing Reid.
Wigan go close again! This time Koumas sends over a great corner that's met by Scharner but his flick misses everyone as the ball flies passed the upright.
Substitution
Heskey comes off for Bent. It seemed like Heskey was carrying a knock so the on loan Charlton striker gets his chance.
But the Wales midfielder doesn't get a good connection and ball flies into the wall.
Free kick on the edge of the box to Wigan as Valencia goes down under a challenge from Collins. Koumas is stepping up to take this one....
Wigan have just gone off the boil here and Sunderland are starting to get a foot hold in the game.
Kirkland does well to punch a cross clear as Jones and Etuhu pile into the Wigan box.
Yellow Card
Valencia is the first into ref Dean's notebook after a late tackle on Collins.
Sunderland's first chance of the second half as Murphy swings a boot at the ball from the left side of penalty area but his effort goes wide of the target.
Substitution
Taylor is injured and has to make way for Olembe.
Valencia is the latest Wigan play to threaten the Sunderland goal as he lets fly from 20 yards but once again Evans blocks the shot.
Koumas delivers a swerving corner into the Sunderland box but Whitehead does well to head clear.
Lovely work by Koumas as he wriggles free in midfield and sends over a looping pass to Heskey. The striker got his head to the ball but it rebounds off the post. Wigan have hit the woodwork twice now in this second half.
What a waste by Murphy - Jones left the ball for the Sunderland striker but he snatched at the shot when he had more time and the ball flies high into the stands.
So close for Wigan as Kilbane's vicious 25 yard drive hits the Sunderland post. The rebound caused mayhem as King blazed the ball towards goal but the home sides' defenders managed to clear. Good start by Wigan.
Substitution
Steve Bruce is going for it - Melchiot comes off for Koumas.
Half time
Sunderland go in at the break with a slightly fortuitous lead after Etuhu's late header.Wigan had the lion share of possession and chances but went to sleep defensively late in the first half and paid the price.
Almost an immediate reply from Wigan as Brown's shot on the edge of the box is blocked by Evans.
Goal
Etuhu gives Sunderland the lead against the run of play. The all action midfielder rose unchalleged at the back post to head home.
Good effort by Bardsley as he skips passed Taylor and unleashes a spectacular angled drive on goal - but the shot is just off target. It got the Sunderland fans on their feet though.
Great effort by Palacios as he tries to chip Gordon from 40 yards. The Sunderland keeper looked to be struggling as he raced back to goal but the ball sailed just wide.
Steve Bruce is furious with ref Mike Dean after Heskey went down in the Sunderland box. It looked like he was held back by Evans but the official waved play on.
Substitution
And that's O'Donovan's last contribution to this game as Prica comes on for the injured Sunderland man.
O'Donovan fires in a decent cross over for Sunderland but Kirkland collects easily. Sunderland look second best at the moment.
Kilbane tries to score a carbon copy of his goal against West Ham last weekend. But as the winger peels away to the back post the ball in by Brown is overhit and it's a goal kick to Sunderland.
Excellent play by Taylor as he bursts passed three Sunderland players on his way into the box. But the midfielder can't get enough power on his flicked shot and Gordon saves easily.
Finally Sunderland respond with an attack of their own - but Jones can only head over from the edge of the area after a good cross by Murphy.
Brown pumps a free kick into the Sunderland box looking for Heskey but the ball's overhit and it's a goal kick to the home side.
Heskey looks to be carrying an injury. The striker went down under a heavy challenge by Nosworthy but he should be OK to continue.
Valencia tries his luck from 20 yards out but Evans does well to block his shot. Wigan are getting on top here.
Wigan are playing some good stuff here. Scharner is starting to dominate the midfield and only a slip from Taylor prevent's the Wigan man from being through on goal.
King, Taylor and Heskey combine well but the move is snuffed out brilliantly by Etuhu.
The game is settling down after a frantic start. Both sides have had chances but the midfields of both sides are starting to see more of the ball.
Great effort by Scharner. The Wigan man rifled a volley just over the crossbar with Gordon beaten.
Wigan spring into life as the ball is launched long looking for Heskey. But the former Liverpool man's knockdown is lashed high over the Sunderland bar by King.
First chance of the game as O'Donovan swings over a great cross for Jones who climbs above Kilbane at the back post - but his header grazes the Wigan bar.
Whitehead drives the free kick straight into the Wigan wall and the visitors are able to clear.
We're underway and the home side are straight on the attack. Brown handles the ball just outside the Wigan box. Free kick to Sunderland.
The teams are led out at the Stadium of Light by referee Mike Dean for this crucial relegation six-pointer.
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Kilbane, Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Taylor, Heskey, King
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan boss Steve Bruce welcomes back new signing Marlon King after the striker played for Jamaica in midweek. While captain Mario Melchiot has shaken off a thigh injury to take his place in defence.
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Nosworthy, Evans, Collins, O'Donovan, Etuhu, Whitehead, Murphy, Jones, Chopra
Awaiting Kickoff
Sunderland are without a number of key players for the visit of relegation rivals Wigan Athletic. Kieran Richardson and Liam Miller are both out but Grant Leadbitter and new £4m signing Andy Reid make the bench.