Source: Daily_Mail
Wigan 2 Stoke 2: Latics left cursing their luck after Thomas horror miss
Wigan's familiar failings in front ofgoal denied them a win which would have lifted them out of the bottom three, but Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic deserved his plaudits by producing a stunning late save. [LNB]Twice Wigan came from behind but theyhad the chances to win this one and were denied when Begovic acrobatically tipped a Charles N'Zogbia effort on to the post in the 83rd minute.[LNB] 'You're looking at an experienced and strong Stoke side and when you give them the lead, the games become very difficult,' said Wigan manager Roberto Martinez. [LNB] Close up: Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia sees his shot hit the post after the save from Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic[LNB]'They got a deflection for the first goal but we never folded, we reacted in the right manner and it took an outstanding save at the end to prevent Charles scoring.' [LNB]Unbeaten in the previous four matches, Stoke claimed a fortunate opener with Robert Huth's 25-yard free-kick deflecting off the wall and sending goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi the wrong way as it trickled into the opposite corner. [LNB][LNB] Boiling point: Tempers flare between Wigan and Stoke players[LNB]MATCH FACTSWIGAN (4-5-1): Al Habsi; Gohouri, Alcaraz, S Caldwell, Figueroa (Stam 73min); N'Zogbia, Thomas, Diame,Watson, Cleverley; Boselli. Subs (not used): Pollitt, Gomez, McArthur, Boyce, McManaman, Mustoe. Booked: Figueroa.STOKE (4-4-2): Begovic; Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Higginbotham; Walters (Whelan 70), Delap, Whitehead, Etherington; Fuller (Tuncay 83), Jones. Subs (not used): Sorensen, Gudjohnsen, Diao, Faye, Shotton. Booked: Begovic, Shawcross, Fuller, Walters.Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).[LNB]Wigan's equaliser after 30 minutes was just as lucky, James Collins putting Ben Watson's free-kick past Begovic. [LNB]Stoke regained the lead a minute later through Matthew Etherington, who fired home Ricardo Fuller's cross. [LNB]Hendry Thomas missed a sitter but TomCleverley made amends five minutes before half-time when his deflected shot beat Begovic. [LNB]Stoke are now seventh in the table but manager Tony Pulis would only say: 'We had a three-year plan when wegot promoted and we said we needed to be in the Premier League for three years for the club to push on. Nothing has changed.'[LNB] High jump: Wigan's Tom Cleverley celebrates scoring an equaliser[LNB] Liverpool eye Stoke's Shawcross but Agger warns he won't be forced outWigan boss Martinez considers his options after Moses blowSTOKE CITY FC
