Keogh downs Wigan

18 August 2009 19:04
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} A first-half Andy Keogh header saw Wolves beat Wigan at the DW Stadium and secure their first-ever Premier League away win.[LNB] Keogh registered his intent in the fifth minute when he curled a superb shot from the left edge of the box which hit Chris Kirkland's left post and bounced out.[LNB]But the Republic of Ireland international made no mistake a minute later when he rose unmarked to head home a Nenad Milijas free-kick which went in off the same post.[LNB]Wigan came more into the game thereafter and Charles N'Zogbia was played in one-on-one with Wayne Hennessey but scuffed his shot and the Wolves keeper saved.[LNB]In the second period, Wigan started at a higher tempo but Keogh had a legitimate penalty shout turned down when he went down under a challenge from Titus Bramble, and was then booked for diving.[LNB]At the other end, substitute Jason Scotland also had a penalty shout turned down while fellow substitute Scott Sinclair headed wide but Wolves held firm for the victory - their first away win in 30 Premier League matches.[LNB]On their last appearance in the top flight in 2003/04, Wolves failed to win outside Molineux, losing 12 and drawing seven times.[LNB]Fully deservedBut they fully deserved this win after catching their hosts cold from the opening whistle and so spoiling Wigan manager Roberto Martinez's 'homecoming'.[LNB]After Jordi Gomez had blazed over Hennessey's weak punch from a second-minute Jason Koumas free-kick all the early chances fell to the visitors.[LNB]They should have taken the lead in the fifth minute when Keogh, on the left of the area, cut back onto his right foot to curl a shot which rebounded back off the far post.[LNB]However, he made up for it soon after by putting his side ahead with the help of the same upright.[LNB]Keogh rose above a static Paul Scharner to glance Milijas' left-wing free-kick past Kirkland and in off the woodwork.[LNB]Greg Halford should have made it 2-0 in the 15th minute when Keogh flicked on Milijas' corner but the unmarked midfielder ballooned the ball over from eight yards.[LNB]Gomez headed in N'Zogbia's right-wing free-kick only to be flagged offside in a rare attack against a visiting side which had enjoyed all the early play.[LNB]Fight backWigan began to fight their way back and sprang into life in a two-minute spell late in the half as N'Zogbia had a shot deflected over, Gomez fired the resulting corner into a crowd of players and Bramble headed another corner wide.[LNB]In that same period N'Zogbia had their best chance of the game when he ran on to Hugo Rodallega's flick on only to shoot tamely at Hennessy.[LNB]Wigan began the second half with much more purpose, Rodallega curling a free-kick at Hennessey after Koumas was fouled by Richard Stearman having charged down a clearance.[LNB]However, 11 minutes in came a moment of controversy when referee Mick Jones booked Keogh for diving in the penalty area when it appeared Bramble had just caught him with an outstretched foot.[LNB]Stearman was booked in the 72nd minute for going in late on N'Zogbia before Scotland also had a penalty shout turned down, although Karl Henry appeared to produce an inch-perfect tackle to deny him.[LNB]Wigan stepped up the pressure and Rodallega's first-time shot from Mario Melchiot's pass was deflected wide by Jody Craddock.[LNB]Substitute Sinclair then headed Gomez's cross agonisingly wide at the far post and Scharner fired over as battling Wolves held firm to record their first points of the season.[LNB]It left Wigan manager Martinez to work out how to find a way to get his side to turn their vastly superior second-half possession into clear-cut chances.[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports