Source: PA
Latics start 2011 with setback
Newcastle moved back into the top half of the Barclays Premier League as Shola Ameobi's close-range finish clinched a 1-0 win at Wigan.
Ameobi, in the Magpies side as a replacement for injured top-scorer Andy Carroll, pounced in the 19th minute when Ali Al Habsi blocked Joey Barton's shot and Peter Lovenkrands's follow-up hit a post.
Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor also both struck the woodwork for the visitors, while Gary Caldwell saw his header come back off the bar for the Latics.
It was a welcome start to 2011 for Alan Pardew as his side bounced back from two straight defeats and moved up to 10th place.
For Wigan, who are just a point and a place above the relegation, the situation is more concerning.