Rodallega secures final-day win

24 May 2009 17:32
Striker Hugo Rodallega scored his third goal in four matches as Wigan ended a run of three successive defeats by beating Portsmouth 1-0 at the JJB Stadium. The Colombia striker had the simplest of tap-ins from three yards after Sol Campbell completely missed Charles N'Zogbia's 27th-minute cross. Rodallega somewhat stole the limelight from winger Antonio Valencia, who put in a good performance on what was expected to be his final appearance for the club before a big-money summer move. Victory ended a dismal spell that had seen the Latics take only one point from the previous seven matches and was only their fourth win since the turn of the year. It was that form that put paid to their hopes of European football next season as they dropped out of contention for seventh place having secured their top-flight future at the end of March. However, they finished 11th in the Premier League table, their best since the all-time high of 10th under Paul Jewell in 2005/06. For Portsmouth, who seemed to be resigned to their fate about 15 minutes into the second half, this was a 13th match on the road without victory.

Source: Eurosport