Source: Daily_Mail
Wigan 2 Wolves 0: Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega seal win after Karl Henry sees red
Goals from Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega lifted Wigan out of the bottom three and condemned 10-man Wolves to a fourth successive Barclays Premier League defeat.[LNB]Gomez put the hosts ahead at the DW Stadium with a brilliant free-kick in the 65th minute and Rodallega deflected in a second five minutes from time.[LNB]Wolves were up against it from the 11th minute, when captain Karl Henry was sent off for a shocking challenge on Gomez, but it was the Wigan midfielder who had the last laugh.[LNB] Double top: Hugo Rodallega sealed the three points for Wigan[LNB] [LNB]Neither side was able to takecontrol in a scrappy opening, and Wigan found themselves temporarilywithout captain Antolin Alcaraz in only the seventh minute when he leftthe pitch to receive stitches in a head wound.[LNB]The numbers were then evened up fourminutes later, but Henry's exit was to be permanent following areckless challenge on Gomez.[LNB]Referee Lee Mason had no hesitationin brandishing a red card after the Wolves captain launched himselfinto a challenge on Gomez, catching the Spaniard on the shins.[LNB]It was the last thing Henry needed, with the heat already on him and Wolves for a perceived over-physical style of play.[LNB]Henry was criticised for a number ofchallenges on Newcastle's Joey Barton earlier in the season, while hewas also the tackler when Fulham striker Bobby Zamora broke his leg.[LNB]But neither the 27-year-old normanager Mick McCarthy, who has been a staunch defender of his playersamid the criticism, could have any complaints this time.[LNB] Pick that one out: Jordi Gomez breaks the deadlock at a deserted DW Stadium[LNB] [LNB]Thankfully, and somewhatsurprisingly, Gomez was able to continue after treatment, and, withAlcaraz also returning to the action, Wigan set about trying to maketheir numerical advantage count.[LNB]However, if anything the sending-offmerely exposed Wigan's lack of invention as they were restricted to aseries of wayward shots from distance until just before half-time whenGomez could only deflect Charles N'Zogbia's cross past the far postwith Marcus Hahnemann stranded.[LNB]Within seconds of the restart, Wiganshould have been ahead. At the end of an impressive move, Rodallegafound space on the right of the area and passed to Franco Di Santo, whoappeared to have the simple task of slotting the ball home from sixyards.[LNB]But the Argentinian scuffed his shotjust enough to allow Hahnemann to get a hand to the ball, and theWolves defence managed to clear.[LNB]Wigan were certainly demonstratingmore creativity in attack and, after a good run and cross from N'Zogbiadown the left, James McCarthy fired a shot into Hahnemann's midriff.[LNB] No complaints: Referee Lee Mason shows Karl Henry a straight red card[LNB]Wolves boss Mick McCarthy respondedby bringing on defender George Elokobi for Fletcher but his plans wentout of the window in the 65th minute.[LNB]Dave Edwards pulled back N'Zogbia onthe edge of the area and Gomez curled a superb free-kick into the topcorner to give the hosts the lead.[LNB]N'Zogbia, who had been the game'smost influential player, created another shooting chance for himself onthe right of the area but could not get enough power on his effort totrouble Hahnemann.[LNB]Di Santo then nearly caught out theAmerican with a superb dipping volley from 25 yards out, Hahnemann justmanaging to palm the ball behind for a corner.[LNB] Crunch time: Karl Henry flies in on Wigan's Jordi Gomez[LNB] [LNB]Mick McCarthy went for broke witheight minutes to go, bringing on strike duo Sylvan Ebanks-Blake andMarcus Bent for Edwards and Stephen Ward, but it was Wigan who sealedvictory with a second goal five minutes from time.[LNB]N'Zogbia played a precision throughball for Rodallega, and the Colombian was able to claim the goal afterChristophe Berra guided an attempted clearance onto his foot and beyondHahnemann. [LNB]It was the first time Wigan hadmanaged two goals in a league game this season, and it was more thanenough to secure a precious three points.[LNB] Wigan v Wolves: As it happenedBayern Munich ready to move for £9m unsettled Wigan winger N'ZogbiaWIGAN ATHLETIC FC
