Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham - Match Report

08 November 2009 19:42
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham

Mark Schwarzer lived up to his reputation as one of the Premier League's top goalkeepers with a series of excellent saves as Wigan Athletic had to settle for a point from a game they were tipped to win.

And for Latics defenders Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble, it was an afternoon of contrasting fortunes - Boyce getting his second goal in three games and Bramble giving away a penalty which led to Clint Dempsey's equaliser.

Roberto Martinez gave fit-again Sweden international Erik Edman his first Premier League start for 20 months as a replacement for the injured Maynor Figueroa, allowing Charles N'Zogbia to revert to his usual role on the right.

Fulham, beaten by AS Roma in the Europa League in midweek, were boosted by the return of Damian Duff.

The visitors created the first chance when Bobby Zamora set up Erik Nevland who had a free header but saw it come back off the inside of the post.

It was a real let-off for Wigan and it proved a costly miss for Fulham as the Latics took the lead two minutes later.

Hugo Rodallega provided the cross, and Paul Scharner headed it on perfectly for Boyce to supply the finish.

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Wigan almost made it 2-0 when N'Zogbia unleashed a ferocious dipping shot from long range but Schwarzer did well to touch it onto the bar.

Schwarzer prevented more damage diving to his left to keep one out from Rodallega and the Colombian also saw a free-kick deflected off target.

Scharner went close with a header before Fulham equalised against the run of play. Dempsey went down under Bramble's challenge and referee Phil Dowd had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

The USA international brushed himself down before sending Chris Kirkland the wrong way to make it 1-1.

In a lively second half, Dempsey tested Kirkland with a free-kick but the Wigan keeper showed his quality too as he kept out the follow-up from Jonathan Greening, and later saved a stinging shot from Duff.

But Schwarzer was the busier keeper producing a string of saves to deny Scharner, Hendry Thomas and N'Zogbia while Wigan also had a penalty appeal against Chris Baird for handball turned down.

Wigan Athletic v Fulham: As it happened

Source: DSG