Wigan Athletic Football Club News

• Nickname:Latics
• Founded:1932
• Manager:Roberto Martinez

• Ground:JJB Stadium
• Capacity:25,000

Martinez hails Latics show

27 Sep 2009 - 10:40:22

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Roberto Martinez hailed the bravery of his Wigan Athletic side after they ended a dismal record against the Premier League's leading teams by beating Chelsea 3-1 at the DW Stadium.

It was the Latics' 35th attempt to take a prize scalp and the perfect way to bounce back after last week's 4-0 hammering by Arsenal.

Titus Bramble had fired them ahead before Didier Drogba restored parity early in the second half.

But once Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech had been sent off for a professional foul, Hugo Rodallega drilled the resulting spot-kick past replacement Hilario and Paul Scharner added a third goal in stoppage time.

"When you are Wigan and playing against the top four you have options - you can be brave and beat them or you can get hammered," said Martinez.

"That is what happened. We were beaten 4-0 and 5-0 (by Arsenal and Manchester United) and today the only reason we won is because we learned our lessons.

"We have been brave from the first moment and no-one can say we did not deserve the win. That is a big compliment to our club.

"This is for the fans, who have been with us through the bad times and supported us all well.

"The great thing from my point of view was our reaction to conceding a goal. We continued to be positive."