The Latics produced a breathtaking performance on Saturday
afternoon, to move three points clear of the drop zone.
Four first half goals were enough to see off the inform
Geordies who were simply outplayed and outclassed, on what was by far the best
display of the season from Roberto Martinez. Many will consider this perhaps
the greatest performance in the club’s Premier League history.
Victor Moses makes way for Jordi Gomez |
Within fifteen minutes the Latics were ahead, a fantastic
cross from Emerson Boyce was met by reported want away man Victor Moses, who
from a standing start beat Mike Williamson.
Two minutes later the lead was doubled, PFA Team of the Year
member Fabricio Coloccini had a afternoon to forget, as he made a hash of
clearing Jean Beausejeour’s cross and Moses coolly dispatched emphatically.
The visitors were not given a moment’s peace as the Latics
continued to press with the midfield duo of James McCarthy and James McArthur
winning the midfield battle against the highly rated Cheick Tiote and Yohan
Cabeye.
Roberto Martinez |
The third goal came as result of the some wonderful precise
and clever movement and play involving McCarthy, Beausejour, Maloney and Franco
Di Santo. Who played a delightful angled first time ball into the Scottish
international, Maloney who finished off from an acute angle past Tim Krul.
The former Chelsea
man Di Santo got himself on the scoresheet with a contender for goal of the
season. He battled in the heart of the midfield to win the ball and took his
time to delightfully chip the despairing Krul to cap off a simply wonderful
first half, which will live long in the memory.
The second half was about ensuring that the Latics preserved
their lead as goal difference could well prove to be a crucial factor in the
next couple of weeks. Di Santo and Maynor Figueroa linked up well and nearly
made it five, and some smart stops from Krul ensured that the score was kept
down.
The much talked about Newcaslte frontline finally sparked
into action in the second half but were unable to find that killer touch.
Papiss Cisse striking the woodwork twice and Ali Al Habsi denied him when he
was through on goal.
Franco Di Santo |
Hatem Ben Afra was a threat in the second half but
ultimately was left frustrated as he went close on a couple of occassions but was kept quiet for the majority of the afternoon.
Substitute Conor Sammon was unlucky not to get amongst the
goals as he raced through on goal in the final stages, but was denied by
Collocini’s last ditch challenge.
Speaking after the game Martinez
expressed his delight: “We played really well, and today we had that belief,
that arrogance in the last third and the finishing was outstanding.
This month has been the biggest month, the biggest football
statement by our football club in our history, playing against Manchester
United, Arsenal and Newcastle, this
is for everyone to pleased with the performances we have put in.”
The Spaniard will do everything in these final weeks to
ensure that all of their hard work doesn’t go to waste and is prepared for the
last push: “There is huge work still to be done our aim is to stay in the
league, the reality is that we haven’t got enough points, we have two more big
games, two cup finals to come, but today is a day to enjoy the result and then get
ready for Blackburn next week.”
In what was a delightful display, by far the best of the
season at the DW, which is just reward for the long suffering fans who have
stuck with their team through thick and thin, including a run of 8 straight defeats. At
times they were unplayable and on their day as proven of the last few weeks
they can beat anyone in the league.
They will be keen to build on the feel good factor following
this result, which now sees them move to 37 points and will act as a real
catalyst heading into the Blackburn game and then finishing at home to Wolves
on the final day of the season.
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