The Latics
suffered their fifth defeat of the season, as they were unable to pull off a
late comeback against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.
Spanish duo
Pablo Hernandez and Miguel Michu struck the decisive blows within a crushing two
minute spell. Despite a wonder goal from Emmerson Boyce, the
Latics returned to the North West empty handed.
Emmerson Boyce |
The Latics
named an unchanged team from their clash with Everton two weeks ago and should
have taken the lead in a tense opening half, when Shaun Maloney’s effort was
kept out by Michel Vorm.
The opening goal of the game came when Pablo Hernandez, Swansea 's club-record signing, broke
the deadlock in the 65th minute with a low shot past Ali Al-Habsi from 18
yards.
Michu
added the crucial second for the Welsh club, with a close-range header from
Jonathan de Guzman's corner for his seventh goal of the season.
The Latics refused to lie down and were back in
the game after Emmerson Boyce's exquisite 69th-minute back-flick, but were made
to rue a contentious decision to rule out a header from Arouna Kone.
It was a decision that cost the Latics dear as
they were unable to find that decisive blow late on, with even keeper Al Habsi going close with a header in the dying moments.
Roberto Martinez |
Former Swansea boss Martinez, who was unsuccessful in his
appeal against a disciplinary charge from the FA this week, was unhappy with
yet another decision going against his side on the road:
“It was a call which didn't go our way. It was
really costly. I felt it would
have been an interesting final 10 minutes because we could have won the game.
Sometimes you want to be honest with the
referee's decision, but I have learned my lesson. I cannot really comment.
I need to accept it and give an official answer.
Sometimes the calls go your way, sometimes they don't. But I thought we
deserved a point.”
Up next for the Latics is a crucial home clash
against West Ham, which will spark many a memory of a memorable afternoon the
last time the Hammers visited the DW.
With the winter nights almost upon us, Martinez will use this week to pick
his side up following this latest set back. He will be keen to bring this winless
run to an end and give his side some breathing space above the teams currently occupying the bottom three as the league begins to take shape.
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