Latics 2-2 Everton – Latics Denied by Late Penalty

The Latics were pegged back twice, as they had to make do with a share of the points, in an entertaining encounter on Saturday afternoon.

Fans will have left the DW stadium wondering what might have been, despite having witnessed the teams strongest performance of the season, the search for the first home victory of the campaign goes on.

Franco Di Santo

Roberto Martinez decided to field Franco Di Santo in his starting XI, replacing Jordi Gomez, and his side put in a dominant display in a cracking opening half.

The opening goal came as a result of fantastic work from Shaun Maloney who was back to his imperious best and was at the heart of everything going forward. After beating Seamus Coleman his cross was met by Arouna Kone who managed to beat Tim Howard from an acute angle.

No sooner had the play re started the visitors had levelled up with their first move forward. Nikica Jelavic was on the end of Steven Pienaar’s attempted shot showed why he is regarded as one the deadliest finishers around.

Despite the set back the Latics refused to get down and continued to dominate for large periods of the first half and re took the lead thanks to some fantastic work from the tremendous Kone.

His raw pace did for Johnny Heitinga as he latched onto Gary Caldwell’s pinpoint long ball and despite looking as if he was going no where, was able to square the ball back for Di Santo to smash home.

The Argentine almost added a third, moments later, as his smart attempt was kept out by Tim Howard.

Ali Al Habsi was on hand to ensure that the Latics headed into the break ahead, and they begun the second half on the front foot.

Shaun Maloney

There was a lot of needle in the middle of park as both midfields looked to impose themselves on the game. The referee Kevin Friend did not allow for the game to flow and was unable to stamp his authority on the game with a number of strange decisions.

As the game wore on the Latics invited the visitors onto them and were reliant on hitting them on the counter. Unfortunately they were made to pay for this with only five minutes to play, as Maynor Figueroa brought down Kevin Mirallas.

Former Latic Leighton Baines emphatically beat Al Habsi from the spot to secure a share of the spoils for his team.

But the Latics’ could well have secured all three points late on as Kone and Maloney linked up once again, with the Scottish international’s strike taking a deflection just over the cross bar.

Despite the feeling of having dropped two points it was certainly an encouraging performance from Martinez’s men as they more than matched one of the form teams of the early season.

Up next is a trip to South Wales after the international break and Martinez will be keen to see his international’s return without any injuries, as he prepares his side for a crucial run. 

Latics v Everton - Preview

Wigan look to secure their first home victory of the season on Saturday as they welcome in form Everton to the DW Stadium.

The Latics will have Jordi Gomez available after his red card in last week’s defeat to Sunderland was rescinded on appeal, although the return of Antolin Alcarez from injury is unlikely with the away trip to Swansea more of a realistic target.

Jordi Gomez

Manager Roberto Martinez will be keen to secure what would only be his side’s second victory of the season and ease some of the early season pressure, which has seen confidence slide after an encouraging start.

As for the visitors they have started the season on fire and are currently in second place, which is their best ever start to a Premier League campaign. The start has left many wondering if the Blues can genuinely push for a Champions League place next season.

This will be a real test for Martinez who himself is keen to put a few weeks of bad press behind him, speaking on Friday he explained he is happy to move on: "It would be all too easy for me to be bitter and say that, from now on, I won't speak after the game. That would be wrong, because I would be going against the fans and my Wigan Athletic fans, who deserve to know the view that I have on the game. What's important - and I learnt this very, very early - is never question the integrity of a referee or a human being who is trying to do their best."

The Latics will look to end a run of seven games since they last beat David Moyes’ team, but Everton haven’t had it all their own way with three of the last four games ending in draws.

All good run must come to an end at some point and many will have this game down as a win for the visitors but Martinez will be confident that his side can bounce back from recent defeats and make it an uncomfortable afternoon for the Blues and secure victory in the process.

David Moyes - Everton boss celebrates 10 years at the helm

Recently lauded by the great Sir Alex Ferguson it is fair to say that, despite not winning any trophies the job done at Everton by David Moyes is nothing short of remarkable. He deserves the plaudits coming his way this week as he celebrates ten years in charge of the blue half of Merseyside.

Tim Cahill & David Moyes

When he joined back in the spring of 2002 his appointment was met by many of Gladys Street faithful with scepticism. The decision from Bill Kenwright to blood a young rookie manager in the place of the hugely experienced Walter Smith was a bold move and looking back now was perhaps the best decision ever made by the owner.

At the time they were a club going nowhere fast. Moyes joined a dressing room that was on its last legs and seemingly heading out of the league. He swiftly moved the likes of Paul Gascoigne and David Ginola out and focussed on bringing in youth with Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert being the first to be blooded in.

His focus from an early stage was on youth and he has given opportunities to a number of youth starts including Wayne Rooney. Today he has Jack Rodwell who is attracting interest from a number of big clubs and has Ross Barkley knocking on the door for a first team slot.

Year on year he has produced teams who play with pride and passion. Osman and Hibbert are prime examples players who technically are not the greatest who have ever worn the shirt but can be relied upon to a job and do it very well.

He has worked the transfer market very well bringing in the likes of Joleon Lescott, Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar in and selling them on for huge profit. He has done very well to keep hold of Phil Jagielka and Tim Cahill who were brought in from the Championship and have blossomed into top players and are the heartbeat of the club.

Phil Jagielka

His financial control over the years would surely make him an attractive proposition for any club, as the financial fair play rules are set to kick in over the next couple of seasons. With Sir Alex taking note of his due diligence in the market: “David has had to contend with not having a strong financial structure.”

The January transfer window saw plenty of action with Darron Gibson and the return of Pienaar bolstering the numbers. The signing of Nikica Jelavic from Rangers looks an excellent bit of business with the Croat scoring the winner on his full debut against Tottenham over the weekend.

The decision to move Louis Saha on will have perhaps raised a few eyebrows but, put simply the former Manchester United man does not fit into Moyes’ ethos he was also a big earner and his sale balanced the books.

The recent run of results see Everton go into a big week in good form. A win in the Derby on Tuesday could see them overhaul their neighbours in the league and then they face Sunderland in the cup on the weekend with a place at Wembley on offer.

Over the years it would have been easy for Moyes to walk away he has had many suitors. Many thought the sale of Arteta to Arsenal back in August would have perhaps seen him turn his back on the club. He held firm and any move from Goodison would be well thought out as he has fallen in love with the ‘People’s Club.’

Cup success this season would be truly deserved having come so close in 2009 when his side fell just short at the hands of Chelsea.

Sir Alex Ferguson & David Moyes

At the age of 48 he is relatively young and has plenty more to offer the game and will go onto achieve much more, Evertonian’s will hope it comes with their club.

Sir Alex Ferguson will have a huge say in who comes into replace him when he finally calls it a day. Following his praise of his fellow Glaswegian over the recent months, who would be surprised if Moyes moved over Old Trafford? No one will more deserving of a shot at the big time than Moyes and he would without a doubt make it work. 

Gibson Deal could spell Trouble for Everton

As Darron Gibson sealed his move from Manchester United to Everton on Friday, despite the needed addition, many believe that the exodus of top players from Goodison Park is set to continue come the summer. 

Paul Scholes’ return from retirement last Sunday in the FA Cup victory over their rivals, was the final nail in the coffin for Darron Gibson’s career at Old Trafford.

It was clear that Gibson needed to make the move in order to play football on a regular basis. For much of this season despite a string of injuries to the squad, he has been limited to cameos and cup appearances and was most recently captain of the reserves in front of 500 people in Altrincham.

Darron Gibson

This is a very good move for Gibson, as he will get a lot more game time and in doing so will secure his place in the Irish squad for the European Championships come June.

A lot has been made of the return of Scholes, many people have suggested that there is no money to spend, but realistically except for the 2006 window United have not done any significant business in January.

Sir Alex has been a long term admirer of Everton youngster Jack Rodwell who many believe is destined to follow in the footsteps of Wayne Rooney and make to switch to Manchester.

As with the vast majority of big deals they are done and planned months in advance and you get the feeling that this one is almost nailed on. Another six month’s playing time will allow him to continue in his development.

A full pre-season for Rodwell with United next summer will give him the chance to bed in which will be crucial if he is to hit the ground running.

If he was to join now the pressure on him to go in and deliver from the off would perhaps be too much. He is potential arrival would be a plan for the next ten years, and for now, Scholes is a perfect to come in and do more than just a job.

Jack Rodwell

Unfortunately for David Moyes his hands are tied behind his back. The club cannot say no to a ‘big offer’ and they are unable to invest it all back into the squad. Gibson now adds some much needed cover to the most depleted squads in the league.

Without any investment on or off the field Everton are not going to progress and there is only so much that Moyes can do. For over a decade now, he has continually found players who buy into his ethos of playing for the team and pulling together as one. This was typified in their qualification for the Champions League in 2005.

Speaking to a number of Evertonian’s today the feeling is that they are set to lose yet another of their brightest young stars. Worryingly they have the best left back in the country in Leighton Baines and he is sure to be topping the list of a number of clubs come the summer.

The fans have now started to make their voices heard with a number of protests and the overall feeling within Goodison Park, is that Bill Kenwright needs to go. Investment is needed sooner rather than later because one the greatest clubs in the world game will be in a serious mess very soon. 

City go Clear as United are left stunned

An interesting final round of festive fixtures took place this week and there was plenty of entertainment on show right across the board.

For many the game of the week was expected to be at the Etihad, but in fact it turned out to be at a windswept Sports Direct Arena as it played host to a cracker.

I will start with Monday’s action and the game of the day was the evening encounter at Craven Cottage, where Arsenal imploded in a disastrous final twenty minutes and Arsene Wenger blamed everyone but his team.

Bobby Zamora 

A questionable decision from Lee Probert saw Johan Djourou pick up a second yellow card and from then there was only going to be one winner and a fired up and seemingly reborn Bobby Zamora duly delivered in added on time.

There were crucial away wins for both Swansea and Norwich and a Peter Crouch inspired Stoke stalled the Blackburn charge. Elsewhere Frank Lampard scored a crucial winner for Chelsea as they look to keep up with the chase for fourth.

As we moved on to Tuesday’s action and to the home of the league leaders, despite having much of the possession once Stewart Downing missed his early chance Liverpool looked flat and unimpressive.

City were not easy on the eye but after the hammer blow they received on Sunday, the performance and their lethal touch when it mattered was impressive. Vincent Kompany was immense and he is going to be crucial in the run in, as there are not too many quality centre half’s around at the minute.

Despite the ineffectiveness of Edin Dzeko yet again his team mates rallied and ensured that Roberto Mancini’s men came through their toughest test of their mental strength so far this season.

Tottenham’s impressive form continued as they finally broke down a stubborn West Brom at the Lane in a tight win. Martin O’Neil’s Midas touch continued as the smashed a poor Wigan with Stephane Sessegnon again running havoc.

Perhaps the most entertaining set of games were saved for Wednesday as Wayne Rooney returned to a United team looking to go back level on top at Newcastle. Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabeye dominated a woeful United midfield and the irresistible Demba Ba was unplayable all night.

Demba Ba and Alan Pardew

Rio Ferdinand looked exposed and behind the pace well before Ba’s wonderful opener, who is for me, the signing of the season and plenty of sides will be kicking themselves for missing out on him. I believe United will have to strengthen in the transfer window, but can they really challenge with the big boys in the market any more?

Finally to round up a great start to 2012, a weird, yet wonderful goal from Everton’s goalkeeper Tim Howard was not enough to deny Bolton as they picked up a crucial three points after a great second half fight back.

The league now takes a break to make way for the FA Cup and on Wednesday Tottenham entertain Everton as they finally play their delayed game from the opening weekend of the season due to the London riots.