Wigan 3-2 Wolves - Boyce Double Rounds Off Memorable Season

A memorable double from club legend Emmerson Boyce ensured the Latics signed off the season in great style, in front a full house on Sunday afternoon.

The result sees Roberto Martinez’s men finish off in 15^th place, after an incredible run, saw them pick up seven wins from their final nine games.

Franco Di Santo & Hugo Rodallega

Already relegated Wolves looked to dampen the party atmosphere when they took the lead through winger Matt Jarvis, whose terrific effort left Ali Al Habsi with no chance, after only nine minutes.

The Latics were not behind for long and soon levelled up, when Argentine striker Franco Di Santo’s deflected left the visiting keeper flat footed. Moments later Boyce’s fine header put the home side ahead, from a Jean Beasejour corner.

Boyce sealed the points late into the second half, with a stunning strike after great link up play with Hugo Rodallega, who is set to leave the club.

Dave Whelan & Ali Al Habsi

Steven Fletcher’s late goal took some of the gloss off the day, after a defensive mix up, again gave Al Habsi no chance.

The game had very much a feel of an end of season affair, but few inside the DW would complain; only eight weeks ago the club looked doomed and set for a return to the football league.

The day was very much about the fans and a full house ensured a great atmosphere and Martinez made only one change. Adrian Lopez was given a rare outing alongside player of the season Gary Caldwell, and despite his late error looked assured.

To have finished five points ahead of Aston Villa, a founding member of the Premier League is an incredible achievement, and shows that Martinez was right to stick with the Latics.

The Players Celebrate 

As always, there is sure to be much change over the course of the summer period, with Rodallega, Chris Kirkland, Steve Gohouri and Mohammed Diame all confirmed as being released.

There is also plenty of interest around other members of the squad as well as the staff, with Aston Villa confirming their interest once again in Martinez this evening.

Regardless of what happens over the next couple of months, the Latics will be taking part in their eighth consecutive season in the top flight and the future is looking very, very good. 

Fulham v Wigan - Preview

The Latics head to the capital for the second time this week in search of their third consecutive victory, in their latest great escape act.

Following their memorable victory at the Emirates on Monday evening, Roberto Martinez’s men find themselves five points clear of the drop, with just four games left to play.

Hugo Rodallega

If the excellent run of form is to continue, they will need to end a terrible run of results against Fulham. Wigan have failed to win in any of the last ten encounters against the Londoners, and have only beaten then twice in their top flight history.

Martinez will be confident his side can once again overcome the odds, and he welcomes back striker Hugo Rodallega to his match squad, for the first time in six weeks. Shaun Maloney who missed the Monday night’s clash at the Emirates, faces a late fitness test, and Spaniard Albert Crusat is definitely sidelined.

As for the hosts, their forward line options have been bolstered with the return of former England international Andy Johnson and Russian hotshot Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Heading into their penultimate away trip of the season the Latics can be confident of avoiding the drop, and continuing their impressive run.

Having kept faith in his side and his playing style, Martinez must be delighted with his side.  Despite the run fans can be rest assured that his side remain focussed for the remainder of the run in.

The mentality he has instilled in his side has been at the forefront of their incredible recent run of results. The emergence of the likes of Victor Moses and Shaun Maloney has added a much needed spark to the forward line.

Emmerson Boyce

His decision to play with three at the back has proved to a masterstroke, with Gary Caldwell leading from the back.

Unlike seasons before the Latics are in the position now of having their destiny in their own hands, two wins from their final four games will see them hit the magic forty point mark. Everyone at the club will been keen to ensure that survival can be secured as soon as possible, starting with three points on Saturday.

Awful Decisions End Run

Wigan’s recent unbeaten run came to a cruel end at Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, as they were denied right at the death in controversial circumstances.

The Blues stole all three points deep into added on time when Juan Mata bundled the ball home from an offside position, following up on Fernando Torres’ strike.

Gary Caldwell 

Justice seemed to have been done when sub Mohammed Diame’s great solo strike levelled things up after Chelsea’s contentious opener.

Branislav Ivanovic put the home side ahead, just after the hour mark, much to the disbelief of the away team. Three Chelsea players were offside when Raul Meireles flouted a pass into the box for the Serbian international Ivanovic to score.

Despite the protests lead by Captain Gary Caldwell referee Mike Jones upheld his original decision.

Roberto Martinez who is the nicest man in the game did not hold back at full time, when he spoke to the press: “The linesman had a disgusting performance in my eyes. They aren’t even difficult decisions. Both goals are clearly offside. Everyone says football can be cruel but from our point of view, that’s as bad as it can get.”

Martinez kept faith in the same XI that had picked up back to back wins over recent weeks, and his side dictated much of the game.

Despite having much of the possession chances, once again, were at a premium and the Latics had to rely on keeper Ali Al Habsi who was called upon on a number of occasions. The Oman international put in an outstanding display to keep the Chelsea front line at bay.

Victor Moses continued with his impressive recent form, and was a constant threat all afternoon. He worked effectively alongside former Chelsea man Franco Di Santo and they both ensured the home sides backline were kept on their toes throughout.

Towards the end of the game Caldwell had a great chance to be the hero once again on the road, but wasted his chance after a barnstorming run.

Within seconds Mata’s late strike ensured that the Latics would leave London empty handed once again, and leave Latics fans wondering how they did not pick up anything from the game.

Ali Al Habsi & Gary Caldwell

With two more visits to the capital to come in the run, they have to improve on their recent record. Since their 1-0 victory against Tottenham in August 2010, they have lost every encounter down South since.

Results elsewhere on Saturday were very kind. Bolton and Blackburn both lost 3-0 and Wolves remain cut adrift at the bottom following their narrow defeat at Stoke.

They will take a lot of pride from the game and despite the defeat, Martinez and his backroom staff, will be keen to ensure that they continue with their recent performances against Manchester United on Wednesday.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Essien (Mikel 73), Mata, Drogba, Malouda (Torres 59), Meireles, Sturridge (Kalou 82), Cahill, Bertrand
Unused Subs: Turnbull, Romeu, Bosingwa, Ferreira

Wigan: Al Habsi, Alcaraz, McCarthy, Figueroa, Caldwell, Di Santo (Sammon 79), Maloney, Moses, McArthur (Watson 70), Boyce, Beausejour (Diame 70)
Subs: Kirkland, Crusat, Gomez, Stam

Attendance: 40,651