WIGAN ATHLETIC..............1
Taylor 39

NEWCASTLE UNITED......0
Sibierski missed pen 29

A penalty miss for the visitors and a fantastically taken free-kick by Ryan Taylor were the highlights of an otherwise rather scrappy, but entertaining encounter at the JJB Stadium.

Just before the half-hour, Antoine Sibierski fell inside the penalty box whilst under pressure from Ryan Taylor, and Alan Wiley immediately pointed to the spot. Many Latics fans voice their displeasure at the Frenchman at what possibly looked like simulation. But soon the JJB Stadium was in a buoyant mood as Nolberto Solano struckthe penalty towards Filan's right hand post, but the Aussie brilliantly guessed the right way and palmed the ball away!

But ten minutes later, Latics were celebrating again, thanks to goal of first class technique by Ryan Taylor. The former Tranmere man saw his twenty-yard free-kick curled into the far post beyond the reach of Shay Given. It was a goal that even David Beckham would have been proud of for sure.

Apart from that, Wigan's main threat came from Lee McCulloch who had two chances in the first half.

Before that point, John Filan made two other crucial saves. Obafemi Martins burst into the box and laid the ball off to Damien Duff, whose close range shot was forced John Filan into a brilliant reflex save to deny the Irishman, and just a few minutes later Martins saw his fiercely struck volley parried by the Latics 'keeper.

In the 26th minute, Matt Jackson's ball into the box was held up by Emile Heskey, who turned and laid it off to McCulloch, but it was blasted over the bar. The Scot might have doubled the lead just a minute after Taylor's goal when he weaved his way past two markers and struck from twenty yards, but Shay Given reached up and caught the ball.

McCulloch had just enough time before the break to see his bullet header from Taylor's corner parried away by Given as Newcastle held on for half-time.

Paul Jewell decided to continue with the Heskey and Folan partnership, although the former was replaced by Kevin Kilbane due to injury. Folan was always a thorn in Newcastle's side with his physical presence and later formed a partnership with Henri Camara who came on as a substitute in the second half. In defence, both Taylor and Boyce looked solid and confident.

In the second half, Latics contained Newcastle well, and at times looked dangerous on the counter attack. There were not too many chances for either side but Newcastle looked lacklustre in second half, perhaps from tiredness after their European exploits on Thursday night.

In the 54th minute Kevin Kilbane provided a teasing cross to Folan, but the huge striker just couldn't reach it, although Given still had to palm it out for corner.

The Camara and Folan partnership looked like producing the goods with eight minutes remaining when the Senegal striker crossed from the right for the former Chesterfield man, although once he controlled the ball he dragged his shot wide.

Camara almost sealed the win in the last minute when his half-volley richoched off the turf and almost caught Given off guard, but the Irish 'keeper did well to claw the ball away to safety.

The visitors from Tyneside had a couple of clear opportunities themselves half way through the first period, but apart from that hardly threatened Filan.

Half way through the first half, Obafemi Martins burst into the box and laid the ball off to Damien Duff, whose close range shot forced Filan into a brilliant reflex save to deny the Irishman, and two minutes later, Martins' fiercely shot volley was well saved by the Latics shot stopper.

Filan then had to wait until the remaining four minutes before making a meaningful save when he had to catch substitute Andrew Carroll's drive.

This was another hard earned win, which will, of course, help Latics no end to push up the table. However, the only disappointment of the afternoon was the fact referee Alan Wiley booked no less than six Latics players for very minor offences.

Latics: Filan; Taylor, Boyce, Jackson (c), Baines; Valencia (Camara 60), Skoko, Landzaat, McCulloch; Folan, Heskey (Kilbane 37).

Substitutes: Nash, Unsworth, Camara, Cotterill.

Booked: Baines, Filan, Taylor, Skoko, McCulloch, Camara.

Newcastle United: Given; Taylor, Bramble, Huntington (Carroll 86), Onyewu; Solano (Milner 60), Sibierski, Parker (c), Butt, Duff (N'Zogbia 60); Martins.

Substitutes: Harper, Edgar.

Booked: Parker, Butt.

Referee: Alan Wiley