Unlucky Wigan lose at Stadium of Light

Latics were unlucky to come away from the Stadium of Light with no points after the Black Cats went ahead just before half-time against the run of the play, and then a stunning thirty-yard drive in the second half confirmed the defeat.

Sunderland took the lead three minutes before the break after they were given a controversial free-kick after Michael Brown was harshly adjudged to have conceded a free-kick by fouling Phil Bardsley. Dean Whitehead's free-kick went over the defensive wall where Dickson Ethuhu headed home.

Latics were desperately unlucky as they hit the woodwork twice but Roy Keane's men confirmed the result as Darryl Murphy's unstoppable thirty-yard shot into the top corner left Chris Kirkland with no chance.

Steve Bruce's men had started the second half like fireworks as Kevin Kilbane's twenty yard shot smacked the post, and five minutes later saw substitute Jason Koumas' cross headed against the bar by Emile Heskey. You got the impression that lady luck was not going to shine on Wigan this afternoon.

Wigan had weathered early pressure from the hosts but they gradually eased into their own tempo. Heskey was passed fit to start and he linked up with Marlon King and his first shot after four minutes went over the bar. The big striker also saw another shot go close just prior to Sunderland's opener as he got on the end of Ryan Taylor before being replaced by Marcus Bent half way through the second half.

Paul Scharner almost stunned Sunderland as his long distance volley went wide of the post and a Wilson Palacios' drive also dipped over the bar from long range.

Mario Melchiot was replaced at half-time by Koumas and Ryan Taylor moved from his left-flank position into right-back, and was soon substituted for Salamon Olembe soon after.

After being a goal down Latics looked for an important equaliser and they certainly came close several times as King saw a shot punched away by goalkeeper Craig Gordon, and Brown had a shot blocked on the line by Whitehead before Kilbane hit the post.

Even though Sunderland doubled their lead in the 75th minute, Latics didn't let their heads drop and Koumas' cross found the head of Scharner who directed the ball towards the far post but substitute Bent couldn't get to the end of it. Olembe tried his luck with twenty minutes to go but his effort went over the bar too.

Sunderland kept a clean sheet with some impressive saves Scottish international Gordon as he denied Latics three more times. Emmerson Boyce's overhead kick was caught by the former Hearts man before he made a superb one handed save from King. Koumas continued to impress with his deliveries as his cross found Kilbane at the far post, but the Irishman's header was tipped over the post by the goalkeeper.

The hosts had started well early in the match as Roy O'Donovan headed over the bar within minutes of the start, although the Irishman was replaced by Rade Prica after 26 minutes. Kenwyne Jones' headed wide of the target whilst Bardsley's shot from outside the box also went wide.

But the result was unjust for Latics who had far more shots on target than their Wearside hosts and Steve Bruce must wonder just how his team didn't at least get a point. 

LATICS: Kirkland; Melchiot (c) (Koumas 46), Scharner, Boyce, Kilbane; Valencia, Palacios, Brown, Taylor (Olembe 56); Heskey (Bent 68), King.

SUBS: Pollitt, Granqvist.

BOOKED: Valencia.

SUNDERLAND: Gordon; Bardsley, Evans, Nosworthy, Collins; O'Donovan (Prica 26), Etuhu (Leadbitter 84), Whitehead, Murphy (Reid 74); Chopra, Jones.

SUBS: Fulop, McShane, Reid.

GOALS: Etuhu 43, Murphy 74

REFEREE: Mike Dean (Wirral)

ATTENDANCE: 43,600