Ten-men City hang-on to claim win over Wigan

MANCHESTER CITY 1
Zabaleta, 53
WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

Report by Paul Chialton

Latics huffed and puffed but were just unable to pull back an equaliser at Eastlands, after Pablo Zabaleta had put the home side 1-0 up ten minutes into the second-half.

Steve Bruce's men provided a number of heart-stopping moments, including Amr Zaki's header at an open goal ten minutes before the finish. Lee Cattermole's challenge on the edge of the area deflected off the bar and into the path of the Egyptian, who was unable to convert the chance.

Latics' leading goal-scorer left the pitch dejected at full-time after missing the opportunity to grab a late goal. His efforts won't go unnoticed however, chasing down the defence all afternoon and charging through on a number of occasions, showing real grit and determination.

His challenge on Richard Dunne shortly after Zabaleta's goal prompted a reaction from the defender who, after being kept busy all game, blatantly kicked out at the striker and rightly received his marching orders.

From there on it was all Wigan who, with the extra man, bombarded the City goal for the rest of the game, chasing that elusive goal and were unlucky not to get something from such a highly charged game.

Although the travelling 2,200 Latics fans will go home disappointed not to get a point, they were magnificent today, willing the team on and vocal throughout, easily out-voicing the home-crowd on numerous occasions.

But having already played twice in the last six days Latics were understandably fatigued going into the game, and City's pressure finally paid-off when Paul Scharner's clearance from a Robinho cross landed to Zabaleta just outside the area.

The Argentine calmly controlled the ball and struck into the right-hand corner to win all three points for the home side. On the whole, City's extra fitness was a big help against Latics who were playing their third game in six days, but battled until the very end to again make their opponents work hard to gain any kind advantage over them.

Latics: Kirkland; Melchiot, Bramble (Camara, 87) Scharner, Figueroa (Kapo, 74); Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Taylor (de Ridder, 59); Heskey, Zaki
Subs: Kingson, Boyce, Edman, Brown,
Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Richards, Dunne, Onuoha, Bridge; Elano, Kompany, Robinho, Wright-Phillips; Sturridge (Garrido, 62)
Subs: Schmeichel, Weiss, Fernandes, Jo, Vassell, Caicedo