Rodallega double bursts Burnley bubble

BURNLEY 1
Fletcher 4

WIGAN ATHLETIC 3
Rodallega 11, 51
Boyce 76

Att 19,430

Report by Paul Chialton

A fantastic afternoon for Latics as a Hugo Rodallega (right) brace and a rare Emmerson Boyce goal ruined Burnley's 100% home record.

Despite going a goal down early on to a Stephen Fletcher strike Latics responded superbly and in the end their attitude and approach to the game rewarded them with the win.

However it was a howler from the 'beast' Brian Jensen that offered a path back into the game, as the 'keeper slipped coming out for a Mario Melchiot cross, leaving Rodallega with an open goal and a chance to notch his fourth goal of the season.

It was just deserves for Latics who responded brightly to Burnley's opener and stuck to their game-plan, with Hendry Thomas and Momo Diame slowly taking a grip on the midfield and the game.

Rodallega was in blistering form, looking so comfortable on the ball and doing his up-most to team-up with the hard-working Jason Scotland to carve out opportunities all afternoon.

The duo's efforts paid off shortly after the break when Scotland found time on the ball in the area and laid-up Rodallega to smash home from the edge of the area with the outside of his right foot. A superb finish that highlights what a great talent the Colombian is.

Things looked to get a bit tense when David Nugent made his entrance to the game and the locals began to up the volume, but the defence stood tall, even with make-shift left-back Charles N'Zogbia filling in for the injured Maynor Figueroa.

And it was one from that unit who sealed the game with 15 minutes to go.

HEADS UP: Scharner required 10 stitches

Emmerson Boyce, who has been seen regularly in the opposition area this season, got on the end of a Paul Scharner flick to volley home from six-yards and send Latics back down the M6 with all three points.

EYE ON THE BALL: Boycey makes sure of Latics third.

A good day at the office then for the gaffer and three big points that his team thoroughly deserved.

Latics: Kirkland; Melchiot, Bramble, Boyce, Figueroa (Gomez 28), Diame, Thomas; N'Zogbia, Scharner (King 76), Rodallega; Scotland
Subs: Pollitt, Cho, Koumas, Sinclair, Kapo.

Burnley: Jensen (Penny 13), Alexander, Carlisle, Caldwell, Fletcher, Elliott, Mears, Blake (Nugent 67), Bikey (McDonald 80), Jordan, Eagles
Subs: Duff, McDonald, Gudjonsson, Thompson, Guerrero