Latics hold Cats to stalemate
SUNDERLAND battled back for a share of the spoils against Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light.
Steve Bruce's men were held to their second home draw in five days, much to the disappointment of the home support.
The Black Cats left the field to a crescendo of boos at both half and full-time, the red and white faithful making it
clear that this was a game were they expected a maximum return.
That they even managed a point against the Latics was down to Kenwyne Jones.
The Trinidad and Tobago frontman levelled on 64 minutes to cancel out Mohamed Diame's 19th minute strike for Wigan.
The hosts could have gone in front as early as the ninth minute, but Darren Bent's tame shot was comfortably gathered by
Chris Kirkland in the away goal.
After that though it was the visitors who went on the front foot, Sunderland target Maynor Figueroa tried his luck from
distance on 17 minutes - the ball just clearing the bar.
Two minutes later Wigan found the target. Lorik Cana gave away possession just outside his own 18-yard area and the ball
broke to Diame inside the area.
The Frenchman rifled home an unstoppable shot to give Craig Gordon no chance in the Sunderland goal.
Sunderland showed no early signs of getting back into the game, the Wearsiders lacking any sort of spark or cutting edge
for most of the first half, although Jones was unlucky when his shot was deflected on to the post on the half hour mark.
To be fair to the hosts, they showed far more purpose after the break.
However, it wasn't enough to secure a much-needed victory.
Wigan should have gone two goals to the good on the hour mark, but Gordon was quick of his line to deny James McCarthy.
That would probably have been game over for the Wearsiders, but moments later they were back in contention.
Jordan Henderson crossed for Jones to get up and power home a header.
That was to be Henderson's last real involvement as minutes later he was strechered from the field with what looked like a
bad ankle inury.
The delayed restart meant seven minutes of added time at the end of the 90, but even that wasn't enough time for the hosts
to grab a winner.
They did, however, chances to secure all three points, Michael Turner glancing a header wide and right at the death Bent's
shot was blocked on the line by team-mate Jones, who was lying on the turf after a collision with Kirkland.
Roberto Martinez will have pleased with a good away point for his side, while Bruce must be wondering if and when his
outfit will get their next win.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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