It took Newcastle 86 mins to finally breakthrough a stubborn defensive display from Wigan, in which Newcastle missed chance after chance but their persistence was dully paid with a fine goal from Michael Owen who looked as sharp as I have seen him when he has played. This was Newcastle's first premier league goal since Nobby Solano's winner against Liverpool in early February. Newcastle dominated play from the opening whistle with Big Sam surprisingly playing Owen from the start and thus dropping the much 'criticised' 4-3-3 system to a 4-4-2 and it paid off with good performance not seen for a good while.
Newcastle's first chance fell to Owen who beat Wigan's offside trap after a flick on from Viduka who then raced away and brought an excellent save from Chris Kirkland. Then Owen had the ball in the back of the net after a James Milner shot hit Viduka straight into Owen who put it away into an empty net only for the offside flag to go up, but replays showed both Viduka and Owen were onside throughout, the first of many bad decisions by the officials. Wigan's only threat all game came from a free-kick which was well saved by Steve Harper who remained in goal despite Shay back to full fitness. Then Titus was up to his old tricks when controlling the ball with his arm which was a certain penalty, another bad decision for Steve Bennett. Owen then missed another great chance after a slip from a Wigan defender but his chip over Kirkland was way off target, then the last main chance of the half came from Steven Taylor whose brilliant header bounced right back off the bar with Kirkland beaten.
The second half was less than 1 min gone, when the dirty mackem Kevin 'Zindine' Kilbane was given a 2nd yellow card, it was very harsh, but two bad decisions were given against Newcastle 1st half. This made the game harder with Newcastle, with big Sibs being sacrificed and going off to a tremendous reception by the Newcastle fans and deservedly. Wigan put their 9 outfield players behind the ball and it frustrated Newcastle with them having larger periods of possession in Wigan's half but lacking a killer final ball. Shola who came on for Viduka who has an ankle injury broke behind Wigan's back four but shot wide. Then Nicky Butt broke through but only to blaze his shot way into the gallowgate, and that seemed to sum-up Newcastle's game. Steven Taylor then had the ball in the net, but again given off-side but it was the correct decision this time. Then came the breakthrough Titus misplacing a clearance straight to the feet of Taylor who passed it straight to Martins who's 1st time cross was brilliant and there was Owen making a gamble at the near post to header the goal, and send St James into raptures along with Mike Ashley in the boardroom. There was still time to see some disgraceful assaults by Heskey on Taylor who looked like he was knocked out, and then on Harper this time clattering into him after Harper had punched the ball clear. The ref didn't even speak to Heskey who was already on a yellow card. Then relief with the full time whistle to give Newcastle their first win at home in the league for over 6 months.
MOM: Cacapa (Looked a class act)
Newcastle: Harper, Taylor, Rozehnal, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Smith (Martins 66), Geremi, Butt, Milner, Owen, Viduka (Ameobi 46).
Subs Not Used: Given, Edgar, Pattison.
Booked: Smith, N'Zogbia.
Goals: Owen 87.
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Kilbane, Landzaat (Skoko 29), Brown, Scharner, Koumas (Bent 58), Sibierski (Boyce 48), Heskey.
Subs Not Used: Pollitt, Aghahowa.
Sent Off: Kilbane (46).
Booked: Kilbane, Heskey, Scharner, Brown.
Att: 50,461
Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).
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