Wigan Athletic slump to defeat against Reds.
By Alan G
February 11 2006
Latics suffered a miserable defeat at the hands of Liverpool today without a recognised striker in their squad. Sami Hyypia's first goal of the season was enough to give Liverpool their first win in four Premiership games.
Hyypia latched on to a hopeful punt from Jamie Carragher and his weak shot just managed to beat Mike Pollitt and trickle home.
Pollitt redeemed himself with a great save from Fernando Morientes at the end of a tedious first half.
Paul Jewell had to resort to Paul Scharner and Andreas Johansson up front and the pairing clearly lacked the necessary guile and firepower to break down a team of
Indeed it took until the opening minutes of the second half before Latics tested Dudek in the
Jimmy Bullard had already played two dangerous balls into the area when Dudek was forced into his first save, tipping over Johansson's header.
And the Reds keeper spared Sammi Hyypia's blushes before the hour mark when his attempt to clear Matt Jackson's cross sent the ball spinning goalwards before Dudek smothered it.
Latics manager Paul Jewell:
"We were up against it without any recognised strikers and I have to give my lads credit, especially in the second half.
"It is tough but it is where we want to be.
"We've moved mountains to get where we are and we'll have to continue to do so to stay in the top half of the table."
"We worked really hard for the win and showed we have character.
"It was an important win for us because recent results have not been good.
"It's also important in terms of our confidence and I think the players have got their just desserts because they have worked very hard for it."
Latics: Pollitt, Jackson, Henchoz, De Zeeuw, Ziegler, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, Thompson, Scharner, Johansson (Baines 84). Subs Not Used: Filan,
Booked: Thompson, Henchoz.
Goals: Hyypia 30.
Att: 25,023.
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).