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This was not a game that will ever be shown on a Premier League highlight DVD as Wigan and Bolton fought out a 0-0 draw that left both sides deep in trouble at the foot of the Premier League table Wednesday.
Wigan came closest to breaking the deadlock when Charles N’Zogbia cut in from the right, passed two defenders but saw his shot hit the inside of the far post. Bolton’s Matt Taylor had three good chances to score but failed on a wet, miserable night.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is certain that Roberto Martinez will be confirmed as the club’s new manager in the next 24 hours.
The Latics have been given permission to open talks with the Swansea boss following the departure of Steve Bruce to Sunderland.
Liberty Stadium chief Huw Jenkins granted Wigan’s request to approach their highly-rated manager once a settlement package, believed to be in the region of £2million was agreed.
Former Latics favourite Martinez, one of the club’s famed ‘Three Amigos’, is now set to hold talks with chief executive Brenda Spencer to finalise his switch to the Premier League side.
Michael Carrick’s late winner moved Manchester United to within a point of a third successive Premier League title with a battling victory at Wigan.
Hugo Rodallega brushed off Nemanja Vidic to give Wigan a shock lead after 28 minutes. Substitute Carlos Tevez’s outrageous flick diverted in Carrick’s shot to level for United after 61 minutes. And Carrick sealed a crucial win to put United on the brink of glory with a 20-yard finish four minutes from time.
United struggled in the face of Wigan’s resilient challenge – but Sir Alex Ferguson’s celebrations after Carrick’s winner emphasised the importance of these three points and how close his side now are to drawing level with Liverpool’s record tally of 18 titles.
Manchester United can take a massive stride towards securing a third successive title as they visit Wigan Athletic on Wednesday.
United clinched last season’s Barclays Premier League crown with a 2-0 win at the JJB Stadium on the final day of the campaign and they can all but seal it again as they return to the happy hunting ground.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men need four points from their remaining three matches to be sure of being Premier League champions for an 11th time. Victory over the Latics would enable them to wrap it up at home to Arsenal on Saturday to equal Liverpool’s top-flight record of 18 titles.
Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is set to swoop for Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton this summer, according to a report in the British tabloid The Sun.
Since moving to the Magpies from Manchester City in 2007, the 26-year-old has been limited to just 31 appearances due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and jail sentences.
However, it seems that has not deterred Latics boss Bruce who is said to be ready to stump up the £6 million it is thought the Toon Army will ask for.
Nickname(s): Latics
2008/2009 Position: 15th
2007/2008 Finish: 14th
Coach: Steve Bruce (England)
Stadium: JJB Stadium (25,138 capacity)
Key Players: Amr Zaki, Antonio Valencia, Wilson Palacios
History:
Wigan is one of the “newer” teams in English football as they were only founded in 1932. They are also one of the newer teams in the EPL as they have only been up in the top flight since 2004/2005. They are popular with the locals, but they have always had to compete with the nearby rugby team, the Wigan Warriors, for attention. As a result, they have one of the poorest attendance records in the EPL.
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