WIGAN ATHLETIC v NEWCASTLE UNITED, 1-0 Sun 25 Feb
2007
Paul Jewell celebrated becoming the longest-serving manager in
Wigan Athletic's history with a priceless victory.
Jewell, in charge for his 250th league game to surpass the record
set by Bryan Hamilton, watched his side regain a six-point cushion
to the relegation zone.
Ryan Taylor scored the only goal of the game five minutes before
half-time with a stunning free-kick, just moments after John Filan
had saved a penalty from Nolberto Solano.
It was Taylors first goal for the club since October 2005, albeit
after spending virtually all of last year on the sidelines as he
broke first a metatarsal in an FA Cup tie with Leeds last January,
and then his right leg in a reserve match against Newcastle in
April.
It has been a long road back for Taylor, with this goal helping
complete his rehabilitation and offer further hope the Latics can
survive.
But Jewell also has Filan to thank for the win as he rolled back
time with a performance which belied his 37 years.
In the absence of Chris Kirkland and Mike Pollitt through injury,
Filan has superbly stepped into the breach.
The veterans recall for Wednesdays 1-1 draw at Watford was his
first game for Wigan for 10 months, and it was as if he had never
been away.
Certainly Filan kept Wigan in this match before Taylor broke the
deadlock, first denying Damien Duff with an outstretched left hand
in the 23rd minute after the Republic of Ireland winger attempted
to dink a shot over the advancing Australian.
Two minutes later Newcastles livewire frontman Obafemi Martins let
fly with a swerving 25-yard drive, but again Filan was equal to the
chance.
It was Filan who kept the heads of his team-mates high in the 28th
minute when they felt aggrieved at the penalty award.
Following a delightful backheeled pass through the legs of Emmerson
Boyce and onto Antoine Sibierski from Martins, the midfielder went
down under Taylor's challenge.
Referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot, following which Filan
confronted Sibierski, earning a booking for his protests.
But he dived full-length to his right to keep out Solanos
spot-kick effort.
A minute later Filans heroics continued as he was again at full
stretch, tipping away a downward header from Martins after the
Nigerian rose to meet a right-wing cross from captain Scott
Parker.
It proved a turning point because within two minutes Taylor netted
the winner.
A foul from Oguchi Onyewu on Leighton Baines teed Taylor up for his
chance just outside the left-hand edge of the area.
But the 22-year-olds execution from the free-kick was precise,
curling a 28-yard right-foot effort into the top left-hand corner
beyond Shay Given, back in goal after five weeks out with a groin
injury.
It could have been 2-0 in first-half injury-time, only for Given to
beat away a powerful header from Lee McCulloch.
It was the Scotland internationals third chance of the half as he
was initially caught unawares by a 20-yard Josip Skoko shot which
had spun off the heel of Caleb Folan.
At the far post, McCulloch could do no more than spoon a soft shot
into the welcoming arms of Given, following up soon after with a
sliced effort from 16 yards after being teed up by Heskey.
The second period was heart-stopping stuff for Jewell, although
Filan did not have another save to make, including through five
minutes of added-on time.
There were chances late on for Folan and Henri Camara, who came on
as a 62nd-minute sub for Antonio Valencia for his first game after
two months out with a knee injury, but fortunately it did not
matter.
The only downside for Jewell was that he had six players booked,
incurring an automatic £25,000 fine - but it is only a small
hindrance given the magnitude of the three points.