Wigan 0-1 Sheff Utd: Blades move to
13th
Rob Hulse scored his fifth goal of the season to give Sheffield
United their third win in four Premiership matches - a 1-0 success
at Wigan - and maintain their climb away from the relegation
zone.
Arjan De Zeeuw clashes with Michael TongeHulse's strike in
first-half injury-time was all that separated United and The
Latics, and with 10 points from their last 12, manager Neil
Warnock's side are now up to a season-high 13th place.
Wigan have now lost their last three matches at the JJB Stadium,
their barren run stretching to six hours without a goal at
home.
Jewell had criticised the stay-away fans prior to this game after
staring at 10,000 empty seats during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat to
Arsenal.
But on the evidence of this display, it is with good reason the
supporters have turned their backs on the Latics. Today's match was
attended by a meagre 16,322.
There was little drama or entertainment until the Blades conjured a
goal in the third minute of injury time.
Keith Gillespie's cross from the right wing to the far post was
marginally over-hit, but Stephen Quinn collected the loose
ball.
The young left-winger swiftly played a low ball into the six-yard
box where Hulse had pulled away from marker Fitz Hall, allowing him
the time and space to lift a shot into the roof of the net.
Unsurprisingly, the Wigan players headed to the dressing room with
boos ringing in their ears from the disgruntled fans.
Before the goal Jewell's side had shaded the exchanges, playing a
4-3-3 formation with Henri Camara the spearhead, flanked by Emile
Heskey and Lee McCulloch.
But there was little penetration, with the untested Paddy Kenny
shielded by a resilient United defence, with centre-back Claude
Davis inspirational on his return to the side.
There were half chances - if that - for Camara and McCulloch, with
the best opportunity a clearance from visiting captain Chris Morgan
which rebounded a yard wide after striking Heskey and then
Camara.
United had offered nothing in return until Hulse scored his first
away goal of the season, with his other four coming at Bramall
Lane.
The goal forced Jewell into a change at the interval, reverting to
4-4-2 with Camara making way for right-winger David
Cotterill.
Blades manager Warnock has become renowned for his half-time team
talks, inspiring his side after poor performances before the
break.
On this occasion his words will undoubtedly have been different,
leaving Jewell to carpet his players after a lacklustre
showing.
What followed was considerably more entertaining.
Kenny was finally tested in the 48th minute, making a flying save
in turning aside a 20-yard half-volley from Denny Landzaat.
Ten minutes later Wigan should have been level as Kevin Kilbane
robbed right-back Rob Kozluk and charged into the area, but his
drive was blocked by an advancing Kenny.
On the hour there followed a remarkable incident as referee Peter
Walton initially pointed to the spot as he believed Wigan captain
Arjan de Zeeuw - back after four games out with a toe injury - had
handled in the area.
De Zeeuw was furious, claiming the Gillespie cross he was trying to
cut out had struck his thigh, and asked Walton to consult his
assistant Andy Halliday.
The Northamptonshire official did so, and after a few moments in
consultation with Halliday, over-ruled his own decision.
The Blades should still have had a second four minutes later,
sparked by a thunderous Gillespie drive Kirkland could only
parry.
As the ball dropped at the far post, Danny Webber appeared odds-on
to score from just two yards out, but was brilliantly denied by
Emmerson Boyce.
It proved to be Boyce's last act as he was soon replaced by David
Wright who had Wigan's only other chance of the game eight minutes
from time, powering a header past the left-hand post.
There was further controversy in the five minutes of added-on time,
again involving Morgan who had been elbowed by Juan Pablo Angel
towards the end of Monday's 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa.
On this occasion Morgan was thumped in the face by McCulloch as
they challenged for a corner, with the centre-back emerging after
treatment with a cut underneath a swollen right eye
