Wigan crashed to their third defeat on the trot at the JJB
Stadium and it was the same old story for Paul Jewell. His team
created the chances, failed to take them and paid the price.
For the Blades it was the third 1-0 win on their travels, with Rob
Hulse hitting the winner with his fifth of the season.
ut Neil Warnock's side felt they were robbed of a second-half
spot-kick while Wigan's Kevin Kilbane blew a great chance to earn
at least a share of the points.
Desperate to bounce back after the midweek defeat by Arsenal, Wigan
were boosted by the return of skipper Arjan de Zeeuw after a month
out with a damaged toe.
But midfielder Paul Scharner - free from suspension - missed out
after picking up a knee injury in training.
United, fresh from a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, had midfielder
Michel Tonge back after a seven-week lay-off with an ankle injury.
But youngster Stephen Quinn kept his place in the starting line-up
after impressive performances in recent games. There was also a
welcome return for defender Claude Davis after injury.
It was the first meeting between the sides at the JJB since 2004
when Wigan won the championship fixture 4-0.
Tonge signalled his return early on from a Keith Gillespie corner
but the shot, set up by Davis, was blocked and cleared.
United went close when Quinn supplied a pinpoint cross from the
left, but Danny Webber's textbook glancing header flew over.
Leading scorer Henri Camara had Wigan's first chance but snatched
at the shot from just outside the area, and put it wide.
The Latics could have cashed in when Emile Heskey took advantage of
a slip by Quinn out on the right. He got the cross into the danger
area, but Lee McCulloch's header lacked both power and
direction.
The Blades too were short of punch up front with Hulse heading
straight into the arms of the Wigan keeper from Gillespie's cross
and Webber fired one wide after the Latics were caught on the
break.
Fitz Hall made a timely recovery from a knock to deny Webber an
opportunity, clearing the danger with a header back to Chris
Kirkland.
But the Blades grabbed the lead in first-half stoppage time.
Gillespie's cross floated beyond the back post, it was turned back
inside by Quinn and Hulse stuck out a boot to flick it past
Kirkland .
The goal stood despite Wigan claims that the United frontman struck
from an offside position.
The Latics responded to a half-time pep talk from Paul Jewell and
instantly turned up the heat.
Paddy Kenny kept out a real blockbuster from Denny Landzaat before
Republic of Ireland star Kilbane squandered a real gift.
Rob Kozluk handed him possession and a clear run on goal but the
ex-Everton winger - yet to score since his £2.5million move from
Goodison - failed to come up with a finish.
Leighton Baines just missed the target from long range and Lee
McCulloch forced a one-handed save from Kenny with a header.
But United were fuming when ref Peter Walton awarded a penalty and
then changed his mind after consulting his assistant.
The Blades were insistent that De Zeeuw handled Gillespie's cross,
but the replay suggested that it struck his thigh and the ref got
it right.
Gillespie, who has had two spells on loan at Wigan, used his speed
to race clear, and force Kirkland into action with a terrific
shot.
Webber went for the follow-up but the ball hit the post and was
cleared.
A rare slip by De Zeeuw almost let Hulse in but Baines saved the
day with a covering tackle and at the other end, sub David Wright
was wide with a header.
Then deep in injury time, McCulloch saw a header cleared off the
line.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell commented: "Today's first-half performance
was as poor as we've played for a long time.
"The energy levels, the desire and the determination were just not
there and while we improved in the second half, you can't play for
just 45 minutes at this level.
"I could put it down to tiredness but that's not what the fans want
to hear. But we'll come out fighting make no mistake about
that."
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock added: "This result
epitomised what the club is all about at the moment. We are a bunch
of unsung heroes playing out of our skins.
"We come here positive, played a four-four-two formation and tried
to hit them on the break. We tried to score more goals but it's not
that easy and their keeper made a couple of great saves.
"On chances created I think we deserved it. It's not easy at Wigan
and it's the first time I have won against Paul Jewell."