Sibierski stuns Rams

Ten-man Derby's attempts to produce a Great Escape began with a defeat as Wigan won 1-0 win at Pride Park.

Davis sees red for new-look Rams

Ten-man Derby's attempts to produce a Premier League Great Escape began with a defeat as Antoine Sibierski scored with his first touch of the game to hand Wigan a 1-0 win at Pride Park. The new-look Rams faced an uphill task when Claude Davis was dismissed in the second half as the defender received his second booking of the match and Wigan substitute Sibierski then struck a winner in the 82nd minute just seconds after entering from the bench. With Derby handing debuts to Danny Mills, Laurent Robert, Robbie Savage, Hossam Ghaly and Emanuel Villa it was little surprise that it was Wigan who looked the more comfortable. And the Latics should have been in front on the stroke of half-time when Antonio Valencia some how dragged wide from seven yards. Wigan continued to dominate after the interval as Davis received his marching orders and Sibierski then hit a deserved winner from 20 yards.

Misery

A game that should have been the start of a new era for Derby in the wake of their transfer spree this week, ended up serving more of the same misery that has been witnessed all season. Former Wigan boss Jewell, though, will not stop in his bid to turn the club on its head, although it is becoming more apparent with every result the Rams will be playing Championship football next season. The Latics had the chances in the first half to have taken the lead, notably inside the opening 60 seconds. A low ball in from the left from Emile Heskey found Antonio Valencia unmarked inside the area, but his shot was weak. The clearance, though, found its way to Michael Brown and from 25 yards he blazed a half volley inches over the crossbar. Savage, as is his wont, put himself about, earning a ticking off from referee Mark Clattenburg at one stage for a late tackle.

Error

But it was an error from the Welshman deep inside Wigan's half that resulted in a swift counter-attack and another chance for Valencia, only to drive a shot into the arms of Lewis. That was soon followed by Valencia teeing up Marcus Bent inside the area for a fierce sidefoot shot that shaved the crossbar. Another Brown half-volley later forced a fine save from Lewis Price, and although Heskey teed up Bent for an easy tap-in from the rebound, the linesman's flag curtailed celebrations. Then as the first half drew to a close, Bent saw a drive cleared off the line by Tyrone Mears, and from the rebound Valencia was again off target to the frustration of his team-mates. Derby were restricted to one low, 35-yard Robert free-kick - easily gathered by Chris Kirkland - and one hasty Titus Bramble clearance inside the six-yard area to a low Craig Fagan cross which the centre-back was fortunate to see not end up in the back of the net.

Dismissal

After Bent curled a 25-yard right-foot shot narrowly wide of the left-hand post in the 56th minute, the game turned two minutes later when Derby were reduced to 10 men. After being booked for a foul in the first half on Bent, Davis was arguably harshly punished with a second yellow card, and consequently a red, for another challenge on the Wigan striker. The duo both jumped for a high ball, with Davis unintentionally leading with his right arm into the back of the head of Bent. With Clattenburg on the spot, he deemed the challenge worthy of a dismissal for Davis, much to the bitter frustration of the Jamaican. That should have been Wigan's cue to up a gear, but they struggled until Sibierski's arrival in the 81st minute, and with his first touch he piled on the agony for former Wigan boss Jewell.

Derby County	Team Statistics	Wigan Athletic
0	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
1	Shots on Target	4
1	Shots off Target	10
1	Blocked Shots	0
1	Corners	6
12	Fouls	17
3	Offsides	5
0	Yellow Cards	2
1	Red Cards	0
51.4	Passing Success	68.5
17	Tackles	16
88.2	Tackles Success	81.2
44.6	Possession	55.4
46	Territorial Advantage	54