Last-gasp Latics snatch draw

Antolin Alcaraz netted a late equaliser as Wigan drew 1-1 with 10-man Sunderland at the DW Stadium.

Alcaraz nets late equaliser after Gyan opener, Cattermole sent off

Antolin Alcaraz netted a late equaliser as Wigan came from behind to earn a point against 10-man Sunderland at the DW Stadium. Sunderland skipper Lee Cattermole was sent off for a second bookable offence after only 22 minutes after picking up his first caution just four minutes before. The Black Cats then took the lead against the run of play on 66 minutes when substitute Asamoah Gyan netted on his debut with a fine close-range volley after good work from Jordan Henderson on the right. But the Latics were not to be denied and Alcaraz turned the ball into the Sunderland net with a close-range header with three minutes remaining. Wigan started the day without a goal or a point at home after being hammered 4-0 by Blackpool and 6-0 by Chelsea. But it was Roberto Martinez's men who created the first opening in the eighth minute when Mauro Boselli headed the ball into the path of Mohamed Diame, who lashed it across Simon Mignolet and wide. Two minutes later Hugo Rodallega cut into the box but saw his shot deflect off Nedum Onuoha and behind for a corner before Hendry Thomas received the first caution of the afternoon from referee Andre Marriner. Cattermole, making his first return to the DW Stadium since leaving Wigan for Sunderland in 2009, then picked up a slightly harsh yellow card for a challenge on Diame, to the delight of the home supporters. Emmerson Boyce followed him into the referee's book moments later, but it was Cattermole who was again in trouble within seconds.

No option

Ali Al Habsi gathered a free-kick and quickly released Rodallega who made a great run before Cattermole scythed him down on the edge of the Sunderland box, leaving Marriner with no option but to send him off on 22 minutes. It was Cattermole's second sending off in three league games following his dismissal against Birmingham on the opening day of the season and his third since joining Sunderland. Once the midfielder had departed the pitch with jeers ringing around the ground, Rodallega hit the resulting free-kick onto the roof of Mignolet's net. The game was becoming increasingly ill-tempered and after Mignolet had punched a cross away from danger with Boselli lurking, Steve Gohouri was next to be booked for a rash challenge on Darren Bent. Ahmed Elmohamady then had to be substituted on 33 minutes after appearing to take a knock, with Cristian Riveros sent on as his replacement. Wigan looked to make the most of their man advantage and James McCarthy saw his effort go narrowly over, but referee Marriner was soon called into action once more, this time showing Danny Welbeck yellow for fouling Ronnie Stam. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce brought on the club's record signing Gyan for Welbeck at half-time in an attempt to rejuvenate his troops.

Front foot

But it was Wigan who remained on the front foot, with Rodallega forcing Mignolet into a good save after collecting the ball outside the box, while he then sent another effort just wide. Wigan manager Martinez then introduced one of his new signings, Franco Di Santo, as well as Charles N'Zogbia with Thomas and Stam making way. Boselli managed to squirm around Mignolet after being fed by Diame, but could not get a shot away and Di Santo delivered a cross into the danger zone which the Belgian keeper dived to catch. Boselli then had another attempt which went high over the bar, but Latics fans were sensing that a goal was not far away. That proved to be the case, but it was Sunderland who found it against the run of play as Gyan volleyed Henderson's inch-perfect cross past Al Habsi. Gyan looked to double his tally and the visitors' lead moments later with an attempt that skewed well wide. Boselli then had a glorious chance to equalise but contrived to send his close-range header from Di Santo's cross wide with the goal gaping. The striker was almost immediately taken off, with Martinez introducing Tom Cleverley in a bid to save the game and the on-loan Manchester United youngster made a telling contribution as Wigan drew level in the 87th minute. Mignolet attempted to clear a Rodallega free-kick with a punch but Cleverley sent the ball from the edge of the area back towards goal with a fierce drive. His kick was met by Latics skipper Alcaraz, whose close-range header Mignolet was unable to prevent from slipping over the line as Wigan earned a late point.

Wigan Athletic	Team Statistics	Sunderland
1	Goals	1
0	1st Half Goals	0
3	Shots on Target	1
13	Shots off Target	3
3	Blocked Shots	3
5	Corners	1
20	Fouls	11
5	Offsides	0
4	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	1
81.4	Passing Success	61.2
14	Tackles	22
78.6	Tackles Success	68.2
64.3	Possession	35.7
54	Territorial Advantage	46