Wigan claimed a vital three points with a 2-1 win over unlucky West Brom at the JJB Stadium.
Miller scores opener, but Camara and Boyce efforts seal Latics win
Wigan claimed a vital three points with a 2-1 win over unlucky West Brom at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.
Tony Mowbray will wonder how his rock-bottom side lost after Latics keeper Chris Kirkland made a string of great saves to keep his team in the game.
The Baggies took the lead two minutes after half-time when Ishmael Miller capitalised on a Titus Bramble mistake and coolly netted past Kirkland.
But the Latics equalised through a fantastic Henri Camara goal on 61 minutes, with the striker flicking on a Paul Robinson back-header into the net.
Emmerson Boyce then scored the winner with three minutes to go to give Wigan boss Steve Bruce his first back-to-back victories in the Premier League since he took charge a year ago.
The goal came after Scott Carson conceded a corner from a Jonas Olsson back-header, which substitute Jason Koumas took and Boyce headed home unmarked.
With freezing fog enveloping the ground, there was little to warm the supporters of both sides for long spells.
West Brom carved out a good chance as early as the second minute but James Morrison's pass went behind Miller in the penalty box to the relief of the home side.
Wigan responded and Camara was clear at the back post five minutes later when Ryan Taylor delivered the corner only to smash his effort wide of the target.
A minute later Taylor tried his luck with a free-kick from 25 yards but only succeeded in sending it over the top.
More dangerous
The home side were looking the more dangerous of the two teams at this stage and Wilson Palacios raced into the area four minutes later but his effort was blocked.
West Brom were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out in the 21st minute but Chris Brunt failed to test Kirkland, his effort going over the bar.
Jonathan Greening was also wasteful a minute later when he got behind the Wigan defence but sent a shot high into the crowd.
Wigan pushed forward in the 30th minute and Antonio Valencia picked out Emile Heskey but he only succeeded in sending his header wide of the post.
Carson then did well to parry a free-kick from Taylor at the foot of the post in the 40th minute to keep his side on level terms.
West Brom took the lead in the 47th minute after a mistake by Bramble. The central defender tried to chest the ball down and clear but released Miller instead.
He wasted no time in accepting the gift, skipping into the area and rifling a shot beyond Kirkland.
Albion nearly added a second four minutes later when Miller released Morrison with a clever header but he was left holding his head in disbelief as Kirkland booted his effort clear.
Taylor almost equalised with a fine free-kick in the 55th minute after being bowled over by Robinson, his effort going narrowly wide.
Confidence
Albion were growing in confidence and it needed another fine save from Kirkland a minute later to deny Brunt.
Wigan boss Bruce made a switch on the hour, bringing on Koumas for Michael Brown.
A minute later they grabbed the equaliser with Camara scoring for the second successive match after he got the winner against Everton on Monday.
Robinson was left red-faced, like Bramble before him, as he failed to pick up Camara's run when Heskey played the ball forward and nodded the ball into the striker's path, although it took a fine finish with the outside of his boot.
West Brom almost regained the lead in the 75th minute but Kirkland did well to parry Olsson's header following an inswinging corner from Brunt.
Kirkland again came to Wigan's rescue five minutes later as he blocked Greening's powerful shot from the edge of the area.
Wigan then grabbed a dramatic winner with three minutes to go when Boyce thundered a header beyond Carson following a corner from Koumas.
| Wigan Athletic |
Team Statistics |
West Bromwich Albion |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
11 |
| 3 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 6 |
Corners |
8 |
| 11 |
Fouls |
9 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 68.2 |
Passing Success |
73.7 |
| 34 |
Tackles |
16 |
| 85.3 |
Tackles Success |
81.2 |
| 39 |
Possession |
61 |
| 52.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.4 |
|
