West Bromwich Albion 2 Wigan Athletic 2
With the transfer window firmly shut and the end of big money moves attentions were turned to the on the field matters once more. Both Roberto di Matteo and Martinez found their sides in the bottom five of the Premier League and despite an enthralling game from the neutral’s perspective they remain there after a draw at the Hawthorns.
Peter Odemwingie gave the home side the lead before the visitors turned things around to lead at half time thanks to free kicks from first Charles N’Zogbia and then Ben Watson. Albion rallied after the break, having been booed off at the interval and earned themselves a point thanks to a strike from Marc-Antoine Fortune.
This meeting of two sides who have struggled in the Premier League was billed as an important fixture and it certainly did not disappoint. Coming into tonight’s encounter the Lactics had just two away wins to their name all season, whilst their hosts had not kept a clean sheet since the opening weekend.
It was the Baggies who drew first blood with just less than five minutes played. Odemwingie timed his run superbly from a delightful through ball from Jerome Thomas. The Nigerian then showed a turn of pace to get away from Steve Gohouri and slotted it past the onrushing Ali Al Habsi. This early goal boosted the confidence of di Matteo’s men and Jonas Olsson up from the back at set pieces posed a dangerous threat.
This quickly evaporated when with less than twenty minutes on the clock Youssouf Mulumbu conceded a free kick in an excellent position for a left footer. N’Zogbia, who had been fouled himself to get the award, stepped up and his low effort was deflected past Boaz Myhill. An assist must surely go to Franco di Santo who locked arms with Mulumbu on the end of the wall, preventing the Congolese midfielder from cutting it out and instead helping it into the net to draw Wigan level.
The Lactics winger who is believed to have been the subject of a substantial offer from former club Newcastle in the late stages of the window grew in influence. The Frenchman dribbled past three and got a shot away at a tight angle that was punched away by Myhill.
Albion conceded another free kick on the edge of the area just before half time, Maynor Figueroa being caught by Gonzalo Jara. Ben Watson, who otherwise totally wasted set pieces, whipped in a ball that three teammates attacked whilst the home defence stood static, with Myhill powerless to stop it going in the corner.
Di Matteo’s side started the second half much more promisingly. An audacious lofted effort from Thomas went just over after he came inside. Simon Cox was pushed up front from midfield as they searched for an equaliser. Wigan spurned chances to increase their lead, di Santo shooting straight at Myhill on the break and N’Zogbia and Rodallega both cutting inside, a tactic which was consistent throughout tonight’s game, but with finishes that similarly lacked conviction.
Substitute Fortune hit the post with a strike on the turn and again moments later the visitors’ woodwork was rattled by Albion’s captain Chris Brunt. The home side’s pressure finally told when with ten minutes remaining Thomas found himself at the back post from a corner, stuck the ball back into the centre and this time Fortune found the net with a header past Al Habsi’s despairing dive.
Olsson again threatened from a set piece and were it not for the Omani keeper in the Lactics goal the Baggies might have won it. The tension was palpable towards the ends with players from both sides going into referee Phil Dowd’s notebook as the emotion reached breaking point.
Late appeals for a penalty to West Brom were waved away despite Gary Caldwell handling the ball and in stoppage time Al Habsi saved well with his legs after Fortune got a shot away amidst a scramble in the penalty area. Honours remained even and although the result has done nothing to improve either side’s fortunes or defensive records this was a thoroughly entertaining match.
Play in wide areas from both sides was outstanding, N’Zogbia and Thomas lit up the fixture. The decision to play Cox in central midfield is one that puzzles and Olsson’s prowess in attacking set pieces at one end is good, but the Swede didn’t seem to show that same aggression when he was defending them. This will concern di Matteo, but on the other hand Brunt’s passing and playmaking is a big positive to draw from.
As for Wigan they defensively have very little quality. Gohouri and both Caldwell brothers seem to still be struggling to step up to the Premier League. Di Santo is still learning and although Rodaellga has the pace to play out wide, he will only add to his goal tally and subsequently fire the Lactics to safety if he plays down the middle.
On a final note it is so refreshing to see two sides fighting for their lives in the top flight of English football sticking to their guns and positive philosophy. The temptation must be immense to play defensively, but both Martinez and di Matteo sent their teams out to attack tonight and that is why we got a memorable game instead of a scrappy affair.
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