Martinez Makes A Point

A first half Wigan Athletic goal his first for the club by Momo Diame set the Latics on their way to what in all honesty should have been three points only for squandered chances and an equalising header by Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones to leave both clubs sharing the spoils.

Before the game both managers had spoken about the need for a good start and Sunderland took heed of this and they were first out of the blocks and caused panic in the Latics defence straight from the kick-off, but fresh from one hour`s rollicking on Tuesday night Martinez` men responded well and had the first real chance when Paul Scharner scuffed his shot on 15 minutes.

Momo Diame then put the away side in front on 20 minutes when he galloped in from the Latics right, stormed into the area brushing past three defenders and thundered a right footed strike from 15 yards in to the roof of the net giving Gordon in the Sunderland goal no chance whatsoever.

It was a lead that the Latics had deserved and they pushed on looking to kill the game off before half time unfortunately the killer touch in front of goal was missing but they had shown enough in their play to suggest that the second half would bring more reward.

Following the interval the Latics had two glorious chances to increase their lead, James McCarthy latched onto a mistake in the Sunderland defensive had he stood unmarked on the penalty spot but Craig Gordon saved the young Scots effort with his foot and minutes later Hugo Rodallega fizzed a ball across the six yard box and an incoming Charles N`Zogbia under pressure from Matt Kilgallon could only side foot wide.

The Latics were left to rue for these misses when Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones rose to head home a Jordan Henderson cross but on reflection a 1-1 draw was possibly a fair result

Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno both made their Latics debuts as substitutes late in the game

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