Latics Beat Swans

Latics progressed through to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup for the first time in five seasons courtesy of Mauro Boselli`s first competitive goal for the club and Ben Watsons last gasp penalty.

Both Wigan and Swansea made changes for the game and Roberto Martinez drafted in seven new faces from the side that had played Bolton at the weekend, Gary Caldwell getting his first taste of first team action this season whilst Ali Al-Habsi was reinstated in the nets.

Latics started brightly and Victor Moses was proving to be the main outlet down the left, but it was Swansea who had the best chance of the opening exchanges, Darren Pratley fed a through ball into the path of Dutchman Cedric Van der Gun who raced clear of the Latics back line.

With just Al-Habsi to beat Van der Gun, instead of shooting, inexplicably played the ball to team mate Craig Beattie who was in an off side position and although the burly striker rolled the ball into an empty net, it was rightly flagged off side.

The first half was entertaining and enjoyable without being too exciting, both sides prepared to mount attacks but most petered out without really troubling the keepers, though Al-Habsi did look commanding in his area.

Within seven minutes of the restart the Latics were in front, Antolin Alcaraz carried the ball out of defence and played a delightful through ball into the path of Mauro Boselli, the Argentine striker took it in his stride, rounded Swansea keeper Kalambay and side footed home from a slight angle.

The delight and relief was plain to see on Boselli`s face following his first competitive goal for the club has he punched the air and ran towards the Latics fans in the East Stand.

Charles N`Zogbia replaced Jordi Gomez on 66 minutes and the introduction of the little Frenchman brought a zip to the Latics attacks but it was two minutes into stoppage time at the end of the game before the Latics wrapped up proceedings.

N`Zogbia picked up a ball at pace and skirted into the Swansea area in his usual style only to be tripped by Andrea Orlandi leaving referee Kevin Friend with no choice but to point to the spot.

Ben Watson stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty into the bottom left hand corner, 2-0 game over.

A good evenings entertainment, full credit to Swansea City who fought until the end playing some decent football and full credit to the Swansea fans who came in numbers, sang till the end and helped make a cracking atmosphere.

Al Habsi; Stam, G. Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa; Thomas, Diame; Gomez (N'Zogbia, 66), Watson, Moses; Boselli (Di Santo, 78)

Subs: Kirkland, S. Caldwell, McArthur, Rodallega, De Ridder
Ma-Kalambay; Taylor, Tate, Cotterill, Pratley, Beattie (Dobbie, 63), Van Der Gun, Serran (Monk, 19), Rangel, Agustien (Orlandi, 46), Emnes

Subs: De Vries, Dyer, Sinclair, Allen

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