Wigan Athletic 1 - West Bromwich Albion 2

Summary:

Albion recorded their first away win of the season at Wigan Athletic. Fit-again James Morrison started on the right wing as Steve Clarke switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Chris Brunt on the left, Youssouf Mulumbu playing alongside the league's best tackler, Claudio Yacob, in the middle and raising a few eyebrows by dropping Peter Odemwingie to the bench. Ben Foster missed out altogether with a groin problem and was replaced by Boaz Myhill.

Albion seemed content to soak up the home side's pressure early on, but after half an hour Morrison justified Clarke's formation when he headed Brunt's superb cross past Ali Al Habsi. Just before half time, Billy Jones crossed for Gary Caldwell to turn the ball into his own net and double their lead, but it only took a minutes for Wigan to pull one back through Arouna Kone - the first time Albion had conceded before half time this season.

The second half was uneventful by comparison, Romelu Lukaku having his chance to increase the lead saved by Al Habsi while Myhill was pretty much a spectator for most of it. Albion retained their fifth place in the Premiership and are starting to look like an established top flight outfit.

oshawabaggie:

Surprises to the starting line-up have become a feature of SC's style and today was no different. Gera and Peter O, who were instrumental in the defeat of Southampton, found themselves warming the bench. But as long as the players understand the dynamics and are OK with it (and we keep getting the results), who can question his decisions. This was not a footballing spectacle by any stretch of the imagination, but there was something pleasing about our dogged approach to securing the points. Our record against Wigan has not been great and they were coming off two wins, so this result was hard earned and another step towards premier league maturity. We have found a way to grind out points through discipline, effort and tactics when shear brilliance is in short supply.

Billy Jones has taken some stick from fans (me included), but I thought he had a really solid game today, both defensively and going forward. He may not get credited for the goal, but he deserves it. Long again worked nonestop and I'd like to see him get a goal soon for his efforts. Lukaku was spotty - nice pass for BJ goal and a little unlucky not to score, but out of it for long spells. He is very young and may turn out to be another Drogba, but it boggles my mind how Chelsea could shell out 18 million quid for such an unproven talent.

I thought Brunt and Morrison looked off the pace at the beginning, so it was ironic that they combined really well for the first goal. But overall they, like the rest of the starting lineup, did well in what was mostly a solid defensive battle.

20 points at this stage of the season far exceeds my pre-season expectations, but it is a measure of our improvement that if we now finish the year with less than 60 points it will be a disappointment.

I think we will give Chelsea a good game. I'd like to see Long, Gera, Peter O and Morrison starting. Let's see.

Last, but not least, our fans completely drowned out the Wigan crowd (I use the word 'crowd' loosely). It must have seemed like a home game to the players. Well done fans!!

Bobby Hope:

A brilliant result from a very hard working performance and great support from the Albion fans. SC was brave to make changes following Monday's win and St Peter, like all the players, in the squad will have to accept decisions such as this. Wigan are no mugs and they had most of the game but we defended from the front right through to Olsson who again was an absolute lion. Thought Mulumbu was below par for him and I guess he's allowed that once in 10/11 games! Silly bookings for Yacob (who again was very very good) and Lukaku for kicking the ball away. Ridgewell stopped for their goal, losing concentration and the Wigan player as well!

Jones had a good game and his cross was Long bound but got a nice deflection - Lukaku's subtle pass with the outside of his left foot was sublime. Great to see Mozza attacking the ball again and getting his just rewards. I'll give Brunt the benefit of the doubt as it was his first game back but he needs to improve to keep his place. I would imagine that Odem and Long will start against Chelsea. Myhill did what he had to do and made a couple of decent saves and collects from crosses.

All in all one of the games that SC mentioned earlier in the season when you have to grind out a result and we did that without too much trouble and Mulumbu's curler at the end could have flattered us. But we deserved the win and the hard graft paid off so well done to all the boys and especially SC gaining his first Premier away win as manager. I really do like his demeanour and the way he talks absolute sense. He is giving the players a lot of praise and therefore a lot of confidence. Hope Di Matteo gets a warm welcome next week but is sent home packing! COYB!