WIGAN: Newcastle’s Champions League aspirations suffered a hammer blow as Wigan eased their relegation fears with a stunning first-half performance in a 4-0 win at the DW Stadium on Saturday.
Two goals from Victor Moses plus one apiece from Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo saw Wigan claim another high-profile scalp to add to recent victories over Manchester United and Arsenal.
Alan Pardew’s Newcastle side had not conceded a goal in 411 minutes until Moses opened the floodgates at the start of a 32-minute period which saw them concede four times.
Moses started the rout after 13 minutes following a right-wing cross from Emmerson Boyce which saw him outjump defender Mike Williamson easily, despite giving up several inches in height to the Newcastle man, and guide the ball past Tim Krul with an expertly-judged back-header.
Two minutes later, Moses and Wigan doubled the lead when Jean Beausejour played in a dangerous ball from the left wing, which Fabricio Coloccini only half cleared, straight into the path of Moses.
The Wigan forward, who is attracting the interest of a number of the division’s wealthier clubs after recently declining a contract extension, did the rest, side-footing the ball superbly past the dive of Krul.
After 35 minutes, Newcastle’s fading hopes of somehow fighting back and challenging for the third spot in the table were extinguished.
Beausejour’s pass was neatly helped on by Di Santo with Maloney racing inside full-back Danny Simpson to produce another inch-perfect finish that allowed the Newcastle keeper no chance.
Pardew’s team managed to hold out until first-half injury-time before letting in another. This time it was a wonderful solo goal from Di Santo who took a short pass from Maloney and curled a dipping shot over Krul’s head into the top left-hand corner.
It was a stunning half of football but, after the recent wins over Manchester United and Arsenal, it merely continued Wigan’s unexpected recovery, which has now seen them collect 15 points from the last available 21.
Robin van Persie’s 35th goal of the season cancelled out Peter Crouch’s opener as Arsenal picked up a 1-1 draw at Stoke.
While Arsenal knew a victory would have tightened their grip on third place in the Premier League and they controlled the game throughout, a draw does their hopes of Champions League football next season little harm.
At a venue they have rarely enjoyed, they fell behind early on through Crouch’s header.
But Van Persie, who faces speculation about his future with only one year remaining on his contract, touched in for his second goal in eight games.
Wolves stage stunning fightback at Swansea
Relegated Wolves finally showed some belated fight as they recovered from 4-1 down to earn a remarkable 4-4 draw at Swansea on Saturday.Terry Connor’s side were officially relegated last weekend after Manchester City condemned them to their eighth defeat in nine matches and they could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel after falling 3-0 down and then trailing 4-1 at the Liberty Stadium. (Agencies)