Played at Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Saturday, 6 February 2010
Mohamed Diame's first goal for Wigan, a brilliant individual effort, was cancelled out by a fine header from Kenwyne Jones in an entertaining scrap.
Sunderland vs Wigan Athletic Match Report
Kenwyne Jones headed home to save Sunderland's blushes as the Black Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by Wigan Athletic at the Stadium of Light.
The Wearsiders have not won in 11 Premier League games and, despite their best efforts, were unable to overcome the Latics.
The home side were quite clearly desperate for all three points and that showed in a nervy and poor first-half display.
The Wearsiders could have opened their account after just eight minutes but Darren Bent's tame effort was straight at Chris Kirkland in the visitors goal.
Other than that, goalscoring opportunities were at a premium for both sides but it was Wigan who then took the momentum.
The Latics went close on 17 minutes as one-time Sunderland target Maynor Figueroa tried his luck from distance, the effort just clearing the bar.
Two minutes later the away side were in front following a mistake by Black Cats skipper Lorik Cana. The midfielder gave away possession just outside his own area and Wigan pounced on the opportunity.
The ball came to Mohamed Diame just inside the box and he rifled home an unstoppable shot. It was nothing less than the away side deserved having bossed proceedings.
The Wearsiders on the other hand were struggling to find a spark, although they did have a chance to level only for Jones' strike to be blocked onto the post to deny them an equaliser.
The first half ended with a crescendo of boos from the home supporters who made their feelings known.
The home team did improve after the break and gave a spirited display to get back on terms.
However, just before the hour mark, Wigan should have been two goals to the good, but Craig Gordon was quick off his line to deny James McCarthy.
That wasted opportunity would cost Wigan as Jones found a leveller on 64 minutes. Jordan Henderson crossed from the right and Jones got up to power a header into the net.
It was to be Henderson's last involvement as three minutes later he was stretchered off with a bad ankle injury.
The Black Cats continued to work hard but the breakthrough just wouldn't come and even seven minutes stoppage time weren't enough for them to find a winner.
They did however have chances, Michael Turner glancing a header wide and Bent shooting at goal only to see it hit team-mate Jones who was lying on the floor on the goal-line after a collision with Kirkland.
Roberto Martinez will have been the happier of the two bosses having seen his side pick up a good away point but Steve Bruce must be wondering where his outfit's next win is coming from.
Sunderland vs Wigan Athletic Highlights Video
19:09 GOAL - Mohamed Diame:Sunderland 0 - 1 Wigan
Mohamed Diame unleashes a right-foot shot from the edge of the area that flies past Craig Gordon.
63:41 GOAL - Kenwyne Jones:Sunderland 1 - 1 Wigan
Kenwyne Jones grabs a headed goal from close range
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce:
"I am not enjoying it. I'm not unduly worried, but I am not enjoying it, that's for sure.
"The one thing I am not going to do is give up on it - I have never given up on anything in my life, so I am not going to start now.
"We have got to make sure we are ready for the challenge ahead. We won't give up on it, that's for sure and we will turn it around."
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez:
"The hardest thing coming away from home is scoring that first goal and once we did that, we coped really well in the first half with Sunderland's threat.
"But the disappointment is that we needed to score that second goal. If you score that second goal, the whole games changes and everything is a little bit easier for you.
"We are getting punished for very, very little and it seems we need a lot to take our chances."
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