‘Scrambled Sibierski winner gives Hutchins first win’
Wigan Athletic 1 – 0 Middlesbrough – Premier League – August 13th 2007
A second goal in two games from new signing Antoine Sibierski gave Wigan boss Chris Hutchins cause for celebrations during his first game as boss at the JJB stadium. Having taken over from Paul Jewell in the summer and defeated by Everton in the opening game of the season, the three points was a perfect way to answer the critics who suggested he was not up to the task.
The 0-1 scoreline however left ‘Boro new signing Mido, watching from the stands, no doubt what kind of season this could be for the North East side. With very few clear cut chances created the firepower of the Egyptian may need to be ‘fast tracked’ into action.
The game itself was largely toothless and although Wigan were undoubtedly the far better team, chances at either end were few and far between.
The home side began with the same side which lined up at Goodison Park, Jason Koumas made his home debut whilst Sibierski partnered Heskey in attack once more. ‘Boro made changes with the team which lost its opener at the Riverside against Blackburn on Saturday, David Wheater and Andrew Davis were drafted into an inexperienced backline whilst there was once again a place for Turkish International Tuncay in midfield.
Wigan began the brighter with Emile Heskey causing problems for the youthful backline of their opponents. The first real chance came from nothing as Danny Lanzart just missed the post with a well controlled volley. With rumours of an England recall surrounding the Wigan striker Heskey, Steve Maclaren will have been pleased with his link up play which caused no end of trouble for the away team. Great set up play by the forward once more made space for Antonio Valencia who teed up Sibierski, the Frenchman’s shot was waywood but an example of the trouble he can cause when breaking from deep.
Having played much of the game as a central midfielder, Jason Koumas began to display dribbling skills which have earned him an excellent reputation in the Championship. He played in Valencia for a strike at goal which went just wide before troubling Schwarzer with a free kick from distance which had to be palmed round the post.
At the other end Chris Kirkland was little more than a spectator, ‘Boro lacked options coming forward although an excellent block from captain Melchiot prevented Stewart Downing from getting a clean strike in on goal. The England midfielder looked quiet in the first period and was forced off for a short period of time with an injury which will worry his International manager.
In the second half, Wigan again started as the dominant force. Heskey had a header saved by Schwarzer before Sibierski opened the scoring with the scruffiest of tap ins. A strike from Valencia proved too hot to handle for ‘Boro’s Australian goalkeeper who could only parry the ball into the path of the onrushing forward who did well to hold of Chris Riggott before squeezing the ball over the line.
For the first time in the game Wigan took their foot of the pedal and were almost caught cold when a long range strike from Stuart Downing hit the post. The venomous left foot of the midfielder left the post shaking but was the closest his side could come to scoring. In possession they looked short on ideas and the substitution of want-away striker Yakubu on the hour mark will have done little to improve his mood. Tuncay in midfield had plenty of the ball but could create little with no movement ahead of him.
The game now became a chess match as Wigan looked to hold firm whilst ‘Boro pressed but tried not to leave themselves too open in the defensive area. They threw David Wheater up front for the final ten minutes to try and force and equalizer but a man short at the back they were almost caught out by two counter attacks from the home side.
The final shot both times was lacking however as Scharner and Valencia fluffed their lines and failed to extend their sides advantage.
As the final whistle blew inside the JJB stadium the jubilation all around was evident as Wigan got off the mark in their bid to avoid a relegation battle whilst ‘Boro and Southgate stepped into what might be a difficult campaign for them.
The game itself was largely toothless and although Wigan were undoubtedly the far better team, chances at either end were few and far between.
The home side began with the same side which lined up at Goodison Park, Jason Koumas made his home debut whilst Sibierski partnered Heskey in attack once more. ‘Boro made changes with the team which lost its opener at the Riverside against Blackburn on Saturday, David Wheater and Andrew Davis were drafted into an inexperienced backline whilst there was once again a place for Turkish International Tuncay in midfield.
Wigan began the brighter with Emile Heskey causing problems for the youthful backline of their opponents. The first real chance came from nothing as Danny Lanzart just missed the post with a well controlled volley. With rumours of an England recall surrounding the Wigan striker Heskey, Steve Maclaren will have been pleased with his link up play which caused no end of trouble for the away team. Great set up play by the forward once more made space for Antonio Valencia who teed up Sibierski, the Frenchman’s shot was waywood but an example of the trouble he can cause when breaking from deep.
Having played much of the game as a central midfielder, Jason Koumas began to display dribbling skills which have earned him an excellent reputation in the Championship. He played in Valencia for a strike at goal which went just wide before troubling Schwarzer with a free kick from distance which had to be palmed round the post.
At the other end Chris Kirkland was little more than a spectator, ‘Boro lacked options coming forward although an excellent block from captain Melchiot prevented Stewart Downing from getting a clean strike in on goal. The England midfielder looked quiet in the first period and was forced off for a short period of time with an injury which will worry his International manager.
In the second half, Wigan again started as the dominant force. Heskey had a header saved by Schwarzer before Sibierski opened the scoring with the scruffiest of tap ins. A strike from Valencia proved too hot to handle for ‘Boro’s Australian goalkeeper who could only parry the ball into the path of the onrushing forward who did well to hold of Chris Riggott before squeezing the ball over the line.
For the first time in the game Wigan took their foot of the pedal and were almost caught cold when a long range strike from Stuart Downing hit the post. The venomous left foot of the midfielder left the post shaking but was the closest his side could come to scoring. In possession they looked short on ideas and the substitution of want-away striker Yakubu on the hour mark will have done little to improve his mood. Tuncay in midfield had plenty of the ball but could create little with no movement ahead of him.
The game now became a chess match as Wigan looked to hold firm whilst ‘Boro pressed but tried not to leave themselves too open in the defensive area. They threw David Wheater up front for the final ten minutes to try and force and equalizer but a man short at the back they were almost caught out by two counter attacks from the home side.
The final shot both times was lacking however as Scharner and Valencia fluffed their lines and failed to extend their sides advantage.
As the final whistle blew inside the JJB stadium the jubilation all around was evident as Wigan got off the mark in their bid to avoid a relegation battle whilst ‘Boro and Southgate stepped into what might be a difficult campaign for them.