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Wigan 1-1 Everton: N'Zogbia cracking-strike, Al Habsi penalty-saved
Wigan were denied two crucial points in the fight against relegation from the Premier League as Everton came from behind to draw 1-1 at the DW Stadium, Saturday 30/04/2011.
Charles N'Zogbia struck a sublime opening goal in the first half before having to go off injured in the second period.
Everton won a penalty before the break, missed by Mikel Arteta, and when a second spot-kick was awarded 13 minutes from time with the Spaniard off the pitch, Leighton Baines smashed into the top corner.
Everton had keeper Tim Howard to thank for several excellent saves as Wigan went for the win.
Wigan, who welcomed back Maynor Figueroa following a suspension, started strongly but were unable to prise apart a tight Everton defence with their passing play.
Star winger N'Zogbia was furious when the linesman judged that he had not kept the ball in play on the right when bearing across into the penalty area, and with justification for the ball was on the line when he reached it.
Four minutes later, on 21, the Frenchman produced his moment of magic. James McCarthy chipped a little ball through but he was unable to take it on; turned away from goal with Everton keeper Tim Howard committed, he spun and sent an inch-perfect curling strike inside the far post halfway up.
Soon after Leon Osman forced Ali Al Habsi to turn over the bar at the other end as Everton got back into the game. And on 35 minutes they had the perfect opportunity to do so.
A Baines short corner was played to Leon Osman, arriving inside the corner of the box, and N'Zogbia arrived too quickly to upend the winger. However there seemed to be little contact.
Up stepped Arteta - and his firm kick was tipped around the post by athletic keeper Al Habsi.
Mohamed Diame was forced off with an injury despite picking it up while fouling Jack Rodwell, a challenge which earned him a yellow card.
The first of Howard's top-drawer saved was made after injury-time was up at the end of the first half, the keeper deflecting away Rodallega's low, hard shot with his chest.
Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport
Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
Team Line-up:
Wigan: Al Habsi, Boyce, Gary Caldwell, Alcaraz, Figueroa, Diame, Watson, N'Zogbia, McCarthy, Cleverley, Rodallega; subs: Kirkland, Gohouri, Di Santo, Moses, Gomez, McArthur, Sammon
Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Neville, Rodwell, Arteta, Cahill, Anichebe; subs: Mucha, Bilyaletdinov, Beckford, Gueye, Coleman, Vellios, Duffy
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