Wigan Athletic 1 - 0 Sunderland

Hugo the hero for Wigan

Updated: November 28, 2009, 8:59 AM UK

Wigan produced the ideal response to last week's 9-1 thrashing by Tottenham as Hugo Rodallega's solitary goal was enough to beat Sunderland.

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Former Latics boss Steve Bruce's return to the DW Stadium was an unhappy one as the striker he signed 10 months ago inflicted a fifth away defeat of the campaign.

The Black Cats barely threatened throughout and after Wigan's Jason Scotland hit the post in the first half Rodallega's sixth Premier League goal of the season decided the contest.

Wigan are now unbeaten in their last five home matches while the Black Cats have won just one of their last 17 away league games.

Manager Roberto Martinez had shown his ruthless side in his team selection, with left-back Erik Edman dropped from the squad completely after his horror show against Aaron Lennon at White Hart Lane.

And his players, watched by chairman Dave Whelan - who had flown in from Barbados after previously criticising Bruce for making "dodgy signings'' which contributed to the Spurs defeat - seemed to respond to the Spaniard's call for commitment.

They had two early half-chances inside the opening eight minutes, Rodallega diverting Charles N'Zogbia's cross into the side-netting and Paul Scharner shooting low at goalkeeper Marton Fulop.

However, up against a striker of the calibre of the in-form Darren Bent, scorer of nine goals this season, they could not afford to switch off.

Emmerson Boyce produced a perfectly-judged tackle to deny the England international just as he looked certain to score past goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Midway through the half Wigan were unlucky not to take the lead when N'Zogbia dispossessed Paulo da Silva on the right of the penalty area and crossed for Scotland to hit a first-time shot which beat Fulop but rebounded back off the post.

Turner was booked on the half-hour for going through the back of Scharner and the Black Cats centre-back's blushes were then spared by Fulop.

The goalkeeper produced a brilliant finger-tip save to tip his team-mate's header from Rodallega's inswinging free-kick around the upright.

George McCarthy was next to almost score an own goal as he thrashed Rodallega's centre over the crossbar.

Bruce replaced midfielder Steed Malbranque with striker Fraizer Campbell at half-time and the substitution appeared to have the desired effect.

Five minutes after the restart Andy Reid's shot clipped Hendry Thomas to dip just over the crossbar and from the corner Bardsley's ambitious long-range effort was also deflected wide.

Bent had a chance to put his side ahead in the 54th minute from Reid's hanging ball to the far post but he headed back across goal and outside the post.

Martinez immediately replaced Scotland with Jordi Gomez, pushing Rodallega into a central position.

The Spanish midfielder's 62nd-minute cross almost created the opening goal when he picked out Titus Bramble but he headed straight at Fulop.

As the pressure increased on Wigan their play, somewhat understandably considering recent events, became more erratic.

Rodallega forced a low save from Fulop after Scharner lifted the ball over the defence and then fired wide from N'Zogbia's lay-off.

Campbell's mis-kick inside the six-yard area from Reid's cross let Wigan off the hook.

And the Black Cats were made to pay in the 76th minute when Scharner's ball forward put Rodallega up against Da Silva.

The Paraguay international made a mess of his challenge, falling to the floor, and the Wigan striker skipped past him to roll a left-footed shot past Fulop from a tight angle and into the far corner.

Rodallega should have made the game safe in the 83rd minute but side-footed straight at the Sunderland keeper.

There were some more frantic exchanges late on but Wigan held on through four minutes of added time to record their first clean sheet since September 12.

Martinez proud after "testing week"

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez praised his players for the way they responded to last week's 9-1 mauling at Tottenham by beating Sunderland 1-0 at the DW Stadium.

"It has been a very testing week,'' admitted Martinez. "The reaction today, to get a clean sheet and stop Sunderland playing - they only had one shot on target - it showed all the ingredients needed in adversity.

"I was extremely proud of the players. They were desperate to get on the pitch and they showed it. Everyone at the football club is a lot better after the week we have had. It is not frustrating because it is the reality of where we are. The work is towards getting rid of the inconsistency and trying to fulfil our potential.

"Today was a cup final within a league competition. We had to win, we had to perform, we had to react and we did everything. The fans could easily have shown their frustration but it was exactly the opposite.

"Everyone has affected their own performance and they showed that today. Many aspects of the things that went wrong on Sunday we corrected today.''

Martinez dropped Erik Edman from the squad completely as Maynor Figueroa was deemed fit to return. The Wigan boss said he felt the Swede, who has played only two league matches this season, needed the break.

"He came back against Fulham after 18 months out (with injury) and we need to make sure he regains his full fitness. At the moment I think it was better for him to come out and re-focus and make sure he gets back to his best.''

It proved to be an unhappy return to Wigan for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce.

"The goal we gave away summed up our performance,'' he said. "We gave the ball away twice in the middle of the park, the centre-back was brushed aside by Rodallega and the goalkeeper has come for it when he didn't have to.

"If he had stayed on his line it is an impossible angle for him to score - and that sums up our afternoon.''

Earlier this week Bruce was criticised by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan for making "dodgy signings'' which contributed to the Tottenham defeat.

"He doesn't look a bad signing now does he?'' said the Black Cats boss of Rodallega. "I've seen the chairman before the game. He didn't have to explain himself. It was perfectly amicable, it was fine.''