Wigan Athletic 0 v Manchester City 1: match report

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 - 1 MANCHESTER CITY

Monday, January 16 20:00

Premier League

DW Stadium

Read a full match report of the Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Manchester at DW Stadium on Monday Jan 16, 2012.

Winner: Edin Dezko's goal was enough to ensure Manchester City took three points against Wigan Photo: ACTION IMAGES

This was winning ugly. This was the type of gritty, defensively resolute display that title campaigns are built on. If Manchester City’s players find themselves on an open-top bus in May with the Premier League trophy on the dashboard and a song on their lips, they will look back warmly on events here not for aesthetic reasons but for three Premier League points and one of the psychological variety.

City had found themselves assailed with questions in recent weeks, with critics wondering whether they ­possess the stomach for the fight. The league is not the adrenalin dash of a successful Cup run. The league involves relentless endeavour, 38 games of concentration and strong nerves.

The old canard of “how will they cope with a cold January night in Wigan” was thrown at City. And they answered it. Roberto Martínez’s side threw everything at them, particularly late on. They dealt with it. When the excellent Victor Moses started running at them, Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott stood firm.

City’s victory, their first on the road in the league since fireworks were lighting up the sky, was achieved without some famous names, absent through injury, suspension or Africa Cup of Nations’ duty. Missing luminaries from Mario Balotelli to Yaya Touré, Micah Richards to Vincent Kompany, City found inspiration from other quarters.

Edin Dzeko scored, heading in his first goal since that Nov 5 win at Loftus Road. Gareth Barry was outstanding in central midfield, making some crucial interceptions when Wigan attempted to whip up a storm.

Telegraph.co.uk

King eyes new Spurs deal

Defender Ledley King is determined to earn a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur.
The 30-year-old is Spurs' longest serving player having come through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane but his contract is up at the end of the season.
And after managing just six matches last term, King has been warned by Harry Redknapp that he must play three times that many this term if he is to stay with the club.
King admits he needs to play more, but is confident he can achieve that and can't see himself playing for any other club.He said: "This is my biggest season at Spurs yet. It is the first time I have been in a situation like this - when my contract is up. So it is a big season."I have to prove I am still worth it. I can't see myself pulling on a shirt for anybody else at this stage of my career - although a player can never say never. "At the end of the day, I just want to stay fit and if I can play, let's see what position that puts me in at the end of the season."It is down to me to play the games. If I don't play enough games, it is a difficult position.

"We will see what the situation is when all is said and done. If I get to 20 [matches], I am not going to stop! I will keep playing as many as I can.

"At the moment I am just trying to bed in, get a bit of fitness and hopefully not get any niggles. If I can do that, I can get stronger and keep playing."

King admits it can be frustrating for him to spend most of his time in the gym and pool preparing for a match.

messed up

"I have to work in the gym to keep everything strong and spend time in the swimming pool. It is only that I don't get on the field," he said.

"Harry sees me on the field just the day before the game, which is why he says I do nothing.

"But the manager gives me a lot of confidence. He believes in me and it is nice that, if I can get myself right and keep myself fit, he still gives me the opportunity to go out and play. Some managers wouldn't, so I am grateful he stuck by me.

"It is only three games at the moment, so I have got to keep working hard and stay fit for the rest of the season.

"Last season I had a groin problem and have worked hard over the summer to get that right.

"Then I came back feeling good about the groin and the knee needed a bit of a clean-up again. That messed up my pre-season and obviously knocked me back.

"I was hoping to get a proper pre-season in this year, but that didn't happen, so I have had to build back up again. Hopefully it is behind me now."

On Friday 30th September at 12:30pm (BST), Ledley King will be answering fans questions live on the Barclays Football Facebook page.

Just two days before Spurs face North London rivals Arsenal at White Hart Lane, King will appear before fans to give his opinions on the match and the 2011 /12 Barclays Premier League so far.

Fans can submit questions to the defender in advance via the Barclays Football Facebook page and the Barclays Footy Twitter account, as well as during the interview on Friday. The best questions will be put to King on the day, giving fans the chance to interact live with a Barclays Premier League player.www.facebook.com/barclaysfootball

Source: www.premierleague.com

Everton vs Liverpool preview

Old foes Everton and Liverpool will lock horns once more at Goodison Park on Saturday in the 216th Merseyside derby.

For David Moyes it is the chance to build on some steadily improving home form that has seen the Blues recover from that shock opening game defeat to QPR to go unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions in front of their own supporters.

They also have fond memoires of last season's home encounter with Liverpool, when they strolled to a comfortable 2-0 win thanks to goals from Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill.

It is a very different Liverpool team though that will take to the field on Saturday, complete with a new - or should that be familiar - man in the dugout.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish is preparing to return to Goodison Park as Liverpool manager for the first time since 1991.

Back then Dalglish famously quit the Anfield club just days after a tumultuous 4-4 FA Cup tie with the Toffees, citing the pressure of the job and the strain it had taken on him over the years.

His return last January was equally dramatic and the intervening nine months has seen him stamp his authority on the squad with a number of big money incomings and notable departures
The situation could not be more different across Stanley Park, with Toffees boss Moyes forced to work on a shoestring budget, raising nearly £15million in player sales over the summer but only bringing in three loan signings.

Despite the financial disparity the Blues could go above their old rivals with a win on Saturday, with a game in hand.

Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt and Everton's Tim Cahill appear to relish this fixture more than most and the pair have five derby goals to their name. The Australian has scored more derby goals than any other Everton player since the war.

The game could hinge on referee Martin Atkinson, who faces the unenviable task of trying to manage the Premier League's most volatile encounter. This match-up has seen 19 red cards since the start of the Premier League, more than any other fixture.

Atkinson showed six yellows and two reds the last time he was on duty in a Merseyside derby, at Anfield in February 2010.

Therefore the derby spoils could hinge on who keeps their head in the white hot atmosphere of a packed Goodison Park on Saturday lunchtime.
Team news

Cahill is a doubt for Everton after he sustained a shin injury in a challenge with Manchester City's Vincent Kompany last weekend. The Australian hasn't trained all week but Moyes will leave it as late as possible before deciding on the 32-year-old's fitness.

Striker Louis Saha is pushing for a recall after appearing as a substitute against City last weekend but fellow forward Victor Anichebe remains side-lined until December.

For Liverpool, skipper Steven Gerrard looks likely to start from the bench as he edges his way back to full fitness. The England man has played just 25 minutes of competitive football since recovering from a groin operation.

Glen Johnson is out with hamstring strain while Daniel Agger will also miss out as he recovers from a rib injury.

Possible starting XIs

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman, Coleman, Cahill, Saha.

Liverpool: Reina, Enrique, Carragher, Kelly, Skrtel, Kuyt, Downing, Lucas, Adam, Suarez, Carroll.

Source: www.skysports.com