Manchester United Close In On Title With Wigan Win

A very late Carrick goal handed the champions all three points at the JJB and leaves them just one point away from yet another title.

Wigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United

Manchester United look to be closing in on yet another Premier League title after coming from behind to secure a hard-fought victory at a rain-swept JJB Stadium.

A thrilling first-half saw chances aplenty for both sides but with Wigan, crucially, heading into the interval with the lead.

Indeed the home side might have gone ahead in the opening minutes when a mistake by Jonny Evans allowed Antonio Valencia clear through on goal.

Yet whilst the Ecuadorian’s run into the box was impressive, his finish wasn’t, and he chipped a poor effort wide of goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men came storming back and had chances of their own as early as the tenth minute.

Dimitar Berbatov handed Wayne Rooney a glorious opportunity to score but the England international conspired to head his cross well wide with only Richard Kingson to beat.

Minutes later and a flowing move from the visitors saw Rooney and Berbatov combine again to tee up Michael Carrick who prodded another effort just wide.

Yet the league leaders were not having it all their own way and were grateful to Edwin van der Sar who did well to punch a Charles N’Zogbia free kick to safety.

The Dutch shot stopper was also called into action shortly afterwards when Hugo Rodallega beat Evans but could only fire straight at the veteran.

However, Wigan were not to be denied and just before the half-hour mark they took the lead.

A long ball by Lee Cattermole up to Rodallega saw the striker challenging with Nemanja Vidic in the air.

As the ball dropped, the bounce seemed to confuse both players but Rodallega was quickest to the rebound and swept it past Van der Sar with a composed finish.

The goal knocked United out of their stride and with the wet conditions playing a part, they struggled to regain their earlier fluency.

However, as the half drew to a close they finally managed to slip into gear once again.

A lovely move involving several players eventually saw Ronaldo slip in Rooney for a shot but again the England striker couldn’t find the target despite being well-placed.

Undeterred Wigan sprinted down the other end of the field with Rodallega shooting straight at Van der Sar as the half ended in much the same exhilarating fashion as it began.

The home side began the second half in determined fashion and with United unable to force Kingson into a save, Ferguson changed things on the hour mark sending on Carlos Tevez for Anderson.

It was to prove to be an inspired substitution as within minutes of his arrival the Argentine had pulled the Red Devils back on level terms.

For the first time all game Carrick found himself in space outside the area. The midfielder hit a low shot which looked to be heading wide before Tevez flicked it past Kingson for the equaliser.

With half an hour still remaining the visitors went in search of the winner but were frustrated by a combination of some superb Wigan play and poor finishing.

Both Rooney and Ronaldo saw decent efforts flash wide of the target and with time running out the champions looked to be heading for a frustrating draw.

Yet with just five minutes remaining Ronaldo and O’Shea combined to tee up Carrick who slotted home a sumptuous left-footed finish to leave United just one point from the title.

Wigan: Kingson, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Scharner, Brown, N'Zogbia (Mido, 82), Rodallega.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Scholes (Giggs, 75), Anderson (Tevez, 58), Ronaldo, Berbatov (Park, 88), Rooney.

GOALS

1-2 Manchester United (Carrick, 86)

1-1 Manchester United (Tevez, 62)

1-0 Wigan Athletic (Rodallega, 29)

Gill Clark, Goal.com