Premier League - Rodallega earns Wigan victory

Eurosport - Mon, 25 May 08:28:00 2009

Hugo Rodallega scored the only goal of the game as Wigan beat Portsmouth 1-0 on the final day of the Premier League season at the JJB Stadium.

Hugo Rodallega, FOOTBALL - 0

With nothing riding on the game with both sides clear of relegation and unable to challenge for Europe, pride was the only thing at stake.

Wigan - who had been on a poor run of form recently - started the brighter with Antonio Valencia making life difficult for the Portsmouth defence with his pace down the flanks.

Daniel De Ridder had a number of chances - but seemed to lack the killer instinct in front of goal when it mattered.

De Ridder won a free kick in a dangerous position for Wigan after seven minutes, but over hit his cross.

Portsmouth's best attempt in the early exchanges came when Pedro Medes just fired a free kick from the edge of the area just over the goal with Asmir Begovic at full stretch.

But Wigan took the lead on 26 minutes when Rodallega capitalised on a mistake by Sol Campbell in the Portsmouth box.

Charles N'Zogbia fired in a cross from the left and Campbell seemed to have the ball under control at the near post - but somehow managed to let the ball through and Rodallega had the simplest of finishes at the far post.

The goal just spurred Wigan on and they had a chance to double their lead 10 minutes later through skipper Mario Melchiot.

Melchiot got forward and played a neat one-two with Rodallega before finding himself one-on-one with Begovic, but the keeper made a brilliant save with his legs and then the Dutch defender blasted over the rebound.

The second half was much the same with Wigan on top and De Ridder firing wide.

When played onside by Noe Pamarot on the left, De Ridder somehow managed to fire into the side netting when it seemed easier to score.

Minutes later De Ridder showed it really was not his day when he fired high and wide from the edge of the box.

But the game played out to its conclusion with both sides easing up towards the end and Wigan taking the three points to end the season in 11th place, while Portsmouth were just behind in 14th.

James Andrew / Eurosport

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  1. Rock and roll is a moran

    Never mind that the goalie­ was wongly named, Pedro Mendes wasnt even­ playing!!!

    But back to what actually happened and its­ fair to say that Wigan completely outclassed a very­ poor looking Pompey team. The back four look off the­ pace (not sure how Herman stayed on the pitch after­ appearing to push referee Dowd) and only Utaka caused­ any problems with his pace. With half decent finishing,­ Wigan would have won comfortably. I fear Portsmouth are­ in for a busy summer, once they sort out their manager.

    From guzs, on Tue 26 May 5:08PM

  2. Well done for staying up Pompey! Big clear-out over­ the summer; Campbell, Heriedersson, Distin, Mullins,­ Crouch, Nugent etc all to go. Lets get some young­ exciting players that want to play for Pompey, not just­ to earn money!

    PLAY UP POMPEY, POMPEY PLAY UP!
    PLAY UP­ POMPEY, POMPEY PLAY UP!

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Mon 25 May 5:37AM

  3. Who writes this twaddle?

    'Portsmouth's best­ attempt in the early exchanges came when Pedro Medes­ just fired a free kick from the edge of the area just­ over the goal with Asmir Begovic at full­ stretch'

    Begovich IS the Pompey keeper!!

    Who­ writes this stuff?

    From Lord Dambo of Purbrookshire, on Mon 25 May 5:30AM

  4. bring on next season well done little wigan

    From craig.mccarthy3, on Sun 24 May 10:46PM

  5. at least we should end up on a high note with 3 points,­ 11th place is ok but should have been so much­ better.with zaki scharner and valencia away and mido­ anybodys guess will have to be some shrewd buying by­ brucie.

    From AUDREY G, on Wed 20 May 5:31PM
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