Two goals one at either end of the halves by deadline day loanees Ryan s Shotton and Nick Powell secured three home points and a clean sheet home win for Wigan against Ipswich but these bare statistics  don’t reflect on a game in which Wigan were once again indebted to the heroics of Scott Carson for a string of fine saves. 

Another game saw another myriad of changes in the Wigan line up, with Shotton and Powell both making their home league debuts and recalls for Rogne, Beausejour, Barnett and Watson   with McManaman pushed into the lone striker role.

Wigan were almost behind within the first minute when Ipswich who looked dangerous from set pieces all afternoon took a corner and the header from Chambers went unchallenged but bounced off the pitch onto the cross bar. Ipswich were a constant threat in the first half especially down their left where they were given far too much time and Anderson was the standout player for the visitors

As with all the other home games at the DW so far this season the game was played at a frenetic pace and end to end with honest endeavour linked to some skilful passing not least from McArthur and Watson ensured the fans were on the edge of their seats for the majority of the game.

Ipswich were a big physical team as you would expect from a McCarthy side however  Wigan took the lead from a  corner, Powell’s ball went to the back of the penalty area where Shotton rose unchallenged to head his first goal for Wigan.

This sparked Ipswich back into life and the pressed forwards looking for the equaliser that their enterprising play deserved and Carson had to be at his best , first with a point blank save from Murphy and then pushed Skuse’s powerful shot around the post.

Wigan pushed forwards on the counter with Powell and McClean looking dangerous but the moves broke down close to the area.

The second half started off scrappily and the best chance in the early stages fell to Rogne whose powerful set piece header bounce into the pitch and narrowly wide. Ipswich continued to dominate possession but unable to find the final touch and the next chance fell to McManaman who snatched at his shot , injuring himself in the process and this resulted in him being substituted by Espinoza after receiving first aid from the referee.

The game continued to ebb and flow with Powell and McClean going close for Wigan and at the other end a goal mouth scramble saw Rogne and Watson put their bodies on the line to block the goal bound shots.

Ipswich didn’t give up as Wigan defended deeper and deeper  and Carson once again had to be at full stretch to keep out a fierce Berra drive.

As Ipswich pushed men forwards looking for the equaliser Wigan quickly broke, Gerken appeared to have the ball under control but under pressure from Powell the Wigan midfielder stole the ball and cheekily chipped it into the empty next to seal a hard fought victory for the Latics.

Line up and Player ratings

Carson……8, MOM, kept Wigan in the game again today.

Shotton….6, took his goal well, was worked hard by the Ipswich attack, withdrawn

Rogne….7, looked the most assured of the defensive back four

Barnett….6.5, steady

Perch….6.5 , played well out of position.

Watson….7, looked to control the game.

McClean….7, looked sharp

McArthur….6, worked hard

Powell…..7, Worked hard, took goal well.

Beausejour…..6, flitted in and out of the game. withdrawn

McManaman…..6, not at his attacking best, withdrawn

Subs Used

Espinoza…..6, Looked lively.

Boyce…..6, Steady

McCann…..N/A

Att 13,747

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