Premier League: Newcastle 1 Wigan 0

Yohan Cabaye’s late winner handed Newcastle United a 1-0 win over Wigan to keep Alan Pardew’s side in the Premier League top four.

Cabaye struck in the closing stages after the visitors at St James’ Park saw a host of goalscoring opportunities pass them by, with the French playmaker finding the top corner with deadly precision from 25 yards out.

It was Wigan who started on the front foot and after Mohammed Diame had seen his penalty appeal turned down, they created the first real opportunity of the match.

Steven Taylor could only clear Emmerson Boyce’s cross as far as Victor Moses, whose left-footed volley was superbly turned over the bar by Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

The home side finally threatened Ali Al-Habsi’s goal just after the half-hour mark, as Jonas Gutierrez’s cross was met by the head of Leon Best, but Al-Habsi reacted well to make the save.

Taylor headed just wide from the resulting corner before Diame stung the palms of Krul with a trademark drive from distance.

Pardew sacrificed Best at the break in order to introduce Hatem Ben Arfa, a change that spurred Newcastle into a more attacking mindset.

Gutierrez’s cross was volleyed over by Gabriel Obertan before Demba Ba’s flicked header was stopped down low by Al-Habsi.

Wigan continued to counter attack with menace but failed to create clear-cut chances in their final third.

They were made to pay for their profligacy as substitute Sylvain Marveaux fed Cabaye, who curled wonderfully past Al-Habsi into the top corner.

There was an air of inevitability about the goal, which came after a particularly good Wigan spell.

Though an unconvincing win, Newcastle once again found a way to snatch three points as their dream start to the Premier League season rolls on.