Premier League: Wigan 4 Blackburn 3

James McCarthy bagged a brace as Wigan recorded their first Premier League victory of 2011 in dramatic fashion.

Hugo Rodallega, and Ben Watson from the penalty spot, scored the others to just see off a plucky Rovers team who responded through Jason Roberts, Christopher Samba and a Brett Emerton spot kick.

The home side started the stronger with Charles N’Zogbia quickly into the play, the Frenchman sending an early free-kick whistling just wide of Paul Robinson’s far post.

But Wigan were indebted to Ali Al Habsi for a couple of fine saves to keep them on level terms, the first from a Morten Gamst Pedersen thunderbolt and the second from a mis-hit cross from Martin Olsson.

Victor Moses then blew a great chance to give Wigan the lead when he led a three-on-one break, only to ignore Rodallega to his right, sending the pass long after opportunity had gone.

Rovers made them pay mid-way through the half with a simple but very effective opening goal as Emerton found himself in space down the right. His cross was side-footed home by the evergreen Roberts, lining up against his old club.

It was nearly 2-0 when Benjani fluffed a free header on the edge of the six-yard box, but the Latics took advantage of the slip to equalise 10 minutes before the interval.

Emmerson Boyce burst forward into the penalty area and saw his left-foot shot saved by Robinson, but McCarthy slotted home from a tight angle to restore parity.

Wigan edged in front four minutes after the restart when Rodallega rounded Robinson and slotted home, and the points looked safe when McCarthy added his second with a superb left-foot volley from inside the area.

Rovers had other ideas, though, and Samba reduced the arrears to one with a bullet header from a Pedersen corner just before the hour mark.

However, Watson restored the two-goal advantage with a penalty midway through the second period after Michel Salgado had tripped Momo Diame.

Emerton made it a nerve-jangling final 10 minutes when he slotted home from the spot after Boyce had fouled David Dunn in the area, but Wigan held on to move out of the bottom three.