Wigan sink 10-man Wolves

Wigan climbed out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Wolves at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Roberto Martinez’s side desperately needed a win after a poor start to the season and they were given a helping hand as Wolves captain Karl Henry was sent off early in the first half for a reckless challenge on Jordi Gomez.

The hosts made Henry pay for that mistake as Gomez struck in the second half before Hugo Rodallega added the clinching second goal late on.

Mick McCarthy’s team have now suffered four successive defeats, allowing Wigan to climb out of the relegation zone at the expense of their opponents.

Wigan had to play several minutes without their captain Antolin Alcaraz in the early stages as he left the pitch to receive stitches in a head wound.

But it was Wolves who went down to 10 men permanently when referee Lee Mason showed Henry a red card for a foul on Gomez that caught the Spaniard on his shin.

Henry has been criticised for his aggressive tackling several times this season, but the midfielder has no intention of changing his style as his crude lunge on Gomez showed all too clearly.

Although they had the numerical advantage, Wigan initially struggled to take advantage and the home fans began to show their frustration when Franco Di Santo was unable to get on the end of Charles N’Zogbia’s cross.

Former Chelsea striker Di Santo then saw an effort deflected behind for a corner. Wolves were unable to clear the resulting set-piece and N’Zogbia crossed back into the area for Gomez to head just wide.

Wigan were close to taking the lead early in the second half when a fine move between Rodallega and Di Santo left the Argentinian just six yards from goal.

But Di Santo scuffed his shot just enough to allow Marcus Hahnemann to get a hand to the ball and Wolves were able to clear.

Martinez’s men finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Dave Edwards pulled back N’Zogbia on the edge of the area.

Gomez took the free-kick and curled a superb effort into the top-left corner.

That shattered Wolves’ morale and in the 85th minute Rodallega put the result beyond doubt when Christophe Berra’s attempt to cut out N’Zogbia’s pass deflected off the striker’s foot and past Hahnemann.