Ameobi goal enough for Magpies to defeat Wigan

Wigan 0-1 Newcastle

A Shola Ameobi goal after 19 minutes was enough to earn Newcastle a win away to Wigan at the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In the absence of the injured Andy Carroll, Ameobi led the line for the Magpies and put his side in front early in the first half with a close range finish after Peter Lovenkrands’ effort came back off the post. Ameobi should have scored earlier but made a hash of a close range header as Alan Pardew’s side dominated proceedings early doors.

Tom Cleverley was the source of most of Wigan’s attacks in the opening period and his curling effort forced a good save from Steve Harper before Gary Caldwell crashed a header off the crossbar and Hugo Rodallega blazed the rebound over the bar from close range.

Fabricio Coloccini headed against the bar down the other end after a well worked corner routine as Newcastle finished the half the stronger side.

Wigan were better after the break but struggled to create any clear opportunities and looked vulnerable on the counter attack. Newcastle hit the bar once more through Steven Taylor and never really looked like relinquishing their lead against a Wigan side that looked very ordinary in the absence of top man Charles N’Zogbia.

The Magpies held on for a victory that sees them move up to 10th in the table, while Wigan remain in 17th, a point clear of the relegation zone.