The Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Sunderland at the DW Stadium on Saturday Nov 28 2009.
Wigan Athletic regained their pride as well as the three points thanks to Hugo Rodallega's second-half winner as his team bounced back in style against Sunderland following their 9-1 rout at Tottenham.
The Colombian striker's sixth goal this term gave Roberto Martinez's side an invaluable victory as they put their White Hart Lane nightmare behind them to ease their growing relegation fears.
Rodallega struck in the 76th minute as Sunderland - fresh from a 1-0 victory over Arsenal - paid the penalty for being guilty of the weak defending that had allowed Tottenham to run riot.
The goal arrived when Sunderland centre-half Paulo Da Silva allowed Paul Scharner's hoof into the penalty area and he collapsed under a challenge from Rodallega who then calmly rolled the ball beyond Marton Fulop from an acute angle.
It was just about what Wigan deserved at the DW Stadium as Martinez's charges ensured a miserable return to these parts for Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
Wigan dispelled fears they would be affected by a White Hart Lane hangover were first to threaten a breakthrough through Paul Scharner but his low shot was well saved by Marton Fulop in the eighth minute.
What set the tone for their performance, though, were the aggressive instincts of midfield duo Mohamed Diame and Hendry Thomas who ensured Wigan enjoyed the upper hand of an error-strewn contest.
Jason Scotland almost put Wigan ahead in the 26th minute when he rattled a post from 12 14 yards out after Charles N'Zogbia had dispossessed Paulo da Silva and then Scharner skied the rebound.
Fulop then came to Sunderland's rescue when Rodallega's free-kick was inadvertently headed goalwards by Michael Turner but the Hungarian pulled off an excellent save to spare his colleague's blushes.
Then Sunderland defender George McCartney sliced Rodallega's cross just wide of Fulop's goal as Wigan enjoyed the upper hand.
It was enough to prompt Sunderland manager Steve Bruce into half-time changes and he sent on Fraizer Campbell in place of the ineffective Steed Malbranque and went for a two-pronged attack to give Darren Bent some much-needed assistance.
The change of formation almost invigorated Sunderland and almost paid instant dividends as Andy Reid saw a 22-yard shot deflected just over Chris Kirkland's goal and then Bent headed the Irishman's cross narrowly wide.
Back came Wigan and Emmerson Boyce nodded a cross from substitute Jordi Gomez, on for Jason Scotland, straight into Fulop's arms.
Wigan continued to wobble at the back with Titus Bramble re-producing the form that made him a figure of fun for Sunderland fans during his Newcastle days and suggested the visitors might be able to follow up their win over Arsenal in style.
Thankfully for Wigan the Sunderland defence looked fragile and Rodallega - thrust into attack following Scotland's substitution, forced Fulop into another fine save before his decisive strike.
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