Wigan Athletic 0 Everton 1

The Premier League game between Wigan Athletic and Everton at the DW Stadium on Saturday Jan 30 2010.

Tim Cahill’s sixth goal of the season stretched Everton’s unbeaten run to an impressive nine games as they overcame Wigan Athletic, whose wayward first-half finishing plunged them even deeper after winning only one of their last eight league games.

A compelling first half saw Everton territorially superior, enjoying a greater percentage of possession although Wigan created the two clearest cut opportunities with a further half-chance also wasted.

As early as the second minute Landon Donovan tested the home goalkeeper, Vladimir Stojkovic, who saved in an unorthodox manner on his home debut. Steven Pienaar’s long-range attempt was deflected over and Stojkovic was again in action twice, saving from Cahill before the home side launched a genuine response.

Jason Scotland split the Everton defence in the 19th minute but Hugo Rodallega, with only Tim Howard to beat, shot against the advancing Everton goalkeeper.

Then Rodallega reciprocated six minutes later, only for Scotland to wastefully blaze over. In between, the visitors had again threatened, Louis Saha driving a deflected shot against a post. Saha again went close heading in from the left only for Stojkovic to save splendidly in acrobatic manner.

Scotland had a further opportunity in the 38th minute but was again wasteful from 18 yards and when the second half commenced it proved equally eventful.

Stojkovic save a Leighton Baines free kick, Wigan broke swiftly down the right only for Rodallega to once more shoot over.

The referee then sparked controversy adjudging that John Heitinga had impeded Charles N’Zogbia marginally outside the penalty area when it appeared the offence had been committed inside.

Wigan substitute Paul Scharner went close with two attempts, Marouane Fellaini’s 74th minute tap-in was ruled out for offside before Cahill settled it six minutes from the end when heading in a Baines corner.

Then in injury time N’Zogbia hit the crossbar in injury time.