Share

Wigan draw with Sunderland

Wigan - Sunderland's record signing Asamoah Gyan scored on his debut after coming on as a second-half substitute but saw Wigan grab a late equaliser in a drab 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Wigan's Antolin Alcaraz got the leveller four minutes from time after 24-year-old Ghanaian World Cup star Gyan, a 13million pound signing on the closing day of the transfer window, had scored in the 66th minute.

Wigan, though, will be far from content as they showed little enterprise in front of goal despite playing for most of the match agaisnt 10 men after Sunderland's repeat offender Lee Cattermole was sent-off.

Cattermole got his marching orders from referee Peter Walton in the 22nd minute for his second booking inside four minutes with the second one for a foul on Hugo Rodallega.

It was the fifth red card of his career and came only hours after he had given an interview saying that he had an ill-deserved hardman image.

If Walton hoped that his decisive dealing with Cattermole would inspire the other players to settle down he and the fans were to be disappointed as the first-half produced just three shots, two of which sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Both managers tried to shake things up at the beginning of the second-half as Sunderland boss Steve Bruce introduced Gyan for his debut in place of Danny Welbeck.

Bruce's successor as Wigan manager Roberto Martinez sent on Charles N'Zogbia, the French midfielder having sat out the first-half on the bench following his proposed pre-transfer window closing move to Birmingham fell apart.

It was Gyan, though, who had the most impact as he broke the deadlock shooting home from inside the area after being set up by Jordan Henderson.

Gyan had certainly energised the visitors attack and went close in the 72nd minute with a shot from outside the area that went left of the goal.

Wigan had still to trouble the Sunderland goalkeeper despite their one man advantage and their six million pound summer signing Mauro Boselli's total lack of confidence saw him miss with an easy header shortly before being replaced in the 74th minute.

However, Wigan somehow managed to find the resourcefulness to level as Alcaraz rose to head past Simon Mignolet with the cross supplied by Boselli's replacement Tom Cleverley.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE