Filed under: Manchester City, Wigan, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Ali Al-Habsi's first-half blunder gifted David Silva a goal - and Manchester City three points - in a drab encounter against Wigan at Eastlands.City were distinctly under par in a game they expected to win comfortably and they had to rely on Silva's fortunate goal to close the gap to Arsenal down to four points.
City's preparations were rocked by the announcement on Thursday that defender Kolo Toure has been suspended indefinitely after failing a drugs test.
Reports have suggested his urine sample tested positive after the Ivorian took one of his wife's dietary pills and the player is currently awaiting the results of a secondary sample before officials decide what sanctions to take.
Mario Balotelli had the first opportunity after just four minutes as he tried his luck from 25 yards and Wigan goalkeeper Al-Habsi almost made a mess of it as he spilled the ball around the post.
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But the game remained mostly quiet until the 23rd minute when Carlos Tevez came closest to unlocking Wigan's defence as he jinxed past Ben Watson and Maynor Figueroa but pushed his shot wide off the far post while a Silva shot 90 seconds later also just shaded wide.
After half an hour, a dreadful error by Vincent Kompany gifted James McCarthy the perfect opportunity to score for Wigan from just six yards out but he blazed over Joe Hart's crossbar when he should have at least hit the target.
But Kompany's error was nothing compared to Al-Habsi's as he let the tamest possible shot from Silva sneak away from him and through his legs to give City the easiest of goals. Antolin Alcaraz hit the post for Wigan straight after the interval as Martinez's men played with more drive and focus and McCarthy also went close soon after as Hart pulled off an impressive close-range block.
City offered desperately little of note themselves and that will concern Roberto Mancini but they held on for the three points as Wigan also lacked the killer instinct required to get any reward for their bright second-half spell of possession.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/03/05/manchester-city-1-wigan-0-ali-al-habsis-shocker-gifts-city-thr/
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