Filed under: Wigan, Swansea, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Ben Watson's second-half penalty miss forced Roberto Martinez to settle for a point on his return to Swansea.Premier League new-boys City got off the mark in the top flight, although they were fortunate to escape with a share of the spoils.
The Welsh side had goalkeeper Michel Vorm to thank after he pushed out Watson's 73rd-minute spot-kick.
It wasn't the first time the rub of the green went in their favour after Wigan hit the crossbar in quick succession through Jordi Gomez and Victor Moses in this stalemate.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
2 mins: Danny Graham misses a golden chance to hand Swansea the lead when he fires straight at Ali Al-Habsi from close range.
14 mins: Graham is again provided with another opportunity to break the deadlock, but can only head wide.
42 mins: A strong burst by Moses ends in a tame shot wide in Wigan's first attack of note.
45 mins: Gomez shoots straight at Swansea goalkeeper Vorm.
49 mins: Scott Sinclair's free-kick from 20 yards out hits the wall.
55 mins: Pinball in the Wigan box as Graham adjust his feet quickly enough to turn home Angel Rangel's drilled shot.
61 mins: Wayne Routledge is inches away from opening Swansea's account as he drives a low shot just wide.
65 mins: Gomez's shot hits the crossbar and bounces out.
73 mins: Vorm saves Watson's poorly hit spot-kick, awarded after Gomez is tripped by Ashley Williams.
81 mins: Stephen Dobbie sees his long-rnage shot palmed out by Al-Habsi.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Swansea are off and running although they will know these are the games they have to win. They must remember they can't afford to spurn chances such as these if they are to survive. But for Martinez, it's a second point in as many games and he will settle for that.
REACTION:
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers admitted his side did their homework on Watson's penalty-kick history:
"The save kept us in it. All credit to him and to our analysts who had primed him well about the way that Ben Watson takes his penalties. He stuck it in the same corner against Norwich last week and against us here in the Carling Cup last season."
On his side's first Premier League point:
"It was the least we deserved. I am very proud of the players in terms of the way they played and the manner in which they battled. All round it was an excellent performance and one that was deserving of the point we achieved."
On his side's goal threat:
"The goals will come, that's for sure. We controlled this game and we are just waiting for one our chances to go in."
On Vorm:
"It was a great save. He has a good record of saving penalties from his time in Holland. He has kept a clean sheet and that's very difficult to do at this level."
Martinez was left to rue Watson's penalty miss and the other chances that went begging:
"When you miss a penalty and hit the woodwork twice, you think 'Yes' we should have won it. I suppose it is a case of two points dropped."
On the penalty miss:
"I have never seen Ben miss a penalty and he is technically superb. He has a good record and it was one of those things."
On his warm reception:
"I had a hostile welcome last year, when we came to play at the Liberty Stadium, so I didn't expect it again. This is a great club and my feelings will always be strong. However, today, it's just disappointing not to have won."
SWANSEA 0 WIGAN 0
PLAYER MARKING:
Swansea (4-3-3): Vorm 6; Rangel 7, Caulker 6, Williams 6, Taylor 7; Britton 6 (Allen 74, 6), Aguestien 5, Routledge 6 (Dobbie 74, 6); Dyer 8, Sinclair 7, Graham 5 (Lita 82,6).
Subs not used: Moreira, Tate, Moore, Gower.
Wigan (4-5-1): Al Habsi 6; Boyce 6, Alcaraz 6 (Stam 36, 6), Caldwell 7, Figueroa 7; Gomez 6, Diame 6, Watson 7, McCarthy 7 (McArthur 65, 6), Moses 7; Di Santo 6 (Rodallega 69, 6).
Subs not used: Pollitt, Thomas, Sammon, Jones.
REFEREE: Phil Dowd
ATTENDANCE: 19,068
NEXT UP:
- Swansea v Sunderland (home), Premier League, 27/08, 1500 BST
- Wigan v QPR (home), Premier League, 27/08 1230 BST
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Nathan Dyer (Swansea): Didn't stop running and was a constant threat throughout.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/08/20/swansea-0-wigan-0-swansea-earn-their-first-point-thanks-to-ben/
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