Manchester City re-established their three-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to Edin Dzeko's first-half header against Wigan.
Dzeko converted the returning David Silva's free-kick after 22 minutes and that was enough to seal the points.
Wigan rallied after the break, but Joe Hart saved well from James McCarthy as chances came and went at either end. Wigan remain bottom.
Lucky charm
Lucky charm Dzeko rose majestically to head home the only goal on a nervous, sub-zero night in Wigan and keep up his record – the Blues have not lost any of the eight league games in which he has netted.
It was not a vintage performance from the Blues, without suspended skipper Vincent Kompany, absent Yaya Toure and injured Micah Richards.
But the result was everything as the world watched and waited for them to slip in the league, in the way they slid out of the FA Cup and stumbled in the Carling Cup.
The last few days have been madness, with pundits queuing up to declare the Blues a tattered, busted flush, managed by a basket case who crumbling under the pressure.
Gareth Barry told M.E.N. Sport last week that this would be a night for stout hearts and scrappers rather than the stylists and sparklers who have lit up the season so far.
So it proved – and Barry, not surprisingly, was chief stalwart.
The team news before the game was mixed, with Silva’s return a blessed relief but Micah Richards – who was the Blues’ best player against United and Liverpool – out with a knock.
That meant the defence had a vulnerable look about it, with Mancini putting his faith in Stefan Savic, who had a shaky time against the Scousers last week.
And the Blues boss threw caution to the wind by dropping Nigel de Jong and bringing in Samir Nasri, obviously backing his attacking players to out-gun the home side, who have not won at home since the dog days of summer – August 27, to be exact.
There were a couple of early wobbles from City as Joleon Lescott swiped and missed, Latics appealed for a penalty against Barry and James McArthur saw his bobbling shot deflect just wide of Hart’s goal.
Cross
But Dzeko was soon in the groove, heading just wide from Gael Clichy’s cross.
The next time he got his head to the ball, it ended in the net. His industrious approach play had won the free kick out on the left and when Silva swung it to the near post, he rose gracefully to glance his header beyond the grasp of Ali al Habsi.
That was his 13th goal of the season, but only his second with his head. For a six ft three ins striker who had a reputation for scoring aerially at Wolfsburg, that is a curious statistic, but down to City's playing style.
But for all their dominance, there was always the danger that the Latics might nick one, and James McArthur gave them a timely reminder as he swept in a shot which Hart had to parry and grab at the second attempt.
The 1-0 half time scoreline, and City’s failure to show their power, was all the encouragement Wigan needed as they emerged from the dressing room after the break.
The Latics pressed hard for an equaliser, and City, without the calm possession game of Yaya Toure, at times looked panicky and unsure, giving the ball away.
Suddenly City burst into life and just when a sweeping move seemed to have broken down Zabaleta robbed Maynor Figueroa and crossed, only for Dzeko’s curling shot to bring the best out of al Habsi.
Moments later Dzeko fluffed a glorious chance after Aguero had bamboozled the Wigan defence with an electric, mazy run. The little Argentine should have been allowed to try to finish it himself, but Dzeko snatched it off his toe and fluffed the shot.
City were again inches away when Clichy’s driven cross deflected off Latics skipper Gary Caldwell and skidded across the face of goal, with Nasri desperately trying to get the killer touch.
Hart then did brilliantly to deny McCarthy, the goalkeeper's outstretched foot denying the Wigan man's angled shot.
As the clock ticked down, Mancini gave way to his baser instincts, hauling off Nasri and Silva and sending on Nigel de Jong and Nedum Onuoha in a bid to kill Wigan’s persistent ambition.
Dzeko almost sealed it with a shot which deflected off a defender and had al Habsi clawing the ball over the bar, and Aguero flashed a shot wide as the Blues finished strongly.
The game ended in controversy as Figueroa was booked for a cynical handball when the ball bounced over him – and would have run for Aguero to race clear for a goalscoring opportunity.
What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.
Wigan 0 Manchester City 1 - Stuart Brennan's verdict
January 16, 2012
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Good game. For all doubters, Dzeko MOTM.
No wonder I'm a CTID alcoholic!!!!
It wasn't pretty but 3pts and top of the league! Don't care how we win, the results are what's important. Now let's get ready for Spuds Sunday.
not a classic performance but not the performance of a bunch of money-grabbers who aren't interested in scrapping for the points either. Thought Atkinson did well until he only gave a yellow for Figueroa's handball. Blatant! Did the ref forget the rules or is it now against FIFA regulations to give a decision to City? also good to see Ned back.
3 points that's all that matters. Without Toure, Toure, Kompany, Richards and Super Mario. Nothing less than a draw against Spurs and back on track.
A good three points. My only concern ( like most matches) is that we always allow the opposition to get back behind the ball and regroup.....everytime....and at which point we start the slow process of sideways and backwards passing looking for an opening. However, 3 points were needed above everything else....roll on the spuds !
And on we March.....Not a Bad Blip is it ?.Everyone still looks up to us and we're still Ruining Football !....,Things can't get much Worse !.
Dear Mr Mancini,
For crying out loud CALM DOWN and leave the officials to do their job. We've had some chronic decisions against us lately but stop waving imaginary cards around and ranting like Fergus and Winger.
It is NOT class!
How relieving is that, I nearly chewed off my false nails ! well onwards and upwards O sorry forgot we were already at the top " Come on City". This kiity has got the cream of Manchester.
Swiss army knife to lead us to the title!
Done enough to win and that is what counts at this stage of the game.
At least none of the commentators will be able to remotely suggest that the team from the swamp are joint leaders of the PL.
We have won more games, scored most goals and let least in.
Another inept performance. At least a winning one. With Yaya missing it's like the Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger. Wigan really took it to us in the second half and where was the beautifully controlled football of earlier season. Hacking it hopefully downfield like a championship team only for it to come back. The defence at least held strong but the midfield was pathetic. Supposed class and couldn't hold the ball. And the finishing. Dzeko broke his recent run but that was all he did.
Still back to the top and bring on Spurs. Although on this performance they must be salivating at the thought of playing us. Hope Micah is fit. I'll even take Balotelli at the moment.
CTID
I missed the first 70 minutes, but I'm sure City deserved the win. Onwards & Upwards.
Nervy win & a so-so performance but 3 points is not to be sniffed at. The team has clearly lost the verve and confidence that excited all the fans in the first half of the season so let's hope they can get back on song. A much improved performance will be needed on Sunday for sure.
Note to Bobby Manc: Lose the imaginary card waving - the referee will never change his mind even if he sees you and you look like you have lost the plot.
Well done city Gaz Baz was right win ugly and we did just as a footnote get on QPR to beat wigan next week cos they won't try half as hard as thet did against us. Come on city CTID
Great win - though dkeko was brilliant, especially his hold up play. Lescott and Barry good too though nasri still plays like a poor man's Silva.
A win was vital tonight and a win it was.
Radio 5 Live goes from bad to worse. Jason Roberts's prejudiced comment throughout were tiresome. They tell us that we need to win ugly at times. And yet when it is declared we won ugly goes the refrain "but City should be going out there making a statement of intent." You can't win against people like that.
But win we did. Ugly or not is irrelevant on a night such as this after the mundane performance against Liverpool last Wednesday. The three points will hurt those in our wake.
Well done city, a much needed win,, got to say thought savic did well tonight. Not a vintage display from the boys but its a win. Lets go marching on all way to the tittle now.
CTID
Nice headed goal from Edin.
WELL DONE BLUES ...BACK WITH THE GAP ON TOP WHERE WE BELONG ..
I dont normally agree with Gary Neville but he made a comment and made Joe Hart man of the match..TOTALLY AGREE !
How he wasnt sent off for a last man handball is beyond me ..you can see this team is missing Vinny, Micah and Yaya...
WELL PLAYED BLUES...BRING ON THE SPUDS !!
CITY FOR LIFE !!
1-0 win every game suits me! Barcelona supporters are saying the same!
Well done laddies, keep it going!
Up the Blues!
Still top. Still 3 clear. Still big goal difference. Good enough for me!
Well done lads - a little laboured and gave the ball away far more often than is acceptable but three points! We will have to be much better to get the draw or a win against Spurs!! Grat header by Dzeko and that will do him good.
CTID.
Scrappy game but came out winners. It's games like this that win you leagues. The history book will show 1-0 win away, back on track after a minor blip.
Its apparent that our style of football is much less effective on poorer pitches. Our passing game is way off where it matters.
We need to just keep our nose in front until Spring and then coast home.