Middlesbrough vs. Wigan Athletic - The Match Report

Middlesbrough vs. Wigan Athletic

Date: Tuesday 28^th January 2014

Venue: The Riverside

Referee: Michael Naylor

Score: 0-0

After coming through an F.A. Cup fourth round tie with Crystal Palace at the weekend, Wigan Athletic could only play out a dour draw against Middlesbrough.

Not much happened in this mid-week feature but both teams will be reasonably happy with a point. For the Latics, it means that they have only lost once under Uwe Rosler. Whilst for Middlesbrough, it means that they have kept four clean sheets at home in a row; the first time in ten years.

Wigan started slowly and definitely looked to be paying the price for their hard fought 2-1 win over Palace on Saturday. But, it was the Latics who created the first clear chance as Stephen Crainey forced Shay Given in to a one-handed save after shooting from twenty yards out.

Boro then had an ideal chance to score when Curtis Main shot over the crossbar from just eight yards.

Shortly after, Wigan, in particular Chris McCann, wasted two opportunities which came in quick concession. McCann squandered a chance at the back-post before he saw a shot clip George Friend and fly just wide of the post.

After the break, the game became slightly more open and Middlesbrough should have made the score 1-0 when Main lifted the ball over the bar, once again, after a pass from Emmanuel Ledesma.

With 76 minutes on the clock, Given made another good save from Crainey before Powell headed over after one of Jean Beausejour’s trademark crosses.

After a not so good start, Wigan grew into the game and could have easily won the game. Once again, the Latics had the majority of possession but failed to do anything meaningful with it. All is well, however, if they manage to defeat Charlton at the weekend which would inevitably keep their play-off hopes alive.