Moses threads his shot home for Wigan's goal

By Oliver Brett

Victor Moses, an inspired half-time substitution by Roberto Martinez, scored the game's only goal as Wigan earned their third win of the season.

Moses replaced Jordi Gomez at half-time and instantly provided a spark in the Wigan midfield before firing home after terrific work from Charles N'Zogbia.

Another Wigan sub, Franco di Santo, should have made it 2-0 but shot wide.

West Brom's two best chances fell to Paul Scharner in the first half but he failed to test goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Overall, the Baggies were probably a more consistent threat but lacked a cutting edge while Wigan produced some real quality in the second half and more performances like this should see the the threat of relegation recede.

The opening period featured far too many misplaced passes from both teams and N'Zogbia, who began on the right wing but frequently switched flanks with Tom Cleverley, was easily the biggest threat to the West Brom defence.

It needed well-judged tackle from Youssuf Mulumbu to deny N'Zogbia a clear shooting opportunity after he had exchanged passes with Hugo Rodallega.

Wigan's defence looked comfortable early on, although an unscheduled reshuffle was necessary when Gary Caldwell limped off to be substituted by brother Steven.

Towards the end of the half, West Brom's 4-2-3-1 formation gradually began to gain a foothold, even though the wide players, Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt, remained anonymous.

Nigerian international Peter Odemwingie was released by a long ball forward, but the chance came to nothing as none of his team-mates was able to get forward in support.

606: DEBATE Managed to see the game and that was as poor as I have seen us in ages ExiledEssexBaggie

However, a well-worked one-two with James Morrison provided Odemwingie with West Brom's first shooting opportunity from just outside the area, and he blasted wide.

The visitors built up a head of steam as the interval approached and when Chris Brunt swung in a corner from the right, Scharner timed his run perfectly, only to make poor contact with his header.

Scharner then saw a shot blocked by the body of team-mate Steve Gohouri as he looked to drive in the game's first goal.

Sensing his team had lost momentum, Martinez replaced the ineffective Gomez with Moses at half-time and gave the young Englishman licence to run at the Baggies defence.

It proved an inspired decision and Moses immediately made Wigan look more dangerous, though there was a nervous moment for the home team when Caldwell fouled Odemwingie inches outside the penalty area, Brunt slamming the resulting into the wall.

Scotland midfielder Morrison tested Al Habsi with a shot after skilfully eluding two defenders, but there was not enough pace in his effort and the Oman international saved comfortably.

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo made his first tactical change came with barely 20 minutes left on the clock as Giles Barnes came on for Scharner, but the next significant attack came from the Latics, and with it the goal.

N'Zogbia, twisting and turning, escaped the attentions of two West Brom defenders and slipped the ball through to Moses, arriving quickly down the right flank, and the 19-year-old Englishman finished coolly, drilling his shot wide of Scott Carson and just inside the far post.

Wigan were strong in defence and attack, and Di Santo, on the field for Rodallega, should have made certain of the points but rushed his shot on the turn and Carson did not have to make a save.

The Baggies did their best to grab an equaliser and substitute Marc-Antoine Fortune, seconds before the final whistle, saw his shot saved by Al Habsi.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez: "Victor is growing in training, and sometimes we don't realise how young he is. He came on against Liverpool and really played his part, and today he had a massive impact on the game. We took control of the game in the second half and we had to be patient. You could see we were lacking energy because of the big effort on Wednesday."

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo: "We had a few chances in the first half especially and it's a shame we didn't score that goal. It looked like it was going to be a draw and then they scored a goal from one of our set-pieces. We were caught out a little but but still had enough payers back to defend it. That's how it is in the Premier League, little things cost points."

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