Premier League round-up: Wigan edge out Blackburn in eight-goal thriller
Steve Bruce chalked his first win as Wigan manager in a pulsating game at the JJB stadium. The 16,489 spectators were treated to two hat-tricks, a penalty save and a sending off as the home side ended 5-3 victors - it was their first win 14 games. Marcus Bent was the star for Wigan, as he netted his first hat-trick in seven years.
The 29-year-old, on loan from the Championship's Charlton, opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Denny Landzaat doubled the lead four minutes later.
A Paul Scharner bullet header made it 3-0 before Blackburn's South African striker Benni Mccarthy had his penalty tipped around the post by Chris Kirkland.
Mark Hughes' side did pull a goal back before the break, through Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz, who also ended the game with three goals to his name. But just as Blackburn were gaining momentum, Brett Emerton was ejected for a second bookable offence, much to the disgust of Hughes, who spat out his chewing gum.
Having failed to have scored in his previous seven games, summer signing Santa Cruz pulled his side back to 3-3 after the interval with his first hat-trick for the club. But Bent's two second half goals took the game beyond Blackburn. The only disappointment for Bruce was that striker Emile Heskey was stretchered off with an ankle injury.
There were 22 goals in all in the seven Premier League games which kicked off at 3pm. Manchester City continued their 100 per cent home record, winning their ninth consecutive match at the City of Manchester Stadium. Sven-Goran Eriksson's team ran out late winners against Gary Megson's Bolton, who are yet to win away in the league all season.
Conversely Tottenham had a good away day at Fratton Park, defeating Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth - their first defeat in 11 games. Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the game, and Spurs recorded their first away victory.
Everton beat West Ham at Upton Park for the second time in four days. Yakubu, who had tormented the Hammers in the midweek Carling Cup fixture, was again on the scoresheet - his seventh goal in four games - and Andy Johnson scored a late chip to help the Toffees to 2-0. David Moyes' side have now won 10 of their last 12 games, and drew the other two.
Sunderland were unlucky not to make it two consecutive wins as a late header - which looked perfectly legitimate goal - was deemed a foul. As it was the Black Cats drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.
Middlesbrough defeated Paul Jewell's Derby County thanks to a sweet left-foot volley by Tuncay Sanli. The 25-year-old Turkish forwad has now scored in his last three matches.
Alex McLeish was unlucky not to win his first home match at St Andrews. The Birmingham manager saw his team take the lead through Finnish striker Mikael Forssell, only for a contentious Stephen Hunt penalty to level the game.
Steve Bruce chalked his first win as Wigan manager in a pulsating game at the JJB stadium. The 16,489 spectators were treated to two hat-tricks, a penalty save and a sending off as the home side ended 5-3 victors - it was their first win 14 games. Marcus Bent was the star for Wigan, as he netted his first hat-trick in seven years.
The 29-year-old, on loan from the Championship's Charlton, opened the scoring after 10 minutes and Denny Landzaat doubled the lead four minutes later.
A Paul Scharner bullet header made it 3-0 before Blackburn's South African striker Benni Mccarthy had his penalty tipped around the post by Chris Kirkland.
Mark Hughes' side did pull a goal back before the break, through Paraguayan forward Roque Santa Cruz, who also ended the game with three goals to his name. But just as Blackburn were gaining momentum, Brett Emerton was ejected for a second bookable offence, much to the disgust of Hughes, who spat out his chewing gum.
Having failed to have scored in his previous seven games, summer signing Santa Cruz pulled his side back to 3-3 after the interval with his first hat-trick for the club. But Bent's two second half goals took the game beyond Blackburn. The only disappointment for Bruce was that striker Emile Heskey was stretchered off with an ankle injury.
There were 22 goals in all in the seven Premier League games which kicked off at 3pm. Manchester City continued their 100 per cent home record, winning their ninth consecutive match at the City of Manchester Stadium. Sven-Goran Eriksson's team ran out late winners against Gary Megson's Bolton, who are yet to win away in the league all season.
Conversely Tottenham had a good away day at Fratton Park, defeating Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth - their first defeat in 11 games. Dimitar Berbatov scored the only goal of the game, and Spurs recorded their first away victory.
Everton beat West Ham at Upton Park for the second time in four days. Yakubu, who had tormented the Hammers in the midweek Carling Cup fixture, was again on the scoresheet - his seventh goal in four games - and Andy Johnson scored a late chip to help the Toffees to 2-0. David Moyes' side have now won 10 of their last 12 games, and drew the other two.
Sunderland were unlucky not to make it two consecutive wins as a late header - which looked perfectly legitimate goal - was deemed a foul. As it was the Black Cats drew 1-1 with Aston Villa.
Middlesbrough defeated Paul Jewell's Derby County thanks to a sweet left-foot volley by Tuncay Sanli. The 25-year-old Turkish forwad has now scored in his last three matches.
Alex McLeish was unlucky not to win his first home match at St Andrews. The Birmingham manager saw his team take the lead through Finnish striker Mikael Forssell, only for a contentious Stephen Hunt penalty to level the game.
Labels: Birmingham, football, Manchester City, Premier League, Tottenham, Wigan
