Leeds United 0 Wigan Athletic 2 - Sunday 31st October 2004

Latics' Elland Road joy

Report by John Patrick Heeley

Wigan Athletic moved six points clear at the top of the Coca Cola Champioship thanks to two goals early in the second half from midfielders Alan Mahon and Jimmy Bullard against Leeds United at Elland Road in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The result also saw Paul Jewell's side stretched their unbeaten start to the season to 16 games, a run unrivalled throughout the country, causing the bookmakers to cut the odds on Wigan lifting the Championship trophy even further.

Wigan were again without Emerson Thome, Gary Teale, Jason Jarrett and Nicky Eaden as Paul Jewell named an unchanged side to the one that had overwhelmed Coventry City at the JJB Stadium eight days earlier.

Making his debut for Leeds was Northern Ireland international David Healy who'd joined the club from Preston North End only a couple of days before and a lot was expected from the 25-year-old as he lined up alongside Brian Deane in United's front line.

As for Brian Deane, the 6'3" striker came under quite a bit of stick from the travelling Wigan fans seated behind the goal in the South Stand who remember only too well his injury time equaliser for West Ham in the final game of last season - a goal that ultimately cost Latics a place in the play-offs.

The first half saw Wigan threaten but fail to hit the target with former Wimbledon, Spurs and Chelsea keeper Neil Sullivan hardly bothered in goal for the home side.

However it always seemed to be only a matter of time before Latics found the back of the net and they did do twice within 8 minutes of the second half restarting.

The opening exchanges saw little in the way of goalmouth action with both sides taking time to settle into the game.

The first real chance of note came Wigan's way but David Graham's shot went well wide after good build up play.

David Healy also tried his luck in the 20th minute but his effort sailed over the bar and into the Wigan fans amassed behind the goal.

Lee McCulloch found his way into the referee's notebook in the 28th minute for a challenge on former Preston and West Brom midfielder Sean Gregan with Leeds' Clarke Carlise joining him for his part in the aftermath.

Carlisle was lucky to be on the pitch minutes later after a rash challenge on Jason Roberts by the touchline which greatly insensed Paul Jewell and moments later he upended Roberts again, this time in a dangerous position just outside of the box but once more the referee opted to let the former Blackpool and QPR defender escape unpunished.

Jimmy Bullard sent the resulting free kick just wide of the upright.

The second half was barely underway when Latics took the lead. Clarke Carlisle failed to clear a long ball upfield allowing Wigan to break down the left wing.

Jason Roberts held the ball up well before turning to slide a pass into the path of ALAN MAHON who rattled a first time left-foot shot past Sullivan from the edge of the area for his second goal in two games.

Moments later Brian Deane muscled his way clear down the right before squaring the ball to David Healy just outside of the area but his powerful drive was parried by John Filan, the loose ball cleared away for a throw in.

Latics doubled their lead with 51 minutes on the clock and it was Jason Roberts who again turned provider, picking the ball up on the half way line and powering past his markers before sliding the ball into the path of JIMMY BULLARD who raced foward, cut inside and slotted home beyond Sullivan.

Leeds had a number of clear cut chances to get back into the game but Brian Deane failed to get enough purchase on the ball on more than one occasion, his headers landing comfortably in the arms of John Filan.

However a last gasp effort did bring a decent save from the Wigan keeper but it was too little, too late for the Yorkshire side who remain 16th in the table with relegation a stark possibility although probably unlikely on this showing with Leeds looking a better side than most that have come up against Latics so far this season.

On a side note the crowd of 27,432 was the biggest ever to witness a Wigan Athletic league victory beating the 22,093 that attended the 3-1 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road in February.