Wigan 2 - 1 Preston
N'Zogbia scores Wigan's winner in injury time
Preston were cruelly knocked out of the Carling Cup as Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia grabbed an injury-time winner in a pulsating third-round tie.
Keith Treacy gave the visitors the lead by squeezing a well-struck 25-yard, low free-kick in at the near post.
Preston's Paul Coutts twice hit the woodwork before Wigan's Jordi Gomez levelled with just three minutes to go.
With the game heading for extra-time Wigan broke from deep and James McCarthy set up N'Zogbia to score.
The France midfielder - who was Wigan's player of the season in 2009/10 but has been a more marginal figure this campaign amidst rumours he wished to leave the club - was key to the victory having come on as a substitute at the start of the second half.
He added drive to what had been a largely drab first-half display from the Latics and provided the game's decisive moment when he exchanged passes with McCarthy and blasted past Preston keeper Andy Lonergan two minutes into injury time.
Four minutes earlier, Gomez had drawn the home side level with a superb solo effort after having jinked into the box.
However, prior to this final salvo it appeared as though Wigan were destined for elimination at the hands of their Lancashire rivals, who held the lead for just over an hour of the match thanks to Treacy's 22nd minute free-kick.
North End could have been out of sight had Coutts found the goal with a brace of efforts - one in each half - but he struck the woodwork with each.
Despite the defeat, Preston can take hope from a performance that belies their lowly position in the Championship, whilst Wigan will hope the win can be a springboard for the rest of their season.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:
"It is quite clear the talent Charles has got. The way he has acted since the window has closed has been an example for everyone.
"He has talent and many would pay money to watch him play football.
"More importantly he worked for the team extremely hard and, with his build-up towards the game, his day today has been sensational.
"In the second half I was very proud of a group of players that care about gelling together."
Preston manager Darren Ferguson:
"Obviously they had one or two opportunities but they were two awful goals for us to lose.
"I couldn't really see a way of them getting through and they huffed and puffed. Both goals were stoppable. Individual mistakes cost us the game.
"I'm not looking for excuses but we just aren't getting any luck - Coutts hit the bar, post - it's game over if that went in."
Live text and stats
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Carling Cup
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wigan | 2-1 | Preston | FT |
| (HT 0-1) | |||
|
| ||
Wigan
- 26 Al Habsi
- 03 Alcaraz
- 13 Caldwell
- 23 Stam
- 31 Figueroa
- 06 Thomas (McCarthy 71)
- 08 Watson
- 14 Gomez
- 16 McArthur (N'Zogbia 46)
- 07 Di Santo
- 09 Boselli
Substitutes
Preston
- 01 Lonergan
- 04 St. Ledger
- 05 Brown
- 12 Grayyellow card
- 19 Jones
- 07 Coutts
- 11 Treacy (Parry 54yellow card)
- 14 Mayor
- 15 Barton
- 20 Russell
- 09 Brown (Parkin 54)
Substitutes
- 25 Arestidou,
- 02 Morgan,
- 37 McLaughlin,
- 42 Wright,
- 17 Parry,
- 08 Hayes,
- 26 Parkin
Ref: MossAtt: 6,987
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+5:01The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
- 90:00+3:38Jordi Gomez decides to take a short corner.
- 90:00+3:20Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Jordi Gomez.
- 90:00+3:05A cross is delivered by Maynor Figueroa, Shot on goal by Jordi Gomez from just inside the area goes over the target.
- 90:00+1:49James McCarthy provided the assist for the goal.
- 90:00+1:49 GOAL - Charles N'ZogbiaWigan 2 - 1 PrestonCharles N'Zogbia scores a goal from deep inside the penalty box low into the middle of the goal. Wigan 2-1 Preston.
- 90:00+1:11Inswinging corner taken by Paul Parry, Antolin Alcaraz makes a clearance.
- 90:00+0:32Shot from deep inside the area by Charles N'Zogbia clears the crossbar.
- 90:00+0:13Jordi Gomez takes the inswinging corner, Wayne Brown makes a clearance.
- 89:57Shot from close range by Ronnie Stam clears the bar.
- 88:56Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Jordi Gomez.
- 88:38The ball is swung over by Charles N'Zogbia, clearance made by Billy Jones.
- 88:10Ronnie Stam takes a short corner, The ball is sent over by Jordi Gomez.
- 86:47Maynor Figueroa provided the assist for the goal.
- 86:47 GOAL - Jordi GomezWigan 1 - 1 PrestonJordi Gomez grabs a goal from the edge of the penalty area to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wigan 1-1 Preston.
- 85:04The ball is sent over by Franco Di Santo.
- 84:14Wayne Brown fouled by Mauro Boselli, the ref awards a free kick. Wayne Brown restarts play with the free kick.
- 79:37Steven Caldwell concedes a free kick for a foul on Wayne Brown. Andy Lonergan takes the free kick.
- 79:24Inswinging corner taken by Jordi Gomez.
- 79:03Jordi Gomez takes a short corner.
- 78:32 BookingDavid Gray booked.
- 78:09Free kick awarded for a foul by David Gray on Franco Di Santo. Ben Watson takes the free kick.
- 75:19Effort from deep inside the box by Paul Coutts hits the post.
- 75:01The ball is crossed by Steven Caldwell, Sean St. Ledger makes a clearance.
- 73:33Steven Caldwell restarts play with the free kick.
- 73:33 BookingThe referee shows Paul Parry a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 73:24Paul Parry concedes a free kick for a foul on Ronnie Stam.
- 70:42 Substitution(Wigan) makes a substitution, with James McCarthy coming on for Hendry Thomas.
- 70:10Hendry Thomas concedes a free kick for a foul on Darel Russell. Sean St. Ledger restarts play with the free kick.
- 69:19The ball is sent over by Ronnie Stam, clearance made by David Gray.
- 63:49Charles N'Zogbia crosses the ball.
- 62:32Ben Watson takes the inswinging corner, Billy Jones manages to make a clearance.
- 61:47Ben Watson takes the inswinging corner, Jon Parkin manages to make a clearance.
- 61:32Paul Parry sends in a cross, clearance made by Steven Caldwell.
- 61:02Paul Coutts decides to take the corner short.
- 59:26Mauro Boselli fouled by Adam Barton, the ref awards a free kick. Jordi Gomez takes the free kick.
- 55:40Effort on goal by Jordi Gomez from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
- 55:19Inswinging corner taken by Jordi Gomez from the right by-line.
- 55:06Jordi Gomez takes a shot.
- 53:10 SubstitutionJon Parkin replaces Chris Brown.
- 53:10 SubstitutionPaul Parry replaces Keith Treacy.
- 52:46Inswinging corner taken by Jordi Gomez.
- 52:28Short corner taken by Jordi Gomez from the right by-line.
- 52:18Maynor Figueroa produces a cross.
- 51:13Ben Watson takes a shot. Save by Andy Lonergan.
- 50:47Foul by Adam Barton on Charles N'Zogbia, free kick awarded. Charles N'Zogbia takes the direct free kick.
- 49:44Effort on goal by Franco Di Santo from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
- 46:00Steven Caldwell challenges Keith Treacy unfairly and gives away a free kick. Billy Jones restarts play with the free kick.
- 45:01The match restarts for the second half.
- 45:01 SubstitutionCharles N'Zogbia comes on in place of James McArthur.
- Half Time
- 45:00+0:56The first half comes to an end.
- 45:00+0:38Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Brown on Steven Caldwell. Free kick taken by Ali Al Habsi.
- 45:00+0:04The offside flag is raised against Franco Di Santo. Direct free kick taken by Andy Lonergan.
- 44:27Ben Watson delivers the ball, Andy Lonergan makes a save.
- 43:25The ball is delivered by Keith Treacy, Steven Caldwell manages to make a clearance.
- 42:38James McArthur concedes a free kick for a foul on Paul Coutts. Wayne Brown restarts play with the free kick.
- 41:52The ball is swung over by Ronnie Stam.
- 38:56Corner taken left-footed by Keith Treacy from the right by-line, clearance made by James McArthur.
- 38:23Corner from right by-line taken by Keith Treacy.
- 36:55Long range shot by Ben Watson goes wide right of the goal.
- 34:47Unfair challenge on Antolin Alcaraz by Chris Brown results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Steven Caldwell.
- 34:37The ball is swung over by Ronnie Stam, clearance by Sean St. Ledger.
- 33:58Foul by Paul Coutts on Hendry Thomas, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Maynor Figueroa.
- 33:11Maynor Figueroa delivers the ball.
- 31:55Danny Mayor sends in a cross, Ali Al Habsi makes a save.
- 31:23Darel Russell concedes a free kick for a foul on Hendry Thomas. Direct free kick taken by Steven Caldwell.
- 29:53Effort from outside the box by Franco Di Santo goes wide right of the target.
- 26:10Centre by Danny Mayor, Paul Coutts takes a shot from just outaide the penalty box and strikes the post.
- 25:40Foul by Franco Di Santo on David Gray, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by David Gray.
- 25:16Mauro Boselli produces a cross, Paul Coutts manages to make a clearance.
- 23:59Corner taken by Ben Watson from the right by-line to the near post, Effort on goal by Franco Di Santo from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.
- 22:28 GOAL - Keith TreacyWigan 0 - 1 PrestonKeith Treacy scores direct from the free kick. Wigan 0-1 Preston.
- 21:21Unfair challenge on Danny Mayor by Maynor Figueroa results in a free kick.
- 21:09The ball is swung over by David Gray, clearance made by Antolin Alcaraz.
- 19:04Jordi Gomez has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses left.
- 16:58Outswinging corner taken by Ben Watson, clearance made by Wayne Brown.
- 16:43Franco Di Santo takes a shot.
- 12:28Billy Jones produces a left-footed shot from long distance which goes wide right of the goal.
- 10:08David Gray gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Franco Di Santo. Maynor Figueroa takes the free kick.
- 7:51Jordi Gomez crosses the ball.
- 7:26Maynor Figueroa delivers the ball.
- 5:22James McArthur fouled by Darel Russell, the ref awards a free kick. Ben Watson restarts play with the free kick.
- 3:50Keith Treacy sends in a cross.
- 2:07Billy Jones sends in a cross.
- 1:50Paul Coutts sends in a cross, Ronnie Stam makes a clearance.
- 1:01The ball is crossed by Danny Mayor, save by Ali Al Habsi.
- 0:47Keith Treacy produces a cross, clearance by Steven Caldwell.
