Sunderland v Wigan 1-0 | Martinez on loss against Sunderland /football
- 10 years ago
Steven Fletcher's fifth goal in four Premier League games gave Sunderland their first win of the season against 10-man Wigan at the Stadium of Light.
The visitors enjoyed the better of the first half but life was made difficult for them when Jordi Gomez was sent off on 48 minutes for a foul on Danny Rose.
Sunderland took advantage minutes later as Fletcher drove home from James McClean's ball to seal victory.
It was the Black Cats' first Premier League win since March.
The home side were given a welcome boost before kick-off as Adam Johnson, who injured his thigh while training with England earlier this month, passed a late fitness test to take make his first appearance at the Stadium of Light since signing for Manchester City last month.
Another of Martin O'Neill's new recruits, Fletcher, went into the game having scored all of Sunderland's goals so far in the Premier League and he was almost presented with an opportunity for another inside the first minute when Ali Al-Habsi was caught unawares by the striker, but the Wigan keeper was able to clear just in time.
However, it was the visitors who settled into the game more quickly and only a superb save by Simon Mignolet prevented them from taking the lead after 15 minutes. Jean Beausejour's first-time ball across goal found Arouna Kone at the far post, but his point-blank shot was superbly denied by the Belgian.
Sunderland came close to opening the scoring with their first real chance on goal in the 26th minute.
Fletcher was fouled on the left side of the area and Sebastian Larsson's free-kick looked destined for the goal, but Ivan Ramis was on hand to scramble the ball away.
Despite that chance it was the visitors who finished the half stronger as Kone headed over, before James McCarthy's low drive from distance flew just wide of the upright.
But the second half was to be a much harder proposition when, on 48 minutes, Gomez was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Rose.
It took the hosts only three
The visitors enjoyed the better of the first half but life was made difficult for them when Jordi Gomez was sent off on 48 minutes for a foul on Danny Rose.
Sunderland took advantage minutes later as Fletcher drove home from James McClean's ball to seal victory.
It was the Black Cats' first Premier League win since March.
The home side were given a welcome boost before kick-off as Adam Johnson, who injured his thigh while training with England earlier this month, passed a late fitness test to take make his first appearance at the Stadium of Light since signing for Manchester City last month.
Another of Martin O'Neill's new recruits, Fletcher, went into the game having scored all of Sunderland's goals so far in the Premier League and he was almost presented with an opportunity for another inside the first minute when Ali Al-Habsi was caught unawares by the striker, but the Wigan keeper was able to clear just in time.
However, it was the visitors who settled into the game more quickly and only a superb save by Simon Mignolet prevented them from taking the lead after 15 minutes. Jean Beausejour's first-time ball across goal found Arouna Kone at the far post, but his point-blank shot was superbly denied by the Belgian.
Sunderland came close to opening the scoring with their first real chance on goal in the 26th minute.
Fletcher was fouled on the left side of the area and Sebastian Larsson's free-kick looked destined for the goal, but Ivan Ramis was on hand to scramble the ball away.
Despite that chance it was the visitors who finished the half stronger as Kone headed over, before James McCarthy's low drive from distance flew just wide of the upright.
But the second half was to be a much harder proposition when, on 48 minutes, Gomez was shown a straight red card for a two-footed lunge on Rose.
It took the hosts only three