City Struggle Against Defiant Wigan

Perhaps this was a performance from both sides that should have been expected.

After an extremely comfortable performance on Wednesday against Aston Villa, the expectations for another classy victory was high, but as usual the performance usually fails to deliver.

Wigan since their arrival to the Premiership, have epitomised a curates egg. One week they deliver the goods, the next they look like accepting a one-way ticket back to the Championship.

Today, Wigan`s performance- full of determination and drive- is one that`s needed if survival is to be secured. City, as Roberto Mancini has suggested over recent weeks, looked jaded as if the fixture congestion is taking its toll.
But, isn`t that what teams should expect if they are to become successful?

Some might argue the end result may have been greater if City had scored the early goal the visitors dreaded. Known to self-implode under pressure, Wigan`s gritty performance was perhaps helped by City`s lack of fluency and urgency.

Starting brightly, we should have made more of the early possession and openings. Yaya Toure, David Silva and Carlos Tevez were finding the gaps with ease, however, the correct final decision was evading the threating trio.

That was until Silva scored his second goal in two matches, courtesy of a horrendous mistake from the usually impressive Ali Al Habsi. Gliding through several challenges, the majestic midfielder took aim more with hope than expectancy. Nevertheless, with the passage to goal looking closed, Al Habsi allowed Silva`s shot to creep under his body.

Hoping to push on, we never looked at our best. The fact our best player was Pablo Zabaleta is credit to the away side.
Never short of passion and commitment Zabaleta outshone his team-mates with another consistent performance.

With frustration growing amongst the crowd and players, Wigan were growing in confidence. With three massive points possible, the performance wasn`t the most important aspect of the game.

Unfortunately these three points were looking far from decided with the visitors enjoy a fine second half. After earlier hitting the post through Alcaraz, Wigan and substitute Conor Sammon should have clinched a desperate equaliser in the dyeing seconds. However, with only Hart to beat his right foot shot crept wide with Eastland`s breathing a huge sigh of relief.

After Arsenal slipped up at home to Sunderland, do these 3 points mean were now looking up rather than down the table?

Pablo Zabaleta- Doesn't stop going, if everyone has his passion we will go along way.
Some important saves, but again his distribution was weak. Strong defensively. Glad too see him back. After K.Toure was suspended, Lescott knows he has a role to fill. His recent performances have put him in a great position. In a poor attacking game the defenders usually receive the plaudits. Today, Zab deserves them all. Not just for defending, for his 100% attitude week in week out. His past two performances have been really good. What's happened? One of his weakest City performances. If he wants to he can really put in a performance. Today I don't think he was that interested. Best of the attacking players. Decent. First half he looked like finding thw Wigan net, the second half was a different Tev. Added little. Great for him to be back. Not long to impress.

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain