Wigan Athletic 1, Sunderland 0

Nov 30 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

Michael Turner completed an inglorious minute by flicking back a Mario Melchiot free-kick he conceded by kicking his way through the back of Scharner and into the book.

The sloppy tone was set long before, when Rodallega was allowed to sneak onto Melchiot’s cross at the back post, only to find the side netting from near the byline.

The low point, though, came in the 76th minute when Sunderland conceded possession in midfield.

Paulo da Silva fell over trying to close down Rodallega and from another acute angle Fulop allowed the ball to travel under him and into the far corner. Only the striker’s wastefulness in the later stages ensured it was the game’s only goal.

Sunderland still should have escaped with an undeserved point. On the few occasions they found Bent he failed to make it count, allowing Emmerson Boyce an excellent last-ditch tackle when at the Stadium of Light the ball would already be on its way into the net, and missing the target with his other chances.

Substitute Fraizer Campbell also fluffed his lines, slipping when picked out by McCartney.

They were better after being made to stand in the cold to wait for the game to restart after a first half in which they had just one shot and one corner – but not much.

Twelve months ago a Sunderland manager walked out because he could not inspire his team to play at the Stadium of Light.

A year later Bruce’s problem is the opposite one but like Scharner’s hair, whichever way you look at it, it needs changing.