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Match Analysis: Manchester City 1-0 Wigan Athletic

Match Analysis: Man City 1-0 Wigan
© PA Photos
Sports Mole analyses Wednesday night's narrow 1-0 win for Manchester City against Wigan Athletic.

Manchester City are now 13 points behind leaders Manchester United after a late win over Wigan Athletic moved them two points closer.

The visitors dominated long spells of the first half, but Franco di Santo squandered the best chance when he was unable to beat Joe Hart when clean through.

In the second half the game became more open and it was City who eventually took the points late on through Carlos Tevez's superb solo effort.

Here, Sports Mole analyses the action to work out whether the points went the correct way.

Match statistics:

Man City:
Shots 12
On target 2
Possession 50%
Corners 5
Fouls 12

Wigan:
Shots 10
On target 4
Possession 50%
Corners 4
Fouls 6

Was the result fair?

Simply: no. Wigan deserved at the very least a point, particularly for their first-half showing. At one point they had 55% of the ball away from home against the champions and it was only poor finishing and good last-ditch defending from City that kept their visitors at bay.

Man City's performance

Not good at all. In the first half it was almost as if the league did not matter to them anymore as they were largely outplayed. They were solid at the back for much of the game though, and improved going forward after the break, but by no means did their showing warrant all three points tonight.

Wigan's performance

Their tactics and effort put in was fantastic, and they really did deserve better from the game. City had barely a chance in the first half and really Wigan should have been 2-0 up just after half time. However, the one area where they did not perform – attack – was where the game was ultimately lost. Had Franco di Santo's finishing been better, Wigan could even have won.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Vincent Kompany: The Wigan team were fantastic as a unit, but for one man who stood out from a very average crowd this has to go to City's skipper. On too many occasions was he the last line of defence against the Wigan attack and without him City would have certainly conceded.

Biggest gaffe

It is harsh to single out a Wigan player and particularly one who worked so hard, but Di Santo's first-half effort that was saved by Hart must get this dubious honour. Yes, it was a great stop from a world-class goalkeeper, but the striker needed a bit more composure and his side would have been celebrating a deserved opener.

Referee performance

Anthony Taylor did little wrong tonight. In fact, he did not stand out at all which, for a referee, can only be a good thing. All of the bookings he handed out were fair, but he did not really have any tough decisions to make.

What next?

Man City: City are back in action in just three days, as they face a difficult trip to White Hart Lane. One thing is certain - they simply have to improve on Saturday.

Wigan: Tonight's visitors are also away in London as they face a tricky test against West Ham United.

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Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini on the touchline during the match against Wigan on April 17, 2013
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