For so long it looked like we would be able to do the double over our former manager and fellow relegation strugglers Sunderland.
Steve Bruce has not done very well for the Black Cats and his side continued their unimpressive recent record when they fell behind to Diame's strike on twenty minutes.
The young French midfielder powered his way into the Sunderland box and fired a 'sally wanger' of an effort into the roof of the net.
It was a real shame that we were unable to hold on. The delight at doing the double over Bruce, as well as earning another three vital points, would have been immense.
As it happens, Kenwyne Jones showed just why he is so highly rated as he nodded the Baclk Cats level twenty minutes into the second half.
On the positive side, we have had a very good transfer window. Figueroa still wears the blue and white of Wigan Athletic, whilst Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno should be too very good additions going forwards. Then there is Gary Caldwell who should hopefully be able to sure up our defence for the run in.
It could have been a lot worse. We could have bought a Tottenham reject and signed an ageing former Pompey striker deemed surplus to requirements at City. Clearly Steve Bruce hasn't been doing his shoppnig at Tesco...
Star man: Emmerson Boyce has really grown into the right back role. He's improved immensely going forwards and has been transformed from the scared schoolboy to one of our best attacking options.
Worst performer: Hugo Rodallega has done a little too much sulking for Wigan fans' liking in recent weeks. He was the same today when substituted. Hopefully he can get back to scoring goals.
Best moment: Without doubt that has to be the thunder strike from Momo Diame.
Tactics: We're going the right way and despite desperate pleas from the typically British Wigan following for a 4-4-2, I think that the new 4-3-2-1 formation will prove a success as soon as the players have fully adapted to it.
Change takes time and Martinez is building a strong and young fulcrum to his Wigan team. It could be a long second half of the season, but hte more long term future looks very bright.
Oppo fans: A good home following from Sunderland but they are getting short on patience with Steve Bruce.
Here is the reaction of the two managers.
Roberto Martinez
It was a tough encounter, we all knew Sunderland were going to be physical and put plenty of pressure on us in the final third, but we coped with that very well. But coming away from home it's always difficult to score the first-goal and we did well to get in front. From there we created good chances to kill the game and claim three points, which would have been deserved.
But watching the way we soaked up the Sunderland pressure and coped with what they threw at us will give us a good platform for the next 15 games. Also when you look at the two new players who came in they did a good job and I was delighted with that aspect, we look very strong right now.
On the other hand we could probably do a little more on the ball. At times I think we were a little tense, but to come here and hold onto the lead for so long was very pleasing and says a lot about the characters and talent we have in the dressing room.
I was pleased with many aspects of our game today which will allow us to carry on improving the standards we have and get the results our performances deserve.
Our starting positions, responsibility and intensities were fantastic throughout the game, and we were always a threat. Overall I think we did enough to come away with a win, let alone a draw.
One major positive is that when you look at the bench now it's not just the quality we have there it's also having a different dimension available if we need it.
All the ingredients you need to work as a team were there, it's an excellent platform for the rest of the season. We were heavily tested and responded very well which all serves well for the future.
Momo's goal was as good as you'll see in the Premier League today, and then to create quality chances for Charles and James was a great sign.
Momo deserved that. He works extremely hard for the team doing the work that isn't always easy on the eye, but that needs to be done. Once he showed that power and desire in the final third he finished it in the perfect way.
I was very pleased with the roles Victor Moses and Marcelo Moreno undertook straight away. They are two players who are going to push very hard to improve themselves and earn a place in the starting line-up and that's very pleasing.
Steve Bruce
We didn't do enough in the first half in particular. We became very edgy, very nervous. They scored a wonder goal with their first shot on target and that set everyone on their heels.
The second half was much, much better and I got a response. We could have won the game and turned it round, but unfortunately we've missed the chances to do that.
There were better signs in the second half - we got hold of the ball and created some better chances. With a bit of luck, we could have nicked it. I've got no excuses for the first half in particular. We have to be better than that. We had to calm a few down at half time and tell them to take their time and play the game.
The good thing was there was a response for everyone to see. If we had played like we did in the second half before the break we would have won the game. There was a nervousness and we have to overcome that. The crowd were fantastic, particularly during the second half.
They saw the response from the players and they nearly got us over the line, so I thank them for that.
The table
| Latest match Sunday, 7th February 2010 |
Pld | Home | Away | Overall | Pts | GD | |||||||||||||||||
| W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | W | D | L | F | A | |||||||||
| 1 | Manchester United | 25 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 12 | 18 | 2 | 5 | 61 | 20 | 56 | +41 | ||||
| 2 | Chelsea | 24 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 12 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 58 | 20 | 55 | +38 | ||||
| 3 | Arsenal | 24 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 35 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 25 | 14 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 60 | 28 | 49 | +32 | ||||
| 4 | Liverpool | 25 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 43 | 26 | 44 | +17 | ||||
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 25 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 28 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 25 | 43 | +20 | ||||
| 6 | Manchester City | 23 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 28 | 14 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 8 | 4 | 45 | 32 | 41 | +13 | ||||
| 7 | Aston Villa | 24 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 31 | 18 | 41 | +13 | ||||
| 8 | Birmingham City | 24 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 16 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 | 24 | 37 | 0 | ||||
| 9 | Everton | 24 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 33 | 35 | 32 | -2 | ||||
| 10 | Fulham | 25 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 27 | 28 | 31 | -1 | ||||
| 11 | Stoke City | 23 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 26 | 29 | -4 | ||||
| 12 | Blackburn Rovers | 25 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 31 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 25 | 43 | 28 | -18 | ||||
| 13 | Sunderland | 24 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 12 | 27 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 31 | 41 | 25 | -10 | ||||
| 14 | Hull City | 25 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 18 | 20 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 25 | 50 | 24 | -25 | ||||
| 15 | Burnley | 24 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 8 | 35 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 25 | 47 | 23 | -22 | ||||
| 16 | Wigan Athletic | 23 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 34 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 25 | 48 | 23 | -23 | ||||
| 17 | Bolton Wanderers | 23 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 17 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 21 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 29 | 44 | 22 | -15 | ||||
| 18 | West Ham United | 24 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 20 | 4 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 40 | 21 | -10 | ||||
| 19 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 24 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 42 | 21 | -22 | ||||
| 20 | Portsmouth | 24 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 24 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 19 | 41 | 15 | -22 | ||||
Next game
The visit of Stoke is next up for the Latics on Tuesday 9th February. Tony Pulis' side beat Blackburn 3-0 and so will come to the DW Stadium full of confidence for what should be a very difficult game.