What the Papers Say

Theloss of Skipper Arjan De Zeeuw, Matt Jackson and Lee McCulloch all in the first half certainly influenced the outcome of this game. Wigan looked relatively comfortable before the injuries, but after having to play the right back, Pascal Chimbonda at centre back, bringing Paul Scharner off the bench and playing left back Leighton Baines at right back Wigans control of the game wained.

Heres what a selection of newspapers thought about Wigan's first defeat in seven away games.

The Times

Shearer aimes to go out on high as Newcastle close in on Europe

There is no modern player with greater cunning than Alan Shearer. When Wigan lost both central defenders to injury within 20 minutes, Pascal Chimbonda and Paul Scharner replaced them; handling Shearer proved an unwinnable ordeal. Having grasped an early advantage through Jimmy Bullard's free kick, they were pummelled without mercy and, by half-time, trailed 2-1. Shearer equalised from the spot and Titus Bramble converted a free header.

Irrespective of this result, Wigan can already reflect on success — “I would hope the chairman would be supportive after two promotions and a season like this,” Paul Jewell, their manager, said.

The Sun

Newcastle 3 Wigan 1

Newcastle's unlikely late charge for Europe gathered pace as skipper Alan Shearer grabbed a double to kill off Wigan.

Paul Jewell's side had gone in front courtesy of Jimmy Bullard's superb fifth-minute free-kick.

But they lost captain Arjan De Zeeuw, central defensive partner Matt Jackson and Lee McCulloch to injury before the break, and by that time they were already reeling.

Shearer's spot-kick levelled the scores and Titus Bramble headed the home side in front nine minutes before half-time as the Magpies inflicted a first away league defeat in seven on their opponents.

The Independent

Shearer fires the Newcastle revival

Leading through an exquisite Jimmy Bullard free-kick, the visitors then lost two centre-halves, their advantage and the ailing Lee McCulloch before the first half had finished. Arjan De Zeeuw suffered a suspected broken collarbone following a collision with Shearer and Matt Jackson damaged his right knee after a mid-air meeting with the studs of goalkeeper John Filan.

Worse was to follow. First Shearer scored from the penalty spot, after Reto Ziegler had pulled down Michael Chopra, and then Titus Bramble rose to head home Nolberto Solano's corner. Wigan's manager, Paul Jewell, was left pondering tomorrow night's meeting with Aston Villa.

"We have had a wonderful season and I'm not complaining," he said, after Shearer scored United's third 24 minutes from time. "But we just suffered too many injuries to key players and we could be struggling for the Villa game."