Barclays Premier League

FULL-TIME REPORT

This was the archetypal 'game of two halves'. Despite David Vaughan's early own goal which gave Wigan the lead, the first period was dominated by Sunderland, whose high-tempo, attacking game gave the hosts all sorts of problems. Two great Steven Fletcher strikes, along with a Craig Gardner penalty, put the visitors in control at half-time. However the Wigan side which emerged in the second half was a far cry from the flat, predictable outfit which limped along in the opening 45 minutes. A relentless stream of pressure forced Sunderland deeper and deeper but the visitors defended staunchly to frustrate Roberto Martinez's men. Angelo Henriquez's header briefly gave the hosts some hope of redemption but it wasn't enough to deny Sunderland their first victory after falling behind since Martin O'Neill's first game at the helm. The Latics remain firmly threatened by relegation and could be in the drop zone by tonight if Aston Villa get anything from their trip to West Brom.

FULL-TIME WHISTLE

There's the full-time whistle. A breathless game has finished Wigan Athletic 2 Sunderland 3.

GOMEZ BALLOON

This is relentless pressure in the dying moments. It looks like Wigan's efforts will be in vain though, as Jordi Gomez's twist on the edge of the area ends in him ballooning the ball over the bar. Ahmed Elmohamady is on for Sunderland in place of David Vaughan.

FIVE ADDED MINUTES

Sunderland scramble the ball away to the edge of the penalty area where James McCarthy's shot is blocked by a desperate dive. There will be five minutes of added on time here.

SUNDERLAND EDGY

Roberto Martinez is barking orders on the sideline as Wigan try to grab a point in the final moments here. Sunderland are looking increasingly desperate at the back, hacking at loose balls in their own penalty area.

BOSELLI OVER

Roger Espinoza breaks down the left flank and chips the ball up to the far post. Mauro Boselli is there but he's crowded out by Sunderland defenders and can only head the ball over.

SUNDERLAND BREATHER

Angelo Henriquez catches Jack Colback in the face in an aerial challenge which earns him a yellow card. It also gives Sunderland a chance to catch their breath in between Wigan sieges. Phil Bardsley comes on for Stephane Sessegnon, too.

REGRETFUL SUNDERLAND?

Could Sunderland live to regret those missed opportunities during this second half? They have been a threat on the break but haven't been able to find the net and now they face a stern test against this Wigan side. Maynor Figueroa takes aim from 30 yards but his ferocious shot whizzes just over.

HENRIQUEZ HEADER

What a finish we have here! Shaun Maloney clips the ball to the far post and 18-year-old Angelo Henriquez is there, unmarked, to head the ball into the net. The last ten minutes are now going to be one big Wigan assault on Simon Mignolet's goal.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's there! Angelo Henriquez for Wigan!

ALL-OUT ATTACK

Wigan introduce Mauro Boselli for Franco Di Santo in a last-ditch attempt to get something from the game. Roberto Martinez is now employing what is essentially a 2-5-3 formation. Time is running out though.

GOMEZ OVER

Wigan get another free-kick within range of Sunderland's goal as Alfred N'Diaye clips James McArthur. Jordi Gomez steps up again but it curls over Mignolet's bar. Meanwhile Adam Johnson is replaced by James McClean for the Black Cats.

OFF THE POST

Wigan introduce striker Angelo Henriquez in place of Emmerson Boyce. He's in the thick of the action straight away, laying the ball off for Jordi Gomez who is pulled down by Titus Bramble just outside the Sunderland area. Shaun Maloney takes it and Simon Mignolet sees the ball clip his right-hand post and go out for a goal kick.

SESSEGNON POOR

Stephane Sessegnon has made a mess of that! Another fantastic break involving Steven Fletcher and David Vaughan ends in Sessegnon bearing down on goal. He hesitates, letting Gary Caldwell in, before trying to get the ball on his right foot. In the end, Caldwell gets in to clear and the Sunderland players have their heads in their hands.

OFF THE BAR

Wigan are firmly camped in Sunderland territory and are hoping to wear down the visitors. Shaun Maloney ghosts in behind Jack Colback who pulls down the Scot in a dangerous area to the right of the penalty box. He gets cautioned and gives away a threatening free-kick. Jordi Gomez hits it at goal and the ball takes a deflection off Steven Fletcher before clipping the bar and going over.

MALONEY WIDE

More pressure from the hosts. Roger Espinoza squeezes the ball out wide for Shaun Maloney who cuts inside but slashes the ball wide.

NO HANDBALL

The pressure is mounting for Sunderland. Wigan continue to probe and a Jean Beausejour cross is hacked behind by John O'Shea. From the corner, Franco Di Santo smashes the ball at goal and it seems to hit Sebastian Larsson's hand but the penalty is not given. Wigan are furious and Beausejour is booked for his over-the-top protestations.

BLACK CATS ORGANISED

Wigan are enjoying much more possession and territory since half-time but are finding it extremely difficult to create any real chances because Sunderland are very well organised.

CONTRASTING STYLES

The contrasts in style between these two teams is obvious. Wigan's build-up play is slow and predictable while Sunderland are breaking with pace and purpose. The hosts surely have to change their game plan if they're going to get back into this.

MCARTHUR APPEAL

Shaun Maloney feeds the ball in to James McArthur who had ghosted in behind David Vaughan. McArthur gets a nudge from the Sunderland midfielder, sparking half-hearted penalty appeals from the home faithful but Anthony Taylor isn't interested.

LARSSON COUNTER

Sunderland counter attack with fantastic pace as Stephane Sessegnon slides the ball into Sebastian Larsson. Larsson's first-time shot is driven just wide of the far post and Wigan have a big let-off.

MIGNOLET GREAT STOP

What a save by Simon Mignolet! Patient build-up from Wigan ended in Franco Di Santo laying the ball off for Shaun Maloney, whose goalbound effort was fantastically tipped around the post by Mignolet.

WIGAN IMPROVEMENTS

Wigan have started the half well with James McArthur and Shaun Maloney both having half-chances for the hosts. Roger Espinoza has slotted into midfield alongside McArthur and James McCarthy.

BACK UNDERWAY

We're back underway at the DW Stadium, Can Wigan somehow find a way of troubling Sunderland's back four, while keeping Steven Fletcher quiet at the other end? Roger Espinoza is on for Wigan at half-time, replacing Ronnie Stam.

HALF-TIME REPORT

When David Vaughan directed the ball into his own goal just minutes into the first half, it looked like Sunderland were in for a rough day. They hadn't come from behind to win in the Premier League since Martin O'Neill's first Black Cats match. However Wigan were completely absent for the entirety of the half. First Craig Gardner smashed home a penalty after Emmerson Boyce handled a Sebastian Larsson free-kick inside his own area. Two fantastic Steven Fletcher goals followed, with his second strike in particular a glorious finish. Wigan were flat, predictable and thoroughly poor and Roberto Martinez has a big team talk if they're going to turn this one around.

HALF-TIME WHISTLE

Anthony Taylor blows his whistle to bring the curtain down on a thoroughly entertaining half of Premier League football. It's Wigan Athletic 1 Sunderland 3.

POOR FROM WIGAN

Ronnie Stam drives the ball at goal but Simon Mignolet opts to help the ball over his own bar, giving Wigan a last chance to reply before half-time. Again they go short though and the chance disappears.

BEAUSEJOUR OFFSIDE

Wigan almost reply immediately but Jean Beausejour's drive across goal can't pick out a team mate. He was flagged offside regardless.

FLETCHER ON FIRE

A direct free-kick is aimed towards Steven Fletcher, who flicks the ball on for Adam Johnson. Johnson can't sort his feet out to get a shot at goal and instead feeds the ball back to Fletcher, whose left-footed finish is precise, powerful and absolutely fantastic.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's 3-1 to Sunderland! Steven Fletcher scores again!

SLOPPY FIGUEROA

In a phase of play which sums up Wigan's half, Maynor Figueroa hesitates on the ball before attempting to pick out Jean Beausejour, but his pass is behind the Chilean and goes out for a throw-in.

N'DIAYE DOMINANT

Roberto Martinez's men are extremely tentative going forward. Their build-up play is slow and, at times, predictable, meaning the likes of Alfred N'Diaye, who has been excellent on his full debut, is having no trouble cleaning up in midfield.

VAUGHAN FLUFF

That was a great chance for David Vaughan to make amends for his own goal. The ball falls to the Welsh midfielder inside the Wigan box, towards the right-hand side. It looks like an ideal chance to try and bend the ball into the far corner with his left boot, but he pulls his effort wide of the near post.

BRAMBLE V DI SANTO

Former Wigan player Titus Bramble has had Franco Di Santo in his back pocket so far. In their most recent tussle, Bramble gets a kick in the face for his troubles as the Argentinean attempts an overhead kick. The defender is made of strong stuff though and gets back to his feet almost immediately.

GOMEZ VOLLEY

Wigan are being restricted to efforts from long range. Jordi Gomez sees the ball skip up off the turf, inviting him to attempt an outrageous volley from 30 yards but the ball loops straight into the arms of Simon Mignolet.

WIGAN SHOT

James McArthur's deflected shot from 25 yards bobbles into the welcome hands of Simon Mignolet - a strike which is greeted with cheers from the visiting Sunderland fans. That's Wigan's first real effort of the game, not counting the farcical own goal.

ALL SUNDERLAND

Since scoring, somewhat fortuitously, Wigan have been outplayed in every single aspect of this game. Sunderland are playing with a midfield three which is negating any central dominance that Wigan may have anticipated having if the visitors adopted their usual 4-4-2 system.

FLETCHER AGAIN

Alfred N'Diaye puts a great cross into the Wigan box and Steven Fletcher's header is parried by Ali Al-Habsi. The ball falls back to Fletcher who volleys it into the roof of the net. That's his fifth goal in seven appearances against the Latics and Sunderland are ahead.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's 2-1 to Sunderland! Steven Fletcher scores!

BLACK CATS RESURGENCE

Replays suggest that the ball did indeed strike a stray Wigan hand inside the penalty area. Craig Gardner's penalty was convincing and Sunderland, who haven't come from behind to win a Premier League game since Martin O'Neill's first game, must now have ambitions to emerge victorious.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

Craig Gardner sends Ali Al-Habsi the wrong way! It's 1-1.

SUNDERLAND PENALTY

Wigan's Emmerson Boyce goes into the book after tripping the tricky Adam Johnson in a dangerous area, 20 yards from goal. Sebastian Larsson takes the free-kick and the ball hits the hand of a Wigan defender. Anthony Taylor awards a penalty kick.

JOHNSON BRIGHT

Adam Johnson races off down the left flank and whips an excellent ball into the 'corridor of uncertainty'. Steven Fletcher is in there but doesn't react quick enough to poke the ball past Ali Al-Habsi.

WASTEFUL WIGAN

The home support are very frustrated by that. Having sent the centre backs forward for a free-kick, Wigan decide to take the set piece short and Sunderland snuff out the opportunity. Jean Beausejour could have put the ball into a decent area and given the Latics a chance of doubling their lead but the chance is wasted.

POSITIVE RESPONSE

Sebastian Larsson, whose earlier cross had found Fletcher, puts another excellent delivery into the area and picks out John O'Shea. O'Shea's header dips just wide of the post though. It's a good response from Sunderland since going behind.

N'DIAYE HEADER

What a chance for Sunderland! Alfred N'Diaye heads over the bar from six yards out after Steven Fletcher's deft flick-on. If roles were reversed there you have to feel the Black Cats would be level.

VAUGHAN OWN GOAL

Wigan's first real attack carved open Sunderland's defence and Jean Beausejour's excellent cut-back found the opposite wing-back Ronnie Stam. Stam fluffed his goalbound effort but David Vaughan's outstretched leg deflected the ball past Simon Mignolet.

GOOOAAALLL!!!

It's in! An own goal from David Vaughan puts Wigan ahead!

STAM DOWN

Wigan have an early problem. Ronnie Stam, who has come in for the injured Ivan Ramis, has gone down injured. Initially it looked a bad one but the Dutchman is soon back to his feet and can continue.

WE'RE OFF

Referee Anthony Taylor blows his whistle and Wigan Athletic get us underway at the DW Stadium. The home side are in their blue and white shirts while Sunderland are in their familiar red and white stripes.

STAM AND FLETCHER START

It looks like Emmerson Boyce will come go back into Wigan's back three today with Ronnie Stam taking his place as right wing-back. New signings Joel Robles, Angelo Henriquez and Roger Espinoza make Roberto Martinez's bench. Meanwhile Steven Fletcher starts up front for Sunderland who also include Alfred N'Diaye in their starting XI for the first time.

CONFIRMED SUNDERLAND STARTING LINE-UP

Simon Mignolet; Craig Gardner, John O'Shea, Titus Bramble, Jack Colback; Adam Johnson, Alfred N'Diaye, David Vaughan, Sebastian Larsson; Stephane Sessegnon, Steven Fletcher. Subs: Kieren Westwood, Connor Wickham, James McFadden, Matthew Kilgallon, James McClean, Ahmed Elmohamady, Phil Bardsley.

CONFIRMED WIGAN STARTING LINE-UP

Ali Al Habsi; Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa; Jean Beausejour, James McArthur, James McCarthy, Jordi Gomez, Ronnie Stam; Shaun Maloney, Franco Di Santo. Subs: Joel Robles, David Jones, Angelo Henriquez, Callum McManaman, Roger Espinoza, Mauro Boselli, Roman Golobart.

REF WATCH

Cheshire-based referee Anthony Taylor will be in charge of today's clash. Taylor, who refereed his first Premier League match almost three years ago, has handed out only 26 yellow cards in his 14 matches in the top division this season. However his tally of five dismissals issued is as many as any other official.

FLETCHER RETURN

Sunderland and Martin O'Neill will be hopeful that Steven Fletcher will be fit to start the game after missing the midweek FA Cup defeat to Bolton Wanderers because of illness. Alfred N'Diaye also sat out that match due to ineligibility but may be handed a start today - especially due to the ongoing absence of Lee Cattermole due to injury. David Vaughan will also be vying for that midfield place but Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar and Wes Brown are not likely to be involved.

RAMIS BLOW

Roberto Martinez's Wigan have been hit by the shattering news that defender Ivan Ramis will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Antolin Alcaraz also misses out today, leaving Wigan short at the back. As a result, new signing Roger Espinoza may be thrown into the starting XI alongside Gary Caldwell and Maynor Figueroa. Angelo Henriquez, who joined on loan from Manchester United earlier this month, will also be pressing for a start. Adrian Lopez, Ryo Miyaichi and Ben Watson remain long-term absentees.

MATCH PREVIEW

As the Premier League campaign continues its back stretch towards the end of the season, both of these sides remain firmly embroiled in a battle against relegation. While Sunderland have enjoyed a recent revival, winning five of their last eight games, Wigan have not, having won just once in their last nine. That has left the Latics teetering just above the drop zone, with only goal difference separating themselves and Aston Villa. The Black Cats are six points above their opponents today but will be wary not to get sucked back into the thick of the dogfight. Either way, the result of today's match could be a vital one by the end of the season.