LIVE MATCH CENTRE
29 January, 2013
| Stoke City |
FT
22
|
Wigan Athletic |
Ryan Shawcross 23'
1 - 0
Peter Crouch 48'
2 - 0
2 - 1
James McArthur 50'
2 - 2
Franco Di Santo 61'
HT:
1 - 0
Britannia Stadium (Attendance: 24,421)
Stoke City
Asmir Begovic
1
Geoff Cameron
2
Ryan Shawcross
17
Robert Huth
4
Dean Whitehead
18
Glenn Whelan
6
Steven Nzonzi
15
Charlie Adam
16
Matthew Etherington
26
Jonathan Walters
19
Peter Crouch
25
Substitutes
Andy Wilkinson
28
Cameron Jerome
33
Kenwyne Jones
9
Michael Owen
10
Thomas Sorensen
29
Matthew Upson
20
Ryan Shotton
30
Wigan Athletic
26
Ali Al Habsi
25
Román Golobart
5
Gary Caldwell
31
Maynor Figueroa
17
Emmerson Boyce
16
James McArthur
4
James McCarthy
18
Roger Espinoza
22
Jean Beausejour
9
Franco Di Santo
10
Shaun Maloney
Substitutes
23
Ronnie Stam
15
Callum McManaman
6
David Jones
14
Jordi Gómez
1
Joel
27
Jordan Mustoe
11
Ángelo Henríquez
Referee: Michael Jones
90'
Game Over
Stoke City 2-2 Wigan Athletic
90'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Cross
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
90'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
90'
Cross
Cameron Jerome (Stoke City)
90'
Cross
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
90'
Foul
Jonathan Walters fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
90'
Shot
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
90'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
90'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
89'
Throw-In
Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
89'
Cross
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
88'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
88'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
87'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
87'
Shot on Target
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
87'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
87'
Substitution
Kenwyne Jones on for Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
86'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
85'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
84'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
84'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
83'
Throw-In
Román Golobart (Wigan Athletic)
83'
Substitution
Callum McManaman on for Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
83'
Cross
Cameron Jerome (Stoke City)
82'
Throw-In
Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
82'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
81'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
81'
Cross
Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
80'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
80'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
80'
Throw-In
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
79'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
79'
Cross
James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic)
79'
Cross
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
77'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
77'
Shot
Cameron Jerome (Stoke City)
77'
Offside
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
76'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
75'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
75'
Cross
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
74'
Shot on Target
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
73'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
72'
Cross
Cameron Jerome (Stoke City)
72'
Foul
Robert Huth fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
72'
Cross
Román Golobart (Wigan Athletic)
72'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
71'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
71'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
71'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
70'
Throw-In
Andy Wilkinson (Stoke City)
70'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
69'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
69'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
69'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
68'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
68'
Substitution
Andy Wilkinson on for Steven Nzonzi (Stoke City)
67'
Shot
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
67'
Cross
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
66'
Substitution
Cameron Jerome on for Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
66'
Foul
James McArthur fouled by Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
66'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
66'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
66'
Free Kick
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
65'
Foul
Charlie Adam fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
65'
Shot
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
64'
Corner Kick
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
64'
Shot on Target
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
63'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
63'
Foul
Roger Espinoza fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
62'
Foul
Ryan Shawcross fouled by Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
61'
Goal
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic), Assist by James McArthur
61'
Shot on Target
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
61'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
61'
Foul
James McCarthy fouled by Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
60'
Offside
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
60'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
60'
Free Kick
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
59'
Foul
Jean Beausejour fouled by Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
59'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
58'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
58'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
58'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
58'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
57'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
56'
Offside
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
56'
Cross
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
56'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
56'
Shot
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
56'
Free Kick
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
55'
Foul
Peter Crouch fouled by Román Golobart (Wigan Athletic)
54'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
53'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
53'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
52'
Cross
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
52'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
52'
Foul
Maynor Figueroa fouled by Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
52'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
51'
Cross
Román Golobart (Wigan Athletic)
50'
Goal
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic), Assist by Roger Espinoza
50'
Shot on Target
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
50'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
50'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
48'
Goal
Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
48'
Shot on Target
Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
48'
Shot on Target
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
48'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
48'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
47'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
47'
Throw-In
Ronnie Stam (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
46'
Start Half
45'
Half Over
Stoke City 1-0 Wigan Athletic
45'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Substitution
Ronnie Stam on for Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Cross
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
45'
Cross
Steven Nzonzi (Stoke City)
45'
Cross
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
45'
Free Kick
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
45'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Foul
Matthew Etherington fouled by Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Offside
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
45'
Cross
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
45'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
45'
Cross
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
45'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
44'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
44'
Free Kick
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
44'
Foul
Peter Crouch fouled by James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
44'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
43'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
43'
Throw-In
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
43'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
42'
Foul
James McArthur fouled by Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
42'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
42'
Shot
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
42'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
41'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
41'
Cross
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
41'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
40'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
40'
Foul
Jean Beausejour fouled by Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
39'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
39'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
38'
Offside
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
37'
Foul
Román Golobart fouled by Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
37'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
36'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
36'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
36'
Throw-In
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
36'
Shot
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
36'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
35'
Shot
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
35'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
35'
Cross
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
35'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
34'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
34'
Cross
Robert Huth (Stoke City)
33'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
33'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
33'
Free Kick
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
33'
Foul
Dean Whitehead fouled by Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
32'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
32'
Free Kick
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
31'
Foul
Peter Crouch fouled by James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
31'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
31'
Throw-In
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
30'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
30'
Cross
Robert Huth (Stoke City)
30'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
29'
Foul
Román Golobart fouled by Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
29'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
28'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
28'
Shot
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Shot
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Cross
James McArthur (Wigan Athletic)
27'
Cross
Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
27'
Cross
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
26'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
26'
Cross
Gary Caldwell (Wigan Athletic)
26'
Cross
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
24'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
24'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
24'
Cross
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
24'
Cross
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
23'
Goal
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
23'
Shot on Target
Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City)
23'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
23'
Free Kick
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
22'
Foul
Glenn Whelan fouled by Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
22'
Shot on Target
Franco Di Santo (Wigan Athletic)
20'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
20'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
20'
Throw-In
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
19'
Throw-In
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
19'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
19'
Cross
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
18'
Throw-In
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
18'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
18'
Shot
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
17'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
17'
Throw-In
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
16'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
15'
Shot
Steven Nzonzi (Stoke City)
15'
Shot
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
15'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
15'
Cross
Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic)
14'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
13'
Goal Kick
Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
12'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
12'
Shot
Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
12'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
12'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
11'
Cross
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic)
11'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
10'
Cross
Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic)
10'
Foul
Shaun Maloney fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
10'
Offside
Peter Crouch (Stoke City)
10'
Cross
Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic)
9'
Goal Kick
Ali Al Habsi (Wigan Athletic)
9'
Cross
Geoff Cameron (Stoke City)
9'
Throw-In
Charlie Adam (Stoke City)
9'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
8'
Throw-In
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
2'
Cross
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
2'
Foul
Jean Beausejour fouled by Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
1'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
1'
Throw-In
Matthew Etherington (Stoke City)
1'
Throw-In
Emmerson Boyce (Wigan Athletic)
1'
Start Half

Four of the last seven matches between these two sides have ended in a 2-2 draw and, with both sides leaking goals in recent weeks, we should have seen this coming. Things started positively enough for Stoke who took advantage of some ill-discipline and poor defending on Wigan's part to take the lead through Ryan Shawcross. Peter Crouch's goal just after the break put the Potters in full control but the collapse that followed was spectacular. Inspired by the dangerous trio of Roger Espinoza, James McArthur and Shaun Maloney, all much improved from their first half performances, Wigan reacted immediately. First, James McArthur halved the deficit before Franco Di Santo volleyed in a brilliant equaliser after a slick team move. For the final half an hour, it looked like there was only going to be one winner as a shell-shocked Stoke could only stand off and watch the Latics exhibit their polished passing style. The visitors couldn't find a winner but they'll settle for a point having been two goals behind. Tony Pulis and Stoke, on the other hand, have big problems.
That's full-time at the Britannia Stadium. Wigan have come from behind to grab a priceless point against Stoke City. It's finished Stoke 2 Wigan2.
That was the chance. Shaun Maloney evades Cameron Jerome and delivers a pinpoint cross for Franco Di Santo. Di Santo gets in front of Geoff Cameron but can't quite get his toe on the ball and direct it into the back of the net.
Three minutes of added-on time is signalled by the fourth official. Can either side find a winner?
As Stoke City fans leave in huge numbers, Wigan continue to attack. Ronnie Stam whips in a dangerous cross but there's nobody near the ball to head in.
With four minutes to go, it's still Wigan on top. They're enjoying plenty of possession inside the Stoke half and are probing in an attempt to find an unlikely winner. The way Stoke have imploded since scoring their second is highly worrying. Meanwhile Peter Crouch comes off as Kenwyne Jones is introduced.
There's a bit of movement in the Wigan dugout and Callum McManaman is going to come on for Roberto Martinez's side. The tricky winger replaces Jean Beausejour.
Jonathan Walters puts a deep cross into the Wigan box, finding Peter Crouch and Maynor Figueroa standing at the far post. Against all odds, the Wigan defender does enough to deal with the presence of Crouch and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
The boos are ringing around the Britannia Stadium as Wigan control possession inside the Stoke half. The Potters are failing to close the visitors down and the Latics are enjoying the freedom of the pitch at the moment.
In a rare Stoke chance in this second half, Cameron Jerome rolls Gary Caldwell on the edge of the Wigan box and gets a chance to pull the trigger. It's a tough angle though and his vicious strike goes wide at the near post.
It's been all Wigan since they scored the equaliser. The difference between their first half performance and second half performance is vast. Roger Espinoza and James McArthur are pushing forward and look far more dangerous. At the moment, it looks like there's only one side who could go on to win this.
Stoke are yet to deliver a decent cross in the second half - in stark contrast to the first. Cameron Jerome has a chance to put a decent ball into the box but he gets under the ball and only chips it into the Britannia Stadium crowd.
Andy Wilkinson has gone into a right-back position with Dean Whitehead coming into the central midfield area. Wigan have been having plenty of joy down their left flank and Wilkinson's introduction looks to be an attempt to halt that dominance. Steven N'Zonzi sits with his arms folded on the bench though - he's not happy with being replaced.
Stoke's second substitute follows promptly. Steven N'Zonzi is replaced by Andy Wilkinson - a decision which is met with derision by the home support.
Tony Pulis is withdrawing Charlie Adam and bringing on Cameron Jerome. It looks like Jonathan Walters will drop back into midfield to accommodate Jerome.
Franco Di Santo sprints 60 yards back towards his own goal, only to bundle Matthew Etherington to the ground and concede a dangerous free-kick. Wigan survive the resulting delivery but they have to cut out these silly fouls.
And Wigan nearly take the lead! James McArthur steams through Stoke's midfield and gets his shot on target but Asmir Begovic tips the ball wide for a corner.
Where did this come from?! In a lightning-fast counter attack, Roger Espinoza picks out Shaun Maloney at the back post who heads back across goal for Franco Di Santo. Di Santo grapples with Ryan Shawcross before volleying in from eight yards. We're all square.
Wigan are level! Franco Di Santo scores! It's 2-2!
Shaun Maloney has the ball in the back of the net for Wigan but he's flagged offside a long time beforehand. He'd ghosted in behind Ryan Shawcross but was half a yard behind the last defender when the ball was played.
Roman Golobart concedes yet another free-kick after grappling with Peter Crouch close to his own area. Charlie Adam takes it and sends Ali Al-Habsi the wrong way. Luckily for the wrong-footed Oman international, the ball sails just wide.
There's a bit of controversy here. Jonathan Walters was caught just outside the Wigan penalty box but Mike Jones plays advantage, even though Stoke found themselves 20 yards behind the point where the offence took place. The home supporters are not happy.
And Wigan reply instantly! Roger Espinoza's magnificent pass with the outside of his right boot carves open the Stoke City defence and James McArthur, bursting forward from midfield, finishes confidently. It's game on.
It's in! James McArthur halves the deficit!
Wigan had actually started the half on the front foot but Stoke have hit them on the counter attack. Charlie Adam carried the ball into the Wigan half before lashing towards goal. Ali Al-Habsi saves but can only push the ball into the path of the unmarked Peter Crouch, who side-foots into the back of the net. Stoke are in full control now.
It's in! Peter Crouch doubles Stoke's lead!
We're off again at the Britannia Stadium. Both teams re-emerge as they finished the second half. Can Wigan turn this one around or will Stoke continue to assert their dominance?
Both of these teams are in poor form and so relegation-threatened Wigan will have seen this game as a chance to pull themselves out of the drop zone. In reality, Stoke City have dominated. The visitors haven't got started yet and have looked a long way off the pace, conceding a number of free-kicks in dangerous areas - not the ideal tactic at the Britannia Stadium. Eventually they were made to pay as Ryan Shawcross capitalised on some slack Latics defending. Roberto Martinez made a late substitution in the first half which could lead to a change of shape. He must change something if Wigan are to gain some kind of foothold in this match.
After four minutes of added on time for the early injuries to Franco Di Santo and Robert Huth, the half-time whistle goes with Stoke City leading Wigan by a goal to nil.
Roger Espinoza has had a really poor game so far and he gets cautioned for a poor tackle on Matthew Etherington, again in dangerous territory. Wigan decide to make a change right at the end of the first half but it's not Espinoza to make way, it's Emmerson Boyce. Ronnie Stam is on.
Jean Beausejour gets in a good position again and this time stays on his feet, directing a low cross into the Stoke six-yard area. Asmir Begovic tips the ball away and Ryan Shawcross clears.
Jean Beausejour sprints down the left flank and goes down under Dean Whitehead's challenge. There's very little contact though and Mike Jones isn't interested in awarding a free-kick. Tony Pulis is furious on the sideline and wants the Chilean to be booked for simulation.
Wigan's best chance of the game falls to James McArthur. Jean Beausejour gets to the byline before driving the ball across the Stoke area. McArthur is arriving and attempts to guide it into the top corner but there's too much on the cross and he can only direct it over the bar.
The current lull in proceedings will be welcomed by Wigan who have struggled to deal with Stoke's physical presence. The visitors have played without purpose so far and Roberto Martinez will be hastily preparing his half-time team talk.
Stoke very nearly double their lead when Charlie Adam cuts inside from the left flank and executes a cross-cum-shot with his weaker right foot. The ball curls and dips but just wide of Ali Al-Habsi's left post.
It's more sloppy fouls from Wigan's point of view as first James McArthur bundles Peter Crouch over deep inside Latics territory and then Roger Espinoza does likewise to Dean Whitehead. The Potters can't make them pay though as Charlie Adam's delivery is poor on both occasions.
Wigan's main threat has come from Shaun Maloney who is drifting out to their left hand side. Some slick footwork sees him beat Ryan Shawcross inside the Stoke area but his ball across, aimed at Franco Di Santo, is intercepted by Robert Huth.
Peter Crouch has won everything in the air so far and nearly has a goal for his rewards. Jonathan Walters whips in a cross in his direction but the striker is flagged offside before he can reach the ball.
Roger Espinoza jumps all over Glenn Whelan and gives away a foul, 30 yards away from his own goal. Stoke send the defenders up and Whelan directs his free-kick towards them. James McCarthy should head the ball clear but fails to do so and it drops to Ryan Shawcross, who volleys into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
It's in! Ryan Shawcross puts Stoke ahead!
It's been a very slack few minutes for the visitors. First Shaun Maloney passes the ball straight out for a throw-in before Roman Golobart slices a direct pass through the middle of the pitch which ends up out of play halfway inside his own half. Roberto Martinez's side haven't got going.
Stoke's Charlie Adam is again in the thick of the action and drives the ball at Wigan's goal from 25 yards out. He connects with it well but the effort just whizzes past Ali Al-Habsi's far post.
Charlie Adam darts into the penalty area to meet a Peter Crouch knock-down but Roman Golobart is alert and can lob the ball into touch. Steven N'Zonzi then sees a bending effort blocked by Gary Caldwell. It's Stoke's best period of the game so far.
Wigan attack with purpose through Shaun Maloney but his ball into Franco Di Santo bounces off the Argentinean. Stoke break upfield but Jonathan Walters' strike from 30 yards out goes high and wide. This match is just beginning to heat up.
Stoke win a series of throw-ins deep in Wigan territory but with no Ryan Shotton or Rory Delap in the matchday squad, they don't provide as much of a threat as we are used to seeing from the Potters. Instead, the throw goes short and Charlie Adam's cross bounces out of play.
Robert Huth has sat up and things are looking a little more positive for him now. Nevertheless, Tony Pulis readies Matthew Upson on the touchline and the ex-England international prepares himself in the pouring rain, in case the big German defender can't continue. He's a warrior though and it looks like he's fine to continue.
Robert Huth and Franco Di Santo are down after a nasty clash of heads. Di Santo has drawn blood but is soon back to his feet. Huth, on the other hand, is still on the floor and is causing the medical personnel some concern.
It's been a low-key start here at the Britannia Stadium but the heavens have decided to open. Stoke look to have started this game with a back three - a formation which mirrors that of their opponents.
Mike Jones gets us underway at a blustery Britannia Stadium. Can Stoke City shore up their leaky defence or will Wigan Athletic be able to lift themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone? The hosts wear their red and white stripes while Wigan are sporting their black change kit.
He's been out of favour in recent weeks but Peter Crouch gets a recall to the Stoke City side for tonight's match. Charlie Adam also starts and looks set to play just off Crouch while Geoff Cameron returns to the Potters' back four. Wigan's Roman Golobart keeps his place in the centre of Roberto Martinez's defensive trio but the Latics do make eight changes from the weekend victory over Macclesfield Town. Angelo Henriquez and Jordi Gomez are among those who miss out but are both named on the bench, as are youth products Callum McManaman and Jordan Mustoe.
Ali Al Habsi; Roman Golobart, Gary Caldwell, Maynor Figueroa; Emmerson Boyce, James McCarthy, James McArthur, Roger Espinoza, Jean Beausejour; Shaun Maloney, Franco Di Santo. Bench: Joel Robles, Ronnie Stam, Jordan Mustoe, Jordi Gomez, David Jones, Callum McManaman, Angelo Henriquez.
Asmir Begovic; Dean Whitehead, Robert Huth, Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron; Jonathan Walters, Steven N'Zonzi, Glenn Whelan, Charlie Adam, Matthew Eherington; Peter Crouch. Bench: Thomas Sorensen, Matthew Upson, Andy Wilkinson, Ryan Shotton, Kenwyne Jones, Michael Owen, Cameron Jerome.
Cheshire-born Mike Jones is the man-in-the-middle for this evening's game. Jones has been a Premier League official since the 2008/09 season and his first ever top-flight match involved Wigan, as they travelled to Hull City. In 13 Premier League matches this season, he has handed out 49 yellow cards and two red cards. One of those dismissals was given to a Latics man, with Maynor Figueroa seeing red in the 12th minute against Newcastle United at St James' Park.
These two sides shared the spoils in the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium in a 2-2 draw. Stoke came from behind twice as Jonathan Walters and then Peter Crouch cancelled out goals from Shaun Maloney and Franco Di Santo, respectively. The Britannia Stadium match last season also resulted in a four-goal share of the spoils as Ben Watson fired in a late penalty to claim a point for Wigan. In fact, four of the last seven matches between these two sides have resulted in 2-2 draws.
Roberto Martinez will recall a number of first team players after naming a weakened side for the weekend FA Cup victory over non-league Macclesfield Town. That is likely to mean returns to action for Franco Di Santo, Jean Beausejour and Gary Caldwell, among others. Youngster Callum McManaman, who impressed against the Silkmen, will be keen to be involved again but Antolin Alcaraz and Fraser Fyvie have injuries.
Stoke City will welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Asmir Begovic after he was rested for the loss to Manchester City on Saturday, meaning Thomas Sorensen will drop to the bench. Geoff Cameron, who has been suffering from a tight hamstring, should be fit enough to start too while Glenn Whelan, who has escaped punishment for a horror tackle at the weekend, is free to start in central midfield. With speculation continuing over Kenwyne Jones' future at the club, out-of-favour Peter Crouch may hold hopes of regaining his place up front.
Lowly Wigan Athletic may see their trip of out-of-form Stoke City as an opportunity to pull themselves out of the Premier League drop zone. Tony Pulis' side have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and have only their form at the back end of 2012 to thank for a relatively stable league position. Wigan's form isn't much more impressive though - the Latics have just one Premier League win since the end of November. They do have the capability to spring a surprise away from home though, with wins at Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Ham and Southampton so far this season and so Stoke will have to be on their guard at the Britannia Stadium tonight.