McCarthy strike sinks Wolves

Posted Sunday, January 17, 2010 by PA

James McCarthy celebrated his first start in the Barclays Premier League by setting Wigan on the way to their first win in six games beating fellow struggles Wolves 2-0 at Molineux.

McCarthy, signed last summer from Hamilton, followed up his debut goal against Hull in the FA Cup with the 59th-minute opener before Charles N'Zogbia added the second for the Latics.

Wolves goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann also saved a Hugo Rodallega penalty and both sides ended the game with 10 men as Wolves defender Richard Stearman and Wigan midfielder Hendry Thomas were sent off.

Wigan looked the more threatening and Hahnemann needed two attempts to cling onto a 30-yard free-kick from Thomas. Hahnemann was then beaten by a fierce 25-yard drive from Rodallega, but it cannoned off a post.

There was drama in the closing seconds of the half with Stearman sent off and Hahnemann saving a penalty.

Stearman gave away a spot-kick when he tugged at McCarthy`s shirt and was dismissed for a second bookable offence. But Hahnemann saved the penalty from Rodallega and then Paul Scharner sent the rebound wide.

Hahnemann again came to Wolves' rescue when he kept out a fierce shot from Rodallega, but Wigan finally made the breakthrough after 59 minutes.

N'Zogbia shook off the challenge of Ward and squared the ball back to Rodallega who once again was denied by Hahnemann at close range. But this time the rebound fell to McCarthy who made no mistake.

Wigan were also reduced to 10 men after 66 minutes when Thomas committed his second bookable offence via a foul on Ward.

N'Zogbia doubled Wigan's lead with 18 minutes left. The impressive Rodallega shrugged off the challenge of Mancienne before the ball broke into the path of N'Zogbia and he cut in from the right before netting.