3 points is three points and as I said in my preview this was a tricky fixture full of Banana skin possibilities therefore we will take the 40 points we have and move on. If there is anything to take from this performance it was the resilience and determination that was Blues trade mark has returned.

In the first half Blues played some decent stuff, at times. The rain had made the pitch slicker and both sides were able to move the ball around nicely. Maybe someone could tell the grounds man to let the sprinklers loose on this bare ground.  It would help improve the football no end.

Apart from one moment when Hart flapped at a corner and panic set in Wigan were no threat. Several goal attempts ensued and Blues had to employ some bravery to block those attempts.  After several hacks at the ball they eventually cleared their lines.

Blues should have opened the scoring when a delightful Larsson free kick was headed against the crossbar by Scott Dann. Dann indeed missed two more headers from corners after heading past the post each time. The second of these came just after half time.

Jerome who had the beating of the cumbersome Bramble had one shot which was well wide and a second from the edge of the boss which brought out a great save from Kirkland. It was Kirkland who kept his side level when a good move down the left gave Ridgewell the chance to cross. His effort was perfect as Mcfadden or maybe a defender rifled the ball from 5 yards. The ball rebounded from the chest of Kirkland and away to safety.

In spite of Blues superiority there was a feeling that the end product was not there.  It was left to Mario Melchiot to repay some of the vast amount of salary that he took from us with a ludicrous challenge on Fahey. The Irishman was on the corner of the penalty area going away from danger when Melchiot lunged and felled the Blues midfielder. The excellent Mr Taylor pointed to the spot and Mcfadden slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Although Blues were worth their lead it was difficult to see either side scoring from open play. Wigan decided to have a go in the second half and brought on Moses and Scotland.  They proved to be no more effective than anyone else on display but Wigan monopolised the play for almost the entire second half.  Blues were frankly awful for the rest of the game but hardly gave Wigan a sight of goal. The exception was when Dann and Ridgewell got themselves in a tangle and an excellent pass left Rodellega with an opportunity. Hart showed his undoubted international quality by coming quickly out and blocking the shot.

The rest of the game was played in the Blues final third where the resolution of Alex’s men kept the clean sheet that seems to be necessary for Blues to win. The only other noteworthy incident was when Johnson and McCarthy were going headlong after the ball as it went towards the corner flag. Johnson took the ball, the opponent, the corner flag and amazingly the linesman onto the running track. While the players and the flag were restored to full repair the Assistant Referee was stretchered off. While we all wish Mr Massey well it does demonstrate the official’s lack of understanding of the game of football.  Had he arrived a metre away from the incident he would have been able to see all he needed and could have gone home under his own steam.

Mr Steve Bennett the fourth official took over the flag and showed that he hadn’t done that job for ages. The game was brought back for an offside when Blues had cleared the ball comfortably and the game was stopped with the ball 10 yards into Wigan’s half.

If Blues hadn’t got their mind on other things when the game started, it appeared that having taken the lead there minds were drifting towards Fratton Park.

Blues: Joe Hart, Stephen Carr (Craig Gardner, 84), Lee Bowyer, Liam Ridgewell, Sebastian Larsson, Cameron Jerome (Michel, 90 +7), Barry Ferguson, Roger Johnson, Scott Dann, James McFadden (Kevin Phillips, 64), Keith Fahey.

Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Chucho, Stuart Parnaby, Gregory Vignal.

Goals: McFadden (45+2)

Bookings: Liam Ridgewell

Latics: Chris Kirkland, Gary Caldwell, Hendry Thomas, Paul Scharner (Jason Scotland, 45), Charles N’Zogbia (Victor Moses, 45), Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega, James McCarthy (Jordi Gomez, 85), Mario Melchiot, Mohamed Diame, Maynor Figueroa.

Subs not used: Vladimir Stojkovic, Scott Sinclair, Emmerson Boyce, Marcelo Moreno.

Goals: None

Bookings: N’Zogbia (39), Rodallega (48), Caldwell (70)

Referee: A Taylor (Cheshire)

Attendance: 25,921 (away fans 652)

By Alan Watton