Moyes stony-faced as Wigan cry foul over winner
Wigan Athletic 0 Everton 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.They have managed it only once in 22 seasons, but could Everton finish above Liverpool this year? Derby week on Merseyside begins with Rafael Benitez's side nine points ahead, but David Moyes' Everton have momentum ahead of their visit to Anfield next Saturday lunchtime.
Victory in Moyes' 600th game as a manager will reduce that gap to six and Everton have a game in hand. The blue half of Merseyside last finished above the red in 2005, when Everton finished three points and one place higher. A repeat of that feat may be a tall order but Everton, who are on the up and up, should not be underestimated.
Having dropped to 16th in the table with a 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool at the end of November, Everton will make the trip across Stanley Park on the first weekend in February on a nine-match unbeaten run which includes three successive wins, all with clean sheets. They have played much better than they did here, too – against Wigan they produced a gritty and workmanlike performance, Tim Cahill's sixth goal of the season, six minutes from time, sealing the win.
"It was a trademark goal by Tim and it continues the good run we're on," said Moyes, who refused to talk up his side's chances of sneaking into Europe next season. "We can't aim too high too soon. We've got a tough month coming up."
So have Wigan, but their predicament is much more serious. Roberto Martinez's side, who are flirting dangerously with relegation, have won once in eight League games and have lost three of the last four.
Martinez claimed that Maynor Figueroa, who was supposed to be marking Cahill, had had his foot stamped on, allowing the Australian to rise unchallenged and head home a corner by the former Wigan left-back Leighton Baines.
Moyes countered: "What about Gary Caldwell's pull [on Louis Saha] in the first minute? Stonewall. What about Marouane Fellaini's goal that was disallowed? Stonewall."
Wigan might have got something from the game had their forwards been more accurate. Hugo Rodallega and Jason Scotland, who has not scored a League goal since a £2million move from Swansea last summer, both missed before Cahill struck.
"It's a tough blow to take," Martinez said. "We can't keep giving cheap goals away. Our aim is to stay in the Premier League and it's going to be a real test of character. We should have got a point at Blackburn on Wednesday and we should have got a point today."
Attendance: 16,869
Referee: Lee Probert
Man of the match: Cahill
Match rating: 7/10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments