Wigan Athletic - 1 Newcastle Utd - 0: Graeme Souness's future as Newcastle manager appeared increasing precarious last night after his £50 million team were knocked out of the League Cup by a weakened Wigan side made up of fringe players and reserves. Having been thoroughly outplayed for much of the match Newcastle looked to have survived largely through a superb goalkeeping display by Shay Given, but with three minutes remaining Robbie Elliott hauled down Jason Roberts in the penalty area giving David Connolly the chance to convert from the spot.
The Wigan striker made no mistake, sending Given the wrong way to inflict a defeat that prompted chants of "Souness out" at the final whistle.
The first half was dominated by Wigan. Indeed, the visitors failed to register a single shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes. Newcastle's travelling supporters, whose numbers must have doubled the attendance, deserved better than to see their team of lavishly-paid internationals thoroughly outplayed by what effectively amounted to Wigan's reserves.
Only the agility of Given, who came to Newcastle's rescue time and again, prevented Wigan from entering the interval comfortably ahead. The Newcastle goalkeeper's most notable contribution arrived eight minutes before the break when he dived low to his right to deny McCulloch. The loose ball ran invitingly into the path of David Connolly but the Republic of Ireland international, from no more than six yards, was again thwarted by Given who regained his footing to save impressively.
Given was proving to be McCulloch's nemesis. In the 16th minute the Newcastle keeper turned the Wigan striker's 20-yard shot around the post while later in the half he produced a superb one-handed save to tip a rasping drive over the bar. He had to be similarly alert to block Andreas Johansson's close-range effort in the 25th minute. Little wonder that Newcastle left the field at half-time to a chorus of boos, only Given had his reputation safe.
Newcastle were brighter after the interval and might have taken the lead within three minutes but Scott Parker's volley from the edge of the area skipped past the near upright. Moments later Alan Shearer met Nolberto Solano's inswinging free-kick at the far post only for Johansson to hack clear.
The visitors' search for a goal prompted Souness to replace Luque with Michael Chopra in the second half. However, at the other end Wigan's threat remained with Josip Skoko, making his first start, hammering an 18-yard drive narrowly wide. Belozoglu Emre went closer still in the 67th minute when his left-foot shot cannoned off the foot of the post via the hand of Pollitt.
Guardian Service
WIGAN: Pollitt, Taylor, Jackson, Thome (Henchoz 30), McMillan (Baines 45), McCulloch, Teale, Skoko, Mahon, Connolly, Johansson (Roberts 69). Subs not used: Francis, Bullard. Goal: Connolly 88 pen. Booked: Skoko.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Ramage, Boumsong, Elliott, N'Zogbia, Bowyer (Brittain 45), Parker, Solano, Emre (Faye 71), Shearer, Luque (Chopra 57). Subs not used: Harper, Clark. Booked: Emre.
Referee: S Bennett (Kent)
