Match report: Wolves 1 Wigan 2
Dec 26 2010 By Phil Medlicott, Press Association Sport
Wigan moved out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after taking all three points from their basement battle with Wolves at Molineux.
Hugo Rodallega gave the Latics the lead in the ninth minute when he volleyed past Wayne Hennessey and the Colombian striker then turned provider just over 10 minutes later, feeding the ball to Tom Cleverley, who slotted home to make it 2-0.
Wanderers, who had two penalty appeals turned down before the interval, pulled one back through substitute Steven Fletcher late on but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Wigan held out to secure a precious victory.
The pressure surrounding the game had been increased by West Ham's 3-1 triumph at Fulham earlier in the day, which took Avram Grant's side off the bottom of the table.
Wolves have taken their place at the foot of the league, while Wigan are up to 16th off the back of what was their first win since November 13.
The visitors created the first opening after only two minutes as Ronnie Stam sent a useful cross into the box, but James McArthur could get no power on a header which Hennessey collected comfortably.
The hosts responded with a spell of pressure and Stephen Ward won a corner after linking up well with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake. It was taken by Stephen Hunt and caused a scramble in the area but the Latics managed to get the ball away.
Three minutes later, another corner led to Wigan going ahead. It was only partially cleared by the Wolves defence and the ball was sent back into the box, where Gary Caldwell flicked it over several golden shirts and Rodallega turned to fire it past Hennessey.
