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Wigan Athletic and Manchester City played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on Sunday at the DW stadium. Wigan took the lead late in the 1st half through Charles N'Zogbia only for Martin Petrov to score the equalizing goal for City in the 47th minute. City also had to contend with going down to 10 men after Pablo Zabaleta's dismissal in the 65th minute.

Roberto Martinez picked Hugo Rodallega and Jason Sc otland as the strike pairing for Wigan, with Paul Scharner and Charles N'Zogbia providing more attacking threats from midfield.

On the other hand, City started without Kolo Toure, who was out with a heel injury. Stephen Ireland was on the bench and Martin Petrov got a start in place of the injured Craig Bellamy. Carlos Tevez and Emmanuel Adebayor were their two forwards for this game with Nigel De Jong partnering Gareth Barry in the center of a deep lying midfield.

Both sides struggled to find space and create goal scoring opportunities in the first half. But Wigan's hard work paid off in the end as they went into the lead right on the stroke of half time. Titus Bramble's long clearance found its way to Rodallega around the left edge of the City penalty area. Rodallega's fierce left footed effort was palmed away by Shay Given, but the Irish shot stopper was helpless with N'Zogbia's storming in ahead of the defender to slam the ball home into an empty net. The first half ended 1-0 in favour of Wigan.

City responded immediately after the restart through Bulgarian winger Martin Petrov. Tevez's ball from the left flank found its way towards Petrov inside the box and he made no mistake in guiding the ball past an outstretched Chris Kirkland into the back of the net. With the scores level, Wigan started dominating possession, but it was City who were creating the better chances playing on the counter-attack. Kirkland made two good saves from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Gareth Barry in the 53rd and the 64th minutes respectively.

But just as it looked like City would go on and win this game , the tide shifted again with the sending off of Pablo Zabaleta. The Argentine right back was shown a second yellow for his rash challenge on Jason Scotland just seconds after Barry's effort at the other end, leaving referee Alan Wiley with no option but to send him off. Mohamed Diame went close for Wigan soon after the sending off, but his curling shot from just outside the box, went inches wide.

Man City should have had a penalty in the 81st minute, but the referee Alan Wiley deemed Figueroa's lunge on Wright-Phillips a fair one. Soon after, Jordi Gomez had a chance to put the home side ahead, but his effort from a difficult angle was deflected behind for a corner by Given.

Rodallega should have won the game for Wigan right at the death, but his effort from inside the 6 yard box was saved by a rapidly advancing Shay Given. In the end, both teams were unable to find a winner and the match ended 1-1. A good point at home for Wigan against a team challenging for the title this season. The Latics however still find themselves in only 13th place having suffered five defeats already this season. They make the tough trip to Turf Moor next week to face a Burnley side that has a 100% record at home.

Manchester City will on the other hand certainly see this as two points dropped and are a point (and 9 goals) behind Arsenal in the race for a top four finish. Both teams have a game in hand over Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham above them in the table, with the Gunners capable of going second and City fourth should they win.

City are at home to Fulham next week, and are likely to benefit significantly as the London side will play 3 times over the next 6 days, including at Home to Hull City tomorrow, followed by a midweek game against AS Roma in the UEFA Europa League.

In the earlier game, Blackburn edged past Burnley 3-2 at Ewood Park. These two local rivals were meeting in the top tier of English football for the 1st time since 1966. Robbie Blake scored Burnley's first away goal in the league this season with an exquisite long range strike to give the Claret the early lead, but goals from David Dunn, Franco di Santo and Pascal Chimbonda, all in the first half, gave Rovers a 3-1 lead. Chris Eagles netted a consolation for Burnley in the 92nd minute.

Sunday Scores:

Blackburn 3-2 Burnley
Wigan 1-1 Man City

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