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Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Wigan - as it happened

Sports Mole brings you live action from the Premier League as Tottenham Hotspur host Wigan Athletic at White Hart Lane.
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Wigan Athletic made the trip to White Hart Lane today having won just one there in four previous attempts.

They met a Tottenham Hotspur team in decent form with four wins from five games, but were able to seal all three points thanks to Ben Watson's second-half strike.

Andre Villas-Boas's men tried to get back into the game but the Latics' defence stood firm to deny the home side an equaliser.

You can read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good afternoon. Welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the Premier League, which today sees us cast an eye over Champions League hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur as they take on Roberto Martinez's Wigan Athletic.

Firstly, team news...

Friedel; Walker, Caulker, Gallas, Vertonghen; Lennon, Sandro, Huddlestone, Bale; Dempsey, Defoe

Subs: Lloris, Dawson, Naughton, Carroll, Falque, Sigurdsson, Adebayor

Al Habsi; Boyce, Caldwell, Ramis, Figueroa; Beausejour, Watson, McCarthy, Maloney; Kone, Di Santo

Subs: Pollitt, Lopez, Stam, Gomez, Jones, McManaman, Boselli

It looks as though Clint Dempsey will play just off Jermain Defoe in attack, with Sandro and Huddlestone preferred to Sigurdsson. Lennon and Defoe are the only survivors from their 9-1 thrashing Spurs handed Wigan in 2009.

Meanwhile, there are no real surprises for the Latics, who start with the lively Kone in attack alongside Di Santo.

Roberto Martinez's men have won just once in four attempts at White Hart Lane. They have struggled to beat Spurs at home as well, with just two wins in nine.

They have also had problems with Jermain Defoe. The England international has amassed 11 goals in 10 games against them.

This game is not the only live action Sports Mole is bringing your way today. You can also follow Swansea City vs. Chelsea with Jack Prescott by clicking here.

We're also into the final few minutes of Manchester United's clash with Arsenal. The Red Devils lead 2-0 thanks to goals from Robin van Persie (inevitable) and Patrice Evra (not so much). Liam Apicella provides commentary, as he also does for tonight's 5.30pm kickoff between West ham United and Manchester City.

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It's all over at Old Trafford and Manchester United have emerged 2-1 winners. Santi Cazorla scored a consolation goal for the Gunners but it turned out to be the last kick of the game. You can read Matt Law's report by clicking here.

Here's today's team news in full, courtesy of Pascal Lemesre.

We're not far from kickoff now. Prediction time... I'm going 3-1 Spurs. Both teams can attack, but Wigan's defence is far more suspect. Mind you, Spurs have struggled at home against similar opposition this season.

Both teams form a huddle before kickoff. Thanks Celtic! Spurs to get the game underway...

Spurs go forward from the off...

Dempsey gets behind the Wigan defence but his shot is blocked by Caldwell, who covered the ground well. Corner.

It was Watson who gave the ball away in midfield, allowing Dempsey to charge at goal.

SHOT! Dempsey tries his luck but it never looked on target. Quiet first 10 minutes, the game is a bit lifeless at the moment and someone needs to inject a bit of urgency into proceedings.

Wigan are going about their business well. They are closing down all over the pitch and not allowing Spurs' creative players any time on the ball. The crowd has been quietened.

Lennon jinks past Figueroa but his cross is cleared by Watson.

McCarthy tries to loft a ball through to Maloney but this time it's Spurs' defence that's forced into action. Gallas clears the danger.

Wigan have set up with two banks of four, but are able to quickly spring from midfield as Kone and Di Santo provide immediate options in attack.

SHOT! Spurs' corner is half cleared by Watson, and the ball drops to Vertonghen on the edge of the box. The Belgian centre-back hits it on the swivel and gets a clean connection, but straight at Al Habsi.

Gylfi Sigurdsson comes on to replace the injured Sandro

CHANCE! Wigan unlock the Spurs defence and Kone finds himself on the edge of the area with the ball at his feet, but his shot is fired straight at Freidel. Best chance so far!

It was a neat one-two between Kone and Watson that created the opportunity. The Latics should probably be one up...

CHANCE! Maloney should have put Wigan in the lead! The Latics cut Spurs open once again but Freidel rushed out to deny the Scot!

Kone's trickery created that chance for Maloney. He dropped his shoulder a couple of times and outfoxed Caulker before slipping Maloney in. Wigan should definitely be in front now!

WIDE! Caulker gets his head to Bale's punt into the box but it takes a nick off a Wigan man and goes out for a corner.

Spurs have had a few corners already today but have not used them to great effect.

Wigan are holding possession comfortably in Spurs' half. They're looking assured on the ball, but may find themselves punished for those two missed opportunities.

SHOT! A long ball releases Kone down the right and his brings the ball inside. He tees up Maloney, who dummies it for Watson to fire over the bar. He just seemed to lean back on that one and skied it. Yet another warning sign for Spurs...

Spurs 0-0 Wigan

The Latics should be leading at White Hart Lane, but it remains all square at the break.

Spurs haven't had any real chances, while Wigan have had two. Kone should have done better with his, but Maloney's opportunity was the big one for the visitors. Freidel came to Spurs' rescue on both occasions.

Half-time scores from the Premier League:


Fulham 1-0 Everton

Norwich 1-0 Stoke

Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa

Swansea 0-0 Chelsea

You can read the Half-Time Report from this game by clicking here.

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Wigan get the second period underway

Vertonghen makes a marauding run down the left but to no avail. Spurs retain possession in Wigan's half.

SHOT! Dempsey shoots at goal from just over 20 yards, but Al Habsi gets down to save it.

Kone takes a little tumble over the advertising board. Always lightly amusing.

Wigan have enjoyed all the possession in the last five minutes. They've won a corner kick and Ramis and Caldwell stride forward.

GOAL! WATSON SCRAMBLES IT HOME!

Maloney's corner bent right under Freidel's crossbar and the American could only palm it straight to Watson, who bundled over the line. Deserved opener for the visitors!

Emmanuel Adebayor is coming on to replace Jermain Defoe

The fans aren't happy with that change and have made their voices heard. I think they want both strikers on the pitch as they chase this game.

Defoe went straight down the tunnel without acknowledging AVB.

Spurs have a corner...

The referee blows his whistle. Caulker is the guilty party.

Vertonghen tries to plough forward but can't find Bale with a through ball. Wigan still looking comfortable.

Bale runs the width of the Wigan penalty area without ever really being challenged and tees up Walker to cross, but he can't find a Spurs shirt in the area.

Vertonghen rides a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before going down for a free kick.

Walker and Huddlestone stand over it. It's the right-back that takes it, but fires against the wall. Corner.

Dangerous in-swinger from Bale but Wigan scrambles it clear. Figueroa gives the ball away and Wigan are back under pressure once again.

Vertonghen delivers a wicked cross from the left that somehow manages to evade every Spurs head.

CLOSE! McCarthy nods it off the line from Caulker's header!

Franco Di Santo is being withdrawn and Jordi Gomez is his replacement

Bale delivers a free kick into the box but Wigan defend in numbers and hack the ball clear.

Kone is now playing a more central role. Roberto Martinez has brought on the extra midfielder as he looks to protect the lead and see out victory. They've 10 men behind the ball now.

Spurs putting pressure on now. It's another corner for them...

Wigan defend resolutely as Spurs have three bites of the cherry at delivering a goal-scoring chance.

Jean Beausejour is down and receiving some treatment. Wigan can have a little breather now. It's been all Spurs in the last five minutes.

The Spurs fans are growing increasingly frustrated. They're whistling and slow-clapping Beausejour as he gets up and trots off the field.

Tom Carroll comes on for Kyle Walker, who looks like he's picked up a knock

CHANCE! Wigan break forward and Gomez has a chance from yards out but Freidel puts it wide for a corner. The Latics aren't committing too many men forward for this one.

Gallas is all that stands between Kone and goal and the Frenchman stands firm to deny the attacker. Good defending.

CLAIMS FOR HANDBALL! The referee waves away Tottenham's protests.

It's all Spurs now as they search for an equaliser.

Wigan have a free kick from around 30 yards out...

Figueroa thrashes at goal and it whistles just over the bar.

Bale delivers another corner but once again Wigan stand tall. They've defended like warriors when needed today. They have denied Spurs any real sight at goal.

The crowd urge Spurs forward. Bale has a chance to cross from the left but it's weak and easily dealt with.

Bale gets in once more but the angle was too tight and he shoots straight at Al Habsi.

We're going to have five minutes of time added on.

CHANCE! Gomez gets in behind the Spurs defence but his centre for Kone is poor. that was a chance to kill the game!

Spurs can't find an inch of space. Wigan holding firm. Referee gives a free kick to Wigan and that has relieved some pressure.

Spurs 0-1 Wigan

A deserved victory for Roberto Martinez's Wigan. They had to withstand a degree of pressure in the second half but never really looked like conceding. Spurs fans boo, clearly disenchanted with today's performance.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


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