A strike from Jean Beausejour has given Wigan Athletic a slender 1-0 advantage at the break of their encounter against Newcastle United this afternoon.
The visiting Magpies started the brighter of the two sides and created their first meaningful chance in the ninth minute. Centre-back Steven Taylor reacted quickly to an inswinging corner, only to see his headed effort parried to safety by Joel in the Wigan net.
It took Wigan a little while to make an impression on the fixture, but when they did, they broke the deadlock. The Newcastle rearguard failed to deal with a deep cross from the right by Callum McManaman and Beausejour profited to score his first goal for the hosts from close range with 19 minutes gone.
© PA Photos
Winger McManaman was then involved in a controversial incident when his challenge forced Newcastle defender Massadio Haidara to be stretchered off. The Wigan player escaped punishment, but replays showed that he caught his Newcastle counterpart high up on his leg.
Following the withdrawal of Haidara, Wigan began to dominate the encounter and almost doubled their advantage in the 34th minute when Shaun Maloney cut in front the left, only to see his right footed shot pushed away by Rob Elliot.
Papiss Cisse had an opportunity in stoppage time to draw the Magpies level, but he fired over the bar from six yards out.
Liam Apicella
