Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wigan remain peerless in the Second Division, turning the promotion race into a procession. Victory over their closest rivals in an ill-tempered tussle last night gives the free-spending Lancashire club a 14-point advantage over third-placed Cardiff, and means they have still lost only once since 31 August.
Crewe, who are now 12 points behind the leaders, were already second-best before the early dismissal of their Nigerian World Cup defender, Efe Sodje, for two bookable offences. Nathan Ellington soon scored for Wigan, the main surprise thereafter being the failure of Paul Jewell's strikers to kill off spirited opponents with a second goal.
Crewe's manager, Dario Gradi, said: "It wasn't a proper football match. It was almost a war, though we didn't intend it to be. The challenge for Sodje's first caution was really reckless; a vital mistake which cost us the game. I then made a mistake by not taking him off. I can't believe I did that at my age."
Jewell, preferring to focus on the football rather than the transparent hostility between the teams, said: "There's still a long way to go, but let's not kid ourselves: this was a really big win for us."
When the sides met at the JJB Stadium in November, Crewe had Richard Walker controversially sent off after only nine minutes and went on to lose 2-0. This time they lost Sodje to a second yellow card with just 18 minutes played.
Sodje was unfortunate in one sense. The clash of heads with Neil Roberts which led to his second booking was arguably accidental. Yet he was lucky still to be on the pitch, having planted his studs in Lee McCulloch's chest after just 12 seconds.
The foul ended McCulloch's part in the evening, as well as sparking a fracas that involved a dozen players and held up play for three minutes. Ironically, the incident came shortly after Crewe were presented with the First Division's fair play award for last season.
Wigan's superiority was rewarded after 38 minutes as Jason De Vos and Roberts combined to set up Ellington's 19th goal of the season at the far post. Either side of the breakthrough, Tony Dinning and Andy Liddell headed against the Crewe woodwork.
Once ahead, Wigan's dominance grew, Clayton Ince saving well from a 55th-minute free-kick by Jimmy Bullard.
Crewe Alexandra (4-3-3): Ince; Sodje, Walker, Walton, Vaughan; Sorvel, Bell (McCready, 18; Ashton, 82), Lunt; Jack, Hulse, Jones (Tierney, 58). Substitutes not used: Morris, Bankole (gk).
Wigan Athletic (4-4-2): Filan; Eaden, Jackson, De Vos, McMillan; Teale (Jarrett, 83), Bullard, Dinning, McCulloch (Roberts, 4); Liddell (Mitchell, 76), Ellington. Substitutes not used: Breckin, Yeomans (gk).
Referee: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments