 McCulloch celebrates a priceless victory |
Lee McCulloch halted Wigan's run of eight successive defeats with a potentially priceless winner against Portsmouth at the JJB Stadium. McCulloch took full advantage to drill home from 12 yards as the ball broke to him in the penalty area.
Wigan were always the brighter and hungrier team but saw Julius Aghahowa and Caleb Folan waste early chances.
Pompey failed to extend Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland as their run without a win stretched to six games.
Both teams' recent form suggested they needed a tonic.
Wigan made the livelier start, and Folan met Ryan Taylor's corner with a powerful header to draw an opening-minute save from David James, looking to equal David Seaman's record of 141 Premiership clean sheets.
606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Wigan's victory
Deadline-day capture Aghahowa showed his paces and Wigan were prepared to commit men from midfield early on.
Disturbingly for Wigan boss Paul Jewell, his side failed to cash in while on top and shots from Kanu and Roudolphe Douala showed Pompey's growing confidence.
Emerson Boyce then stretched to toe-poke the ball away from Benjani who was about to pull the trigger on Glen Johnson's measured through-ball.
 Wigan's Julius Aghahowa worked tirelessly all afternoon |
At the other end Sol Campbell timed his tackle perfectly as Folan bore down on goal, and David Unsworth saw his lob beat James but drift wide of the target.
Douala had pace to burn and should have done better when he got behind the Wigan defence but with team-mates pleading for a cross, his shot from a narrow angle was easily handled by Kirkland.
Wigan forced the pace at the start of the second half, and Folan laid the ball back for Danny Landzaat who drew a full-length save from James.
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp played a brave hand by replacing defender Lauren with striker Lomana LuaLua, and it immediately added a spark to the visitors' attack.
But Wigan plugged away as the fog closed in and got the goal their effort deserved.
Aghahowa caused confusion between Noe Pamarot and Campbell as a high ball drifted into the box and the ball broke kindly for McCulloch to drill home a shot from 12 yards.
As Wigan sought the insurance policy of a second, Aghahowa, Folan and McCulloch had shots blocked in a frantic goalmouth scramble.
Pompey never matched Wigan for appetite, epitomised by Aghahowa and Folan who worked tirelessly to chase down lost causes and close down defenders.
Wigan boss Paul Jewell:
"That was a fantastic result for us, and as well as three points, it was a good performance. "In the first half we played good football, in the second half we showed we could battle to hold on to what we had.
"In the end, this was all about getting the three points."
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp:
"We got exactly what we deserved - nothing. "The first basis of football is hard work and if you're not prepared to scrap and fight for every ball, you'll get nothing.
"We have got ourselves into a good position but we're not going to think the season is over because we're safe."
Wigan: Kirkland, Taylor, Jackson, Boyce, Unsworth, Valencia (Hall 61), Landzaat, Skoko, McCulloch, Folan, Aghahowa (Johansson 85).
Subs Not Used: Filan, Kilbane, Haestad.
Booked: Taylor.
Goals: McCulloch 68.
Portsmouth: James, Johnson, Campbell, Primus, Pamarot (Taylor 74), Lauren (LuaLua 52), Pedro Mendes, Hughes, Douala, Kanu (Cole 71), Mwaruwari.
Subs Not Used: Ashdown, Davis.
Att: 15,093
Referee: G Poll (Hertfordshire).
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