Henri Camara came off the bench to ensure Wigan moved out of the relegation places with a 1-0 win over Everton.
Sub nets in second period to down Everton
Henri Camara came off the substitutes' bench to net in the second half and ensure Wigan Athletic moved out of the relegation places with a 1-0 triumph over Everton at the JJB Stadium.
Both teams were guilty of missing excellent opportunities to break the deadlock in the first period, as Toffees shot-stopper Tim Howard ensured the sides went into the interval all-square after he made a remarkable one-handed save to deny Paul Scharner.
Latics boss Steve Bruce introduced Camara after the break and the Senegal international made his mark in the 51st minute, sliding home from close range to record his first Premier League goal since December 2006.
Everton were largely toothless in their bid for a leveller and, as Tim Cahill twice went close in the latter stages, Wigan held on to end their opponents' five-match unbeaten run and climb to 15th in the table.
Trouble
The Latics are not out of trouble yet but this thoroughly deserved victory, in which midfielder Lee Cattermole was impressive, was heartening for Bruce and no-one was happier than goal-hero Camara at the final whistle.
The nomadic forward, 31, spent last season on loan at West Ham but failed to score a single goal in a nightmare campaign.
Camara returned to the JJB Stadium in the summer and, having scored three times in the Carling Cup earlier this season, he finally found the net in the top flight for the first time since scoring against Middlesbrough for Wigan in December 2006.
Everton had made the short trip to Wigan unbeaten in five games but, after a bright start, they faded badly - and the defeat means none of the league's top 10 were able to produce a win over this latest round of fixtures.
Yet during the early exchanges, David Moyes' men looked full of confidence and Yakubu and Louis Saha again dovetailed to good effect.
Indeed, the Toffees - backed by a huge travelling army of supporters - looked like they were the team playing at home in the opening quarter.
Cahill spurned an opportunity in the fifth minute when he headed Mikel Arteta's corner wastefully over the crossbar from eight yards out.
Yakubu then showed some delightful footwork and a neat turn of pace to engineer the space to drive a low shot into the heart of the Wigan defence, but Paul Scharner was alert to the danger and cleared for a corner.
In the 14th minute, Everton crafted possibly the best move of the first half when the lively Yakubu broke clear down the left flank and delivered an inch-perfect cross into Saha's feet.
The France striker strode forward and rifled a low, first-time shot goalwards from around 16 yards - but his effort drew a fine one-handed save from Chris Kirkland.
In the 34th minute Emile Heskey used his aerial strength to flick a high ball into Valencia's path on the right side of Everton's six-yard box.
The Ecuadorian clipped a teasing cross across the face of goal and Wilson Palacios stopped to head goalwards but contrived only to send the ball over the bar from little more than four yards out.
Wigan went close twice within the space of a minute on the stroke of half-time whistle when Howard palmed away Cattermole's curling shot from 14 yards, then produced an even better save to repel Scharner's close-range header.
Goal
Bruce's decision to replace the ineffectual Kapo with Camara proved inspired.
The Senegal forward was clearly up for it and was the quickest to react when Valencia's individual skill handed him a goal on a plate six minutes after the restart.
Valencia showed a neat touch to control a long punt upfield on the right-hand side of Everton's 18-yard box.
He then drove at Joleon Lescott, slipping the ball between the England defender's legs with a cheeky nutmeg before spotting Camara lurking at the far post.
Valencia slid a vicious low cross across the face of goal and there was Camara to rifle the ball home in predatory fashion.
Bruce celebrated with a punch of the air pitchside and Camara blew kisses to the jubilant Latics supporters.
Wigan could have made the game safe in the 71st minute when Valencia broke clear and hit a powerful shot from 14 yards which Howard could only parry.
Three minutes later, Cahill attempted to tuck away a loose ball from 14 yards but Scharner blocked his effort.
Cahill had a golden chance to earn a point in injury-time - but he shot over the bar and victory was Wigan's.
| Wigan Athletic |
Team Statistics |
Everton |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 6 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 6 |
Shots off Target |
5 |
| 1 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 3 |
Corners |
3 |
| 9 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
0 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 69.9 |
Passing Success |
72.1 |
| 28 |
Tackles |
38 |
| 71.4 |
Tackles Success |
71.1 |
| 44.5 |
Possession |
55.5 |
| 52.5 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.5 |
|
