Aruna Dindane helped Portsmouth earn their first league win at home this term as they beat Wigan 4-0.
On-loan Ivorian bags hat-trick to down Wigan at Fratton Park
A hat-trick from Aruna Dindane helped Portsmouth earn their first Premier League win at Fratton Park this season as they convincingly defeated Wigan Athletic 4-0 on Saturday.
Paul Hart's bottom-of-the-table side were by far the brighter of the two teams and first league goals for Dindane and Frederic Piquionne before half-time set them on their way for a much-needed victory.
Ivory Coast international Dindane broke the deadlock on 35 minutes after the on-loan striker latched onto a Michael Brown through ball before clipping over goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
And in first-half injury-time summer signing Piquionne, who later left the field on a stretcher, doubled his team's lead with a low strike under Kirkland to send the home fans jubilant.
Dindane scored his second in the 65th minute before slotting home from the penalty spot late on to reiterate Wigan's inconsistency this campaign and meanwhile boost Pompey's survival hopes.
Woodwork
The home side almost made the perfect start when Kevin-Prince Boateng fired just over the crossbar inside the opening minute.
Pompey, 4-0 victors over Stoke in the Carling Cup in midweek, enjoyed a bright opening and a corner from Jamie O'Hara was almost turned home by Hassan Yebda.
O'Hara looked particularly lively and the midfielder sent an angled drive across the face of the goal in the sixth minute.
There was much concern for Wigan when Hugo Rodallega careered over the advertising boards after trying to cross the ball into the six-yard box.
The Wigan midfielder required lengthy treatment to an arm injury before being allowed to continue.
But it was still the home side making most of the running, with O'Hara firing a 20-yard shot straight into the arms of Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.
Portsmouth continued to dominate the opening half and when O'Hara swung over a right-wing corner in the 23rd minute, the home side could not force the ball home.
O'Hara was looking very impressive in the Pompey midfield but he was not pleased with a 24th minute effort which found the roof of the stand from 20 yards.
Another O'Hara corner forced Kirkland into a one-handed save that almost found its way into his own net, but fortunately for the visiting keeper it ran out for another flag-kick.
Boateng was just too high again when he let fly from 25 yards in the 28th minute but Pompey's pressure was beginning to tell.
Kirkland required two attempts to hold on to a shot from Piquionne moments later as the home side pressed forward.
Rodallega wasted a good chance for Wigan on the half-hour when the visitors won a free-kick 25 yards out in a central position.
But the Wigan midfielder sent his curling shot high over the crossbar.
Pompey finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with a simple goal.
Michael Brown split the Wigan defence with a fine through ball into the path of Dindane, who outpaced Mario Melchiot and flicked the ball over the advancing Kirkland.
Pompey lost full-back Steve Finnan through injury in the 40th minute and he was replaced by Nadir Belhadj.
Moments later Wigan found a way through the Pompey defence but Jason Scotland's shot eventually finished closer to the corner flag than the home goal.
Pompey made the visitors pay the price in first-half injury time when Dindane, on loan from Lens, put Piquionne through and the striker ran clear to beat Kirkland with a low drive.
Hero
Piquionne was a constant threat but he squandered a great chance to get his second of the game moments after the re-start.
The striker, on loan from Lyon, hesitated far too long to get his shot away and Wigan's defence cleared the danger.
In the 55th minute Pompey almost added a third but Dindane's shot was deflected for a corner.
Pompey then lost Piquionne through injury moments later and he was replaced by Kanu.
Piquionne appeared to suffer a head injury in a challenge with Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble.
The Pompey striker appeared to get up initially but then went down again and was eventually stretchered off with his head and neck supported in a brace.
Dindane then missed a sitter in the 61st minute when he failed to connect with O'Hara's free-kick on the edge of the six-yard box.
Luckily for Wigan, Kirkland had his wits about him and managed to save well before Dindane could react again.
But Dindane atoned for his error in the 64th minute when he tapped home a cross from Kanu at the far post to put Pompey 3-0 in front.
Yebda then went close from another pinpoint O'Hara free-kick as the home side went looking for more goals.
Wigan tried to get back into the game but Charles N'Zogbia fired high and wide after bursting through the home defence.
But Pompey stretched their unbeaten run to three games when Kanu was brought down by Boyce and Dindane completed his hat-trick from the spot in the 90th minute.
| Portsmouth |
Team Statistics |
Wigan Athletic |
| 4 |
Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 8 |
Shots on Target |
1 |
| 11 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 6 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
| 7 |
Corners |
4 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
10 |
| 4 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 77.2 |
Passing Success |
75.9 |
| 30 |
Tackles |
22 |
| 70 |
Tackles Success |
72.7 |
| 49 |
Possession |
51 |
| 58.6 |
Territorial Advantage |
41.4 |
|
