St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 48,321)
Newcastle 1 Wigan 0
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 1 (Cabaye 81)
Wigan Athletic 0
Yohan Cabaye's glorious first goal for Newcastle gave the Magpies a narrow win over Wigan as United made it 11 games undefeated this season.
The Frenchman curled home from a yard inside the box - just as the struggling Latics looked to have done enough to frustrate Alan Pardew's side.
Despite having the leakiest defence in the top flight, Wigan proved a tough nut to crack until Cabaye struck at the Gallowgate End with nine minutes to go.
Leon Best and substitute Hatem Ben Arfa had earlier been denied by fine saves from Ali Al Habsi but it was the visitors who came out of the traps quicker in front of the biggest St. James' Park crowd of the season - 48,321.
In a cagey opening 15 minutes, the only real opportunity fell to the visitors when, in the fifth minute, the ball was allowed to bounce inside the United penalty area and Victor Moses struck a half-volley goalwards from eight yards out.
However, Tim Krul dived and threw out his left hand to push the ball over the bar with a superb save.
And on 16 minutes the Latics again threatened as Hugo Rodallega raced into the box but shot into the side-netting.
Left-back Maynor Figueroa's ball was then kept alive by Rodallega and cut back for Ben Watson, whose driven effort was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini before it was able to test Krul.
Cabaye was then booked for a foul on Colombian Rodallega, who was causing problems for United as a lone striker, with Wigan's David Jones joining him in Neil Swarbrick's notebook two minutes later for a trip on Cheik Tiote.
A rare Magpies chance fell to Jonas Gutierrez on 28 minutes as Best did well out on the right and sent over a deep cross to the far post, but the Argentine's shot was charged down by Emmerson Boyce.
Then the same combination so nearly gave the home side the lead on 33 minutes. Gutierrez dug out a wonderful cross from the left and Best did everything right with his header, aiming downwards and across goal only Al Habsi to somehow claw the ball away.
Coloccini headed wide from a Cabaye corner as Pardew's side upped the tempo towards the end of the half, but on 38 minutes Mohamed Diame's long-ranger called Krul into action again.
A Ryan Taylor free-kick on 41 minutes swerved just wide but on the stroke of half-time, the home fans were relieved to see Best escape with just a yellow after a late challenge on Figueroa.
The Irish international was replaced by Ben Arfa at the start of the second half and Ba had a great opportunity on 50 minutes, when he connected with Ryan Taylor's cross but glanced the ball too close to Al Habsi.
Just after the hour mark, Cabaye and Ben Arfa both saw efforts blocked, then a clever ball from Ben Arfa just missed Ba who was sliding in at the near post.
But at the other end, Figueroa turned defence into attack with a wonderful raking pass to Rodallega, who took the ball on his chest and found the side-netting from an ever-decreasing angle.
Gutierrez saw a shot hit the hand of former Magpies defender Gary Caldwell not once but twice, as the ball bounced off one hand and onto the other on the edge of the box, but no free-kick was given.
On came Shola Ameobi, the hero six days earlier, in place of Ba, then Sylvain Marveuax replaced Gabriel Obertan and on 79 minutes Ben Arfa came alive, racing onto Gutierrez's pass and into the area before unleashing a powerful low strike which Al Habsi did well to beat away.
But in the 81st minute another Frenchman finally broke the deadlock. Ryan Taylor's cross was controlled by Marveaux and teed up for Cabaye to curl an unstoppable shot into the top corner from 17 yards out.
With two minutes left, Diame sent a free header wide but United's defence kept another clean sheet as three more points were added to the Magpies' seasonal tally.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan (Sylvain Marveaux 76), Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best (Hatem Ben Arfa 46), Demba Ba (Shola Ameobi 68)
Subs not used: Steve Harper, Davide Santon, James Perch, Alan Smith
Wigan Athletic (4-1-4-1): Ali Al Habsi; Emmerson Boyce, Antolin Alcaraz, Gary Caldwell (c), Maynor Figueroa; Ben Watson (James McArthur 82); Albert Crusat (Conor Sammon 81), Mohamed Diame, David Jones, Victor Moses; Hugo Rodallega
Subs not used: Mike Pollitt, Adrian Lopez, Hendry Thomas, Shaun Maloney, Jordi Gomez
Referee: Neil Swarbrick
Attendance: 48,321
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle).
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.
Defending throw-in by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by James McArthur(Wigan) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Victor Moses(Wigan) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Victor Moses(Wigan) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Foul by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan), header by Mohamed Diame(Wigan) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Cross by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on David Jones(Wigan). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Victor Moses(Wigan), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Wigan substitution: Ben Watson replaced by James McArthur (tactical).Wigan substitution: Albert Crusat replaced by Conor Sammon (tactical).
Goal by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled right-footed (top-left of goal) from right channel (18 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Wigan. Assist (pass) by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area.
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Albert Crusat(Wigan), resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Foul by Victor Moses(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Newcastle substitution: Gabriel Obertan replaced by Sylvain Marveaux (tactical). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) to centre, clearance by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle).
Cross by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Albert Crusat(Wigan). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ben Watson(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Gary Caldwell(Wigan) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Cross by Albert Crusat(Wigan), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Albert Crusat(Wigan) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Victor Moses(Wigan).
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Gary Caldwell(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan), resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Danny Simpson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Cross by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) left-footed from right wing (20 yards), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) curled left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Gary Caldwell(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Gary Caldwell(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by David Jones(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), over the bar.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by David Jones(Wigan).
Foul by Ben Watson(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Cross by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Cross by Albert Crusat(Wigan), clearance by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Albert Crusat(Wigan) on Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Ben Watson(Wigan) on Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa (tactical).
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Victor Moses(Wigan) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Maynor Figueroa(Wigan). Leon Best(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ben Watson(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ben Watson(Wigan) to near post, foul by Victor Moses(Wigan) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on Victor Moses(Wigan). Free kick crossed left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from right wing, clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Ben Watson(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) curled from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Mohamed Diame(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on David Jones(Wigan). Direct free kick taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), clearance by Gary Caldwell(Wigan).
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Steven Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, header by Steven Taylor(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), header by Leon Best(Newcastle) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (parried) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by David Jones(Wigan) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Leon Best(Newcastle), shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Foul by David Jones(Wigan) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). David Jones(Wigan) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick drilled right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel (35 yards), blocked by Ben Watson(Wigan).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Foul by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Hugo Rodallega(Wigan). Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick crossed left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Ben Watson(Wigan) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Victor Moses(Wigan), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Cross by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Gary Caldwell(Wigan) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Albert Crusat(Wigan), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Victor Moses(Wigan), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in open play. Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), clearance by Antolin Alcaraz(Wigan).
Cross by Victor Moses(Wigan), clearance by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle).
Cross by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) on David Jones(Wigan). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ben Watson(Wigan) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by David Jones(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) to near post, comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Victor Moses(Wigan) volleyed left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), fantastic save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Steven Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Ben Watson(Wigan) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Hugo Rodallega(Wigan) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).