Ba (21)
Bigirimana (71)
St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 43,858)
Newcastle 3 Wigan 0
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 3 (Ba 13pen, 21; Bigirimana 71)
Wigan Athletic 0
Newcastle United bounced back to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Monday night with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over ten-man Wigan Athletic at St. James' Park.
Demba Ba struck a first-half double before substitute Gael Bigirimana put the seal on things midway through the second period with a long-range stunner.
And it was no more than the Magpies deserved for an impressive home performance which gave them their first Premier League win since the end of October.
Their task was made slightly easier, however, by the early straight red card issued to Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa for knocking down Papiss Cisse as he ran through on goal.
Ba slotted home the spot-kick and was on hand soon after to add a second when Davide Santon's shot was spilled by Latics keeper Ali Al Habsi.
But the best was saved 'til last as youngster Bigirimana stepped in off the right wing to send a brilliant strike into the top corner and open his Newastle account.
United started brightly and had created an opening inside 23 seconds, when Cheick Tiote strode past a challenge and then let fly from 25 yards with a drive which whistled narrowly past the upright.
But the visitors went up the other end almost immediately and a short free-kick was worked into the path of Franco Di Santo, with the Argentine international's curling strike having to be beaten away by a full-stretch Tim Krul.
After four successive Premier League defeats, Newcastle were looking for a good start and got just that on 12 minutes when they were awarded a penalty.
Ba slipped a lovely ball through into the path of Cisse, who was bundled to the floor by the challenge of Figueroa around 12 yards out.
Referee Mike Jones had no hesitation in awarding a penalty - issuing the Latics man a straight red card in the process - and Ba duly despatched the spot-kick into the bottom corner for his ninth goal of another prolific season.
United had a numerical advantage over their opponents and soon made that count as Ba doubled his - and the Magpies' - advantage at St. James' Park.
Santon rampaged forward from his left-back berth, cut inside and fired a long-range shot goalwards which was too hot for Al Habsi to handle and Ba clinically tucked home the loose ball.
Sylvain Marveaux almost got in on the act just past the half hour mark when a lovely passage of passing play presented him with the ball in space.
The Frenchman, making just his second league start of the season, was given the room to drive forward and only a fingertip stop from Al Habsi prevented his low shot from sneaking in the far corner.
And seconds later he curled a 25-yard free-kick agonisingly wide, this time with the Wigan keeper completely beaten.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew made a change at half-time, replacing Tiote with youngster Bigirimana, but it was Wigan who made the sharper start to the second period, with a Ronnie Stam cross causing chaos before Franco Di Santo fired well over from distance.
While everything seemed to be going to plan for United, their injury problems struck again four minutes after the restart as Santon limped off holding his groin, with young Shane Ferguson on in his place.
But that failed to hold them back and Marveaux almost made it three on 52 minutes when he jinked through a handful of challenges but couldn't beat Al Habsi with a low strike.
The home side clearly weren't content to sit on their lead and Cisse went close, firing a half-volley over the top having latched onto Vurnon Anita's lofted pass.
On 70 minutes Cisse ended a neat, flowing move with a wild left-footed shot but less than 60 seconds later Bigirimana showed him how it's done.
Marveaux was again at the heart of things, pulling the strings to find the summer signing wide on the right. And Bigirimana cut inside before curling an outstanding effort past the despairing grasp of Al Habsi and into the top corner.
Both sides finished the game with ten men as Ba hobbled down the tunnel with Newcastle having made all three of their substitutions, but Cisse nearly bagged number four when he forced Al Habsi into a decent stop with time ticking away.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon (Shane Ferguson 49); Vurnon Anita, Cheick Tiote (Gael Bigirimana 46); Papiss Cisse, Sylvain Marveaux, Jonas Gutierrez (Sammy Ameobi 76); Demba Ba
Subs not used: Steve Harper, James Tavernier, Nile Ranger, Shola Ameobi
Wigan (3-4-3): Ali Al Habsi; Emmerson Boyce, Gary Caldwell (c) (Adrian Lopez, 46), Maynor Figueroa; Ronnie Stam, James McCarthy, David Jones, Jean Beausejour; Arouna Kone, Franco Di Santo (Callum McManaman 83), Jordi Gomez (James McArthur 22)
Subs not used: Mike Pollitt, Roman Golobart, Fraser Fyvie, Mauro Boselli
Referee: Mike Jones (Cheshire)
Bookings: Newcastle United - Sammy Ameobi (77); Wigan Athletic - Beausejour (14), Caldwell (30), Di Santo (66)
Sendings off: Newcastle United - none; Wigan Athletic - Figueroa (12)
Attendance: 43,858 (279 Wigan)
Shot by Arouna Kone(Wigan) lobbed right-footed from left side of penalty area (6 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (30 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by James McArthur(Wigan) on Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by James McArthur(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adrian Lopez(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Callum McManaman(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jean Beausejour(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Franco Di Santo(Wigan) booked for dissent.Wigan substitution: Franco Di Santo replaced by Callum McManaman (tactical). Defending throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Foul by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) on James McCarthy(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Jean Beausejour(Wigan).
Foul by James McCarthy(Wigan) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) on Ronnie Stam(Wigan). Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by James McArthur(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) on Sammy Ameobi(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Jonas Gutierrez replaced by Sammy Ameobi (tactical). Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), save (punched) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Arouna Kone(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Goal by Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle) drilled left-footed (top-left of goal) from right channel (20 yards).Newcastle 3-0 Wigan. Assist (pass) by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from left channel.
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (18 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Arouna Kone(Wigan), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Shot by David Jones(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (30 yards), blocked by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Cross by Jean Beausejour(Wigan), resulting in open play.
Cross by Jean Beausejour(Wigan), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Adrian Lopez(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Foul by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by James McCarthy(Wigan), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Foul by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (18 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan). Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Ronnie Stam(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Emmerson Boyce(Wigan) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Shot by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Shane Ferguson(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Franco Di Santo(Wigan) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Newcastle substitution: Davide Santon replaced by Shane Ferguson (injury). Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Cheick Tiote replaced by Gael Bigirimana (injury).Wigan substitution: Gary Caldwell replaced by Adrian Lopez (tactical).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Arouna Kone(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by James McArthur(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Gary Caldwell(Wigan).
Foul by James McCarthy(Wigan) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour(Wigan) to centre, clearance by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle).
Shot by Franco Di Santo(Wigan) drilled right-footed from right channel (30 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by David Jones(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (30 yards), blocked by Jean Beausejour(Wigan).
Foul by Gary Caldwell(Wigan) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Free kick crossed left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Shot by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (parried) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Arouna Kone(Wigan).
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Jean Beausejour(Wigan).
Foul by Gary Caldwell(Wigan) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Gary Caldwell(Wigan) booked for unsporting behaviour. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Ronnie Stam(Wigan), resulting in ball out of play. Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Franco Di Santo(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Franco Di Santo(Wigan) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Shot by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Foul by Arouna Kone(Wigan) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Ronnie Stam(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on Arouna Kone(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by James McCarthy(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Davide Santon(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (parried) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan). Goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from right side of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Wigan. Assist by Davide Santon(Newcastle) from left channel.Wigan substitution: Jordi Gomez replaced by James McArthur (tactical).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Emmerson Boyce(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Jordi Gomez(Wigan) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Goal kick taken long by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by David Jones(Wigan) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Jordi Gomez(Wigan) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) dismissed for professional foul.Placed penalty taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) (bottom-left of goal), scored.Newcastle 1-0 Wigan.Jean Beausejour(Wigan) booked for dissent.
Foul by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) dismissed for professional foul.Placed penalty taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) (bottom-left of goal), scored.Newcastle 1-0 Wigan.Jean Beausejour(Wigan) booked for dissent. Assist by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area.
Cross by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle), save (caught) by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Foul by Jean Beausejour(Wigan) on Papiss Cisse(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right wing, clearance by Jean Beausejour(Wigan).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Jean Beausejour(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Shot by James McCarthy(Wigan) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), shot by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Blocked by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Handball by James McCarthy(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Shot by James McCarthy(Wigan) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right. Shot by Ronnie Stam(Wigan) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on James McCarthy(Wigan). Free kick crossed left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from right channel, clearance by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour(Wigan) to centre, resulting in open play.
Shot by Franco Di Santo(Wigan) curled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) to near post, clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Jordi Gomez(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by David Jones(Wigan) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Ronnie Stam(Wigan). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Maynor Figueroa(Wigan) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken short by Ali Al Habsi(Wigan).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).