Mach Report:West Ham 2-0 Wigan

A goal in each half saw West Ham secure their Premier League status with victory over Wigan, who are three points from safety.
Despite forcing several fine saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen, the Latcis were beaten at Upton Park courtesy of goals from Matt Jarvis and Kevin Nolan. Shaun Maloney squandered a good chance to put Wigan ahead on nine minutes when he fired straight at the keeper, after being played through by Callum McManaman. Twelve minutes later West Ham took the lead. Matt Jarvis' teasing cross beat everyone in the middle and crept inside the far post. West Ham dominated until the interval but Wigan came out revitalised. Jordi Gomez stung the palms of Jaaskelainen from a tight angle and Aruna Kone struck a dipping effort narrowly over within two minutes of the restart. Emerson Boyce and Paul Scharner saw headed efforts saved before James McArthur was denied at point blank range on 72 minutes, Jaaskelainen somehow managing to turn it wide. Andy Carroll was the provider for the second, hooking a pass over his shoulder for the run of Nolan, who acrobatically volleyed home for his 100th league goal.

Moses set for Chelsea

Chelsea are reported to be closing in on Victor Moses after finally agreeing a fee of £8million with Wigan.
The Blues have been chasing the forward all summer and have failed with a number of bids as Latics chairman Dave Whelan was said to be holding out for £10million.However it look as though an £8million fee has now been agreed and the deal will also include add ons that will push it up towards Whelan's valuation of the 21-year-old.Latics have been determined to keep hold of the player but boss Roberto Martinez has been scouring the market for a replacement and is believed to have lined up Arsenal forward Ryo Miyaichi, who was on loan at Bolton last season.A season-long loan deal is on the cards for the Japan star and that should clear the way for Moses to complete his move to Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.

Ramis Rejects West Ham and Joins Wigan

Wigan have signed defender Ivan Ramis on a three year contract from Real Mallorca for an undisclosed fee.The centre back was close to signing for newly promoted West ham United a couple of days ago with the London club having a bid accepted.However,the player was keen to work with a Spanish manager and thus,opted to reject the Hammers in favour of Roberto Martinez's side

Agent claims Moses to quit Wigan

Nigeria winger Victor Moses is ready to quit Wigan Athletic this summer, his agent has disclosed.

Tottenham, Liverpool, Sunderland, Newcastle and QPR are ready to grab the Nigeria youngster as Wigan has reported to have slammed a £10million price tag on the player.

Wigan has been in talks with the 21-year-old about a contract extension, but sources close to the player claim it falls well short of the Nigeria international’s expectations.

After helping Wigan escape relegation, Moses is looking to the future and his agent Tony Finnigan has confirmed that he is ready to leave the DW Stadium.

“I think Moses performance and what Wigan has done is tremendous and shows it was the right place for him to go after Palace. But now I think Victor is ready for the next step,” Finnigan is quoted as saying.

“He still has lots of improving to do in terms of scoring goals more regularly. But I think that would come if he was surrounded by better players.

“That’s what he wants and is why he won’t be extending his contract. I can’t see Victor changing his mind.”

Match Report Wolves 3 Wigan 1

Second-half goals from David Edwards and Stephen Ward secured a massive victory for Wolves in a bottom of the table clash with Wigan. Wolves ended their eight game run without a win at Molineux but piled on the misery for Wigan who have now lost eight matches in a row and sit bottom of the table. The sides met in the afternoon kick-off with a combined total of one point out of a possible 42 between them. Both had conceded 16 goals in their last seven games and so it was no surprise that the goal-mouth was busy from the offset. Kevin Doyle saw an early shot well saved by an in-form Ali Al-Habsi. It was not an afternoon to remember for Hugo Rodallega. The Wigan front-man suffered a confidence crisis in front of goal and missed two glorious chances to put his side ahead before Jamie O'Hara fired Mick McCarthy's side into the lead. Less than a minute after Rodallega poked wide from six-yards, Doyle's cut-back was met by O'Hara who scored his third goal of the season. The goal revived the Molineux crowd and Wolves began to play confidently before referee Lee Probert awarded Wigan a penalty before the break. Emmerson Boyce was brought down inside the box by Stephen Hunt and Ben Watson scored from his rebounded penalty after Wayne Hennessey saved his initial shot. The visitors looked the most likely to create something after the restart and Franco Di Santo saw an 18-yard strike whistle past the near post but again they were made to rue their misses. Wolves retook the lead after 55 minutes when Edwards scored from close range but only after Al-Habsi spectacularly denied Hunt and O'Hara with a superb double save. Roberto Martinez's side could count themselves unlucky to be behind but in vital games like this you have to take your chances. This is what Wolves did and Ward put daylight between the two sides from inside the box on the 66th minute. Wolves thought they had extended their lead moments later when Christophe Berra latched onto O'Hara's free-kick but his thumping header was saved by Al-Habsi in his contender for save of the season. Di Santo should have done better with 15 minutes remaining when he struck a weak shot straight at the keeper from 18-yards. Hennessey was made to work before the whistle though and he did well to deny Conor Sammon and Steve Gohouri from close range. Mohamed Diame sliced an injury time chance wide from eight-yards to round up Wigan's afternoon. No side has ever managed to stay in the Premier League after losing eight successive league games and the Latics can count themselves in real trouble at the moment. The rare Wolves win meanwhile puts them up to 13th in the table and they will be hoping this win can revive their campaign.

Match Report Wigan 0 Fulham 2

Wigan suffered their eighth successive defeat to slump to the bottom of the Premier League table as goals from Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele earned Fulham a precious three points at the DW Stadium. The Latics had more than enough chances to win the game but just could not find the net, with Gary Caldwell heading over in the first half and Victor Moses and Maynor Figueroa both hitting the woodwork in the second. Fulham were much more clinical, Dempsey finishing off a break in the 41st minute to put them ahead before Dembele clinched a first away victory of the season four minutes from time. It was the visitors who started the brighter, with Andrew Johnson and Dembele looking dangerous, while the visitors were forced into an early change, bringing on James McArthur after Mohamed Diame came off worst in a challenge with Steve Sidwell. Having repelled the Fulham attacks, Wigan slowly began to exert some pressure of their own, with David Jones seeing a shot saved by Mark Schwarzer before guiding another effort past the post. Approaching the half-hour mark, the home side really should have gone ahead. First, full-back Figueroa rampaged through the Fulham defence before setting up Albert Crusat for a cross that was only cleared as far as Ben Watson, whose volley was expertly tipped over the bar by Schwarzer. From the resulting corner, captain Caldwell was left unmarked eight yards out but could only head over. After an uninspiring beginning, the game had opened up, and Johnson might have done better than shoot weakly at Ali Al Habsi when he found himself in space on the right of the area. There was a heart-in-mouth moment for Schwarzer when he fumbled Moses’ low cross-shot but, with Rodallega waiting, the ball bounced just past the post. Wigan had paid for a failure to turn their dominance into goals at Newcastle last week, and so it proved again in the 41st minute when Dempsey put Fulham ahead. Danny Murphy launched a quick break by finding Bobby Zamora out on the left and his low cross was perfect for Dempsey, whose shot bounced into the net despite the best efforts of Al Habsi. Still Wigan could have been level at half-time as Moses got a foot to Watson’s shot but, with Schwarzer struggling, the ball flew just the wrong side of the post. Wigan began the second half fuelled by a sense that they deserved better. But still the clear-cut chance would not come and at the other end Figueroa had to be alert to deny Johnson after Zamora broke away down the left. The Latics’ luck was certainly out in the 54th minute when Moses let fly from 25 yards with a stunning volley that had Schwarzer well beaten but bounced off the angle of post and bar. Rodallega was first to the rebound but was flagged offside. Fulham were struggling to get out of their own half but they remained a threat on the break and in the 62nd minute Zamora got on the end of a long ball and smashed a volley off the top of the bar. More and more there was a sense that, again, this was just not going to be Wigan’s day. Fulham appeared to have ridden out the storm and threatened themselves when Zdenek Grygera played in Johnson down the right, but the angle was tight and he shot wide. At the other end, Rodallega was given a chance from 25 yards out after Dickson Etuhu fouled substitute Di Santo but his effort was straight at Schwarzer. The goalkeeper needed the help of his woodwork again in the 84th minute when Figueroa drove forward and struck a swerving shot that Schwarzer thought was going well wide but in fact bounced off the post. And Wigan’s fate was sealed two minutes later as the defence backed off and allowed Dembele the freedom to run to the edge of the area and place his shot wide of Al Habsi.

Match Report: Wigan 2 QPR 0

A Franco Di Santo brace maintained Wigan's unbeaten start at the start of the Premier League campaign with a win over QPR. Wigan made a bright start to the game but it was QPR who came closest with Shaun Derry forcing an early stop out of Ali Al-Habsi with a 30-yard drive. Hugo Rodallega and Victor Moses shared the chances for the hosts but both failed to trouble Paddy Kenny from close range. QPR boss Neil Warnock will be cursing his luck this afternoon as Adel Taarabt came inches away from opening the scoring on two occasions. Twice the QPR star man saw efforts come back off the post before Di Santo netted a sublime 20-yard volley on 41 minutes. Taarabt almost equalised immediately when his long range free-kick deflected off the wall but an in-form Al-Habsi was on hand again to deny the visitors. Di Santo's goal clearly boosted his confidence and on 66 minutes the little Italian took the ball off the toes of Rodallega on the edge of the QPR box and struck a right-footed shot which nestled in the top corner after taking a wicked deflection. QPR had a late penalty appeal turned down when Derry seemed to be brought down in the box by Al-Habsi before Rangers were again denied by the frame of the goal when Bruno Perone's header came back off the crossbar.

Wigan interested in Jones

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has made clear his intention to complete the permanent signing of ex-Wolves midfielder and current free agent David Jones. The 26-year-old has impressed Martinez in training over the summer period and has also shone in appearances for the Latics during pre-season friendlies. Although the former Manchester United youth player has been training with Wigan primarily to gain match fitness, he has become a genuine target for Martinez, who will look to agree personal terms with Jones over the coming week. Martinez's enthusiasm is clearly shared by the Wigan fans as, following Jones' appearance as a second-half substitute against Preston, chants of "Roberto, sign him up" could be heard coming from the away end "We will be working extremely hard to try to persuade him his future lies at Wigan," Martinez told the Wigan Evening Post. "If we can do that I'm sure he will be a big, big asset for this football club. "David is a very talented player, technically very gifted, tactically very clever, and has great experience in the Premier League. "He is 26 but has a great desire to learn, and has a sweet left foot. "We will be working very hard to make sure he becomes a part of our football club and hopefully that will be sorted out very soon. "I was already a big admirer of his from the work he did at Wolves, and when a player like him becomes available you can't let the opportunity pass you by." After losing influential playmaker Charles N'Zogbia to Aston Villa, Martinez is looking to bolster his midfield, with Jones providing a cheap and viable option.

Villa join Chase for Rodallega

Aston Villa are ready to join the chase for Wigan’s £15million-rated striker Hugo Rodallega, 25.
Manager Alex McLeish has drawn up a list of targets with Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given his priority while Rodallega’s team-mate Charles N’Zogbia, West Ham midfielder Scott Parker and Tottenham right back Alan Hutton also figure.McLeish is awaiting a renewed offer from Liverpool for winger Stewart Downing, 26, with Villa maintaining their stance that unless their £20m valuation is met he will not be sold. Arsenal are also interested in the England man.
Rodallega, who is playing for Colombia in the Copa America, revealed at the weekend that Arsenal had also asked about him, while Everton maintain an interest.
He said: ‘There are many teams interested, it’s true. Villarreal, Sevilla, Arsenal also have some interest, and Everton. There is a lot of speculation but my future at this moment is at Wigan.

Aston Villa close in on N'Zogbia

Skysports.com are reporting that Aston Villa are leading the race to sign Wigan winger Charles N'Zogbia.
Villa boss Alex McLeish is a big fan of the Frenchman and tried to sign the player when he was in charge of Birmingham.Wigan are resigned to losing N'Zogbia with Latics chairman Dave Whelan admitting they will not stand in his way if they receive a suitable offer.The Frenchman is entering the final year of his contract at the DW Stadium and the player is ready to move on to play at a higher levelMcLeish has identified N'Zogbia as one of his top summer transfer targets and he is keen to win the race for his signature.
The likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Sunderland have all been linked with a move for the winger, but Villa are thought to be favourites for the 25-year-old.

N'Zogbia could help fill the void left by Ashley Young's departure to Manchester United last month

Roberto Martinez to make a decision on his future in the next 24 hours

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan expects Roberto Martinez to make a decision on his future in the next 24 hours.Aston Villa have approached the Spaniard to take over from Gerard Houllier who resigned recently on health grounds.Martinez has emerged as the favourite of Villa owner Randy Lerner to take over at Villa Park.Whelan granted Villa permission yesterday to talk to Martinez, but expects him to stay at the DW Stadium.
"I had a good meeting with Roberto yesterday and the decision whether he is going to stay or go is entirely in his hands," Whelan told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I will support him whichever way he wants to go. "I've offered him an extension to his contract and a better contract, because his current deal is down to a year."I have asked him to make a decision and tell me and the rest of the world, and I think he will be doing that in the next 24 hours. "My gut feeling is he will stay at Wigan, but he will move in 12 or 18 months or two years, and he will go to one of the top European clubs."He added: "You have got to be realistic about it. "If someone comes in - a big club like Villa - and says 'we are going to double your wages', a lot of people would jump and say 'I am going to do that'. "Roberto is not that kind of man. He thinks long and hard. He is into football hugely and is enjoying what he is doing at Wigan. "He has learned so much and taught me so much. Together, we are a great partnership."

Martinez given permission to speak to Aston Villa

Roberto Martinez is on brink of becoming the next Aston Villa manager.
The Wigan boss spoke to Villa on his return from a break in Barbados and is now in pole position to succeed Gerard Houllier, who left last week because of health problems.
Martinez, who was given permission by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to talk to Villa, ticks all the boxes as far as owner Randy Lerner is concerned — especially when it comes to working on a tight budget.

Athletic Bilbao Want Roberto Martinez

According to the Daily Star, La Liga side Athletic Bilbao are interested in taking Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez as a replacement for departing manager, Joaquin Caparros who is off to Atletico Madrid.Bilbao are an established La Liga side with a decent squad, they have qualified for next seasons Europa League competition and Inaki Bergara, Latics goalkeeping coach, played for and coached at Bilbao, so there is a connection, but it could all be a little too soon.Martinez has very strong ties to the Latics, when he says he has the club is in his heart he is telling the truth, he has started reshaping the club building a young, talented squad that can hold their own in the Premier League, investing heavily, time and effort, in the youth system, which he has renamed the development squad and he's got the first team playing a great style of football, on the ground without the big boot up field. He is rightly proud of what he`s starting to achieve at Wigan.

It is still work in progress though and the job is long haul, hopefully this and the fact that Martinez does have genuine feelings for the Latics will encourage him to stay put for the time being. He is a manager with a very bright future and enormous potential to go all the way to the top, here's hoping that the potential is developed for a while longer at the Latics.

Charles N'Zogbia set for Liverpool move

According to reports in the and The Sun and The Independent, Kenny Dalglish is on the verge of offering Wigan Athletic around £15m for Charles N'Zogbia.N'Zogbia caught Dalglish's eye with his brilliant form as Wigan took eight points from their last four games to avoid relegation.
He scored four times, including the all-important stoppage-time winner against West Ham.
Wigan turned down a £12m bid from Birmingham in January. But the French international only has a year left on his contract and the Latics would find it difficult to resist an improved bid from Liverpool.Dalglish is known to be a huge admirer of the player and is looking to bring him in as partt of his plans to lower the average age of Liverpool's squad and freshen up his options with promising new talent.

N'Zogbia is only 24 and is unlikely to sign a new contract at Wigan and he has been watched extensively by Dalglish and Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli over the last 12 months.

Liverpool close in on McCarthy deal

Liverpool are closing in on making James McCarthy their first summer signing after the midfielder told Wigan Athletic he has his heart set on a move to Anfield.Kenny Dalglish is a huge admirer of the 20-year-old and the Reds are believed to be willing to spend as much as £10 million to land one of the brightest prospects in the Premier League.Chelsea are also understood to have registered an interest in McCarthy but the player has told Wigan executives he wants them to reach an agreement with Liverpool.Wigan had initially asked for £16m for the Republic of Ireland international but there have been indications that they are now ready to soften their stance, with manager Roberto Martinez promised he can re-invest money raised from player sales.

“It is 90 per cent done, all sides now seem to accept it is going to happen and it's a matter of everyone trying to get the best deal,”stated a source close to the talks

McCarthy turned down a move to Merseyside before joining Wigan for £1.2m from Scottish side Hamilton Academical in 2009 as he felt regular football would be better for his development. He now believes he has proven he is ready to take the next step and leave the DW Stadium.

McCarthy is under contract until 2014 but Wigan are regarded as a selling club by other English sides following the high profile transfers of Antonio Valencia and Wilson Palacios to Manchester United and Tottenham respectively.

Wigan want to keep N'Zogbia

Roberto Martinez says Wigan would only sell Charles N'Zogbia to a Champions League side.The French winger has gone from strength to strength after joining from Newcastle in 2009 and is now an integral figure for the Latics.The 24-year-old impressed this season and Martinez knows that he will eventually leave the DW Stadium.However, Martinez has stressed Wigan are under no pressure to sell and says a deal would only be struck if it was a club that took his career forward.Martinez believes that keeping N'Zogbia at Wigan is more important than any possible signing they could make during the transfer window."Charles has improved every year, scored 10 goals a season and taken on more responsibility by being captain," said Martinez."He knows I wouldn't stop his career progressing. But he also knows I wouldn't like him to go anywhere for the money as he's still 24."There are certain players who can compete in the Champions League and you can't stop those players."As well as Charles, there's a few who fall into that category."If the timing and price is right, then it can happen. But if I don't see a club who can offer him a different project than ours, then we won't sell.

"We don't have to sell and to keep the group is more important than any signing."

Hammers relegated after Wigan defeat

West Ham were relegated from the Premier League after blowing a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Wigan in an incredible game at the DW Stadium.The Hammers needed a victory to stand any chance of beating the drop and were 2-0 up at half-time courtesy of Demba Ba's headers on 12 and 26 minutes.However their defensive deficiencies were once again exposed after the break as Charles N'Zogbia scored twice, either side of a Conor Sammon goal, the second coming in stoppage time.Wigan are 19th in the table with one game to go, level on 39 points with 18th-placed Blackpool and 17th-placed Birmingham, who lost against Fulham. Latics are on minus 22, with Blackpool on minus 21 and Birmingham on minus 20.Wigan broke forward early on and after receiving Mohamed Diame's pass, Tom Cleverley fired a deflected shot towards goal which Robert Green pushed behind.Diame then turned in the box and blasted an effort over the bar before Hugo Rodallega swivelled on the edge of the area and brought another save out of Green.West Ham had shown little going forward, but a minute later they took the lead after Latics failed to deal with a corner.In the ensuing scramble, Jack Collison's shot was blocked and the ball came out to Thomas Hitzlsperger, who crossed for Ba to head past Ali Al Habsi.The hosts tried to respond immediately, with N'Zogbia producing a strike that Green gathered comfortably.A cross from Emmerson Boyce and free-kick from Ben Watson threatened the Hammers box, but James Tomkins and Danny Gabbidon got important headers in to avert the danger, while Diame saw an attempt from distance caught by Green.Wigan seemed to have regained the momentum - yet within moments, they were 2-0 down.Hitzlsperger was the creator once more, the German's delivery headed back across goal by Tomkins for Ba to nod in his second.

The home side almost fell even further behind just after the half-hour mark when Frederic Piquionne guided the ball beyond Al Habsi, only for Watson to clear off the line.

Wigan managed to compose themselves and went back on the attack, but they could not find a way past Green, who parried an overhead kick from Rodallega.

He then denied Diame after the midfielder squeezed through, before blocking a point-blank header from Rodallega.

Cleverley nearly latched on to a high ball over the top in first-half stoppage time but was beaten by the bounce.

Martinez made two substitutions at the interval, bringing on Victor Moses and Sammon for James McCarthy and Cleverley.

Six minutes after the restart, Watson curled an effort narrowly wide.

Ba then drove one across goal at the other end before Wigan pulled themselves back into the game.

Having been fouled by Tomkins, N'Zogbia stepped up to take the resulting free-kick himself and lashed it into the corner of the net, his fourth goal in five games.

West Ham boss Avram Grant reacted by introducing the inspirational figure of Scott Parker from the bench in place of Jonathan Spector.

Soon after Ba was through one-on-one against Al Habsi, but could only shoot into the Oman stopper's arms.

That proved costly for the Hammers as Sammon then ran on to Watson's pass, turned inside Gabbidon and slotted home his first Wigan goal to level the scores.

The equaliser set up a frantic finale, with both sides desperately seeking a winning goal.

Moses fired into the side-netting after being teed up by Sammon before Zavon Hines had two shots blocked in the area, first by Maynor Figueroa and then Gary Caldwell.

Gabbidon prevented Sammon from going clean through with a challenge that Latics fans felt was a foul, but referee Mike Dean waved play on.

Hitzlsperger sent a free-kick wide and N'Zogbia overhit a through-ball that could have released Sammon.

When Watson saw his low shot came back off the post and then Green smother at his feet moments later, it seemed Wigan's chance for a precious victory was gone.

But N'Zogbia had the final say in the 94th minute, cutting into the box and slipping a shot under Green, who was badly at fault, to keep Wigan in the fight for survival.

Liverpool 1 - 1 Wigan

Liverpool's resurgence under Kenny Dalglish was dealt a setback as struggling Wigan battled to a deserved draw at Anfield.
The home side led at the break thanks to Raul Meireles' volley - his fourth goal in his last five matches.
But Wigan fought back and equalised when Steve Gohouri prodded in Antolin Alcaraz's flick on at the far post.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was twice denied a goal by the woodwork on his first start for the club.
The Uruguyan's selection signalled a more adventurous Liverpool formation to the one that employed a heavily-loaded midfield and a three-man defence in a successful contain and capitalise operation at Chelsea last Sunday.
It was a system designed to dominate their struggling opponents but, despite coming into the game full of confidence off the back of four successive wins, they were unable to do so.
This may be partly due to the absence of midfield driving-force Steven Gerrard, who missed the game because of the thigh injury that caused him to sit out England's international win in Denmark on Wednesday.
The chief reason though was the performance of Wigan, who adopted a similar philosophy as that used to such good effect by their hosts in London six days ago.
Wigan's performance was a battling one - which should give them heart in their quest to avoid the drop - but it also showcased enough fluency and ability to make one wonder why even with this point they remain in the relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference.

Wigan 4 Blackburn 3

James McCarthy struck twice as Wigan clawed their way out of the relegation zone with a thrilling win over Blackburn at the DW Stadium.
Jason Roberts put the visitors ahead, only for Wigan to race into a 3-1 lead through McCarthy's double and an opportunistic goal by Hugo Rodallega.
Chris Samba made it 4-2, before Ben Watson's penalty made the game safe for the Latics.
Blackburn's David Dunn scored a late penalty but Wigan held on for the win.
Blackburn dominated the early stages of the game and could have been two goals to the good within the opening 15 minutes, with Al-Habsi forced into saves from Benjani then Pedersen, as Blackburn seemed capable of opening Wigan up at will.
Not to be outdone, Paul Robinson had to save low to his left in the 21st minute when Ben Watson's free kick evaded a crowd of bodies.
But it was Blackburn who took a deserved lead in the 23rd minute when the impressive David Hoilett picked out Emerton on the right, whose steaming run down the wing allowed him the space to cut his cross back to Jason Roberts, who got in front of his marker to tap in at the near post.
Blackburn could, and should, have doubled their lead barely a minute later but Benjani failed to make a decent connection with his header, with Pederson picking him out with a free-kick from the left.
Wigan survived a handball shout when the ball appeared to strike the arm of Steve Gohouri following Benjani's miss, with the Latics managing to escape a sustained period of Blackburn pressure without further damage.
Infact, Wigan reacted defiantly to going behind and it was no surprise that Charles N'Zogbia was central to the home side's equaliser, as the Frenchman created space for Emerson Boyce to shoot after a surging run from the right.
Boyce's powerful low drive from 15 yards was saved well by Robinson, but McCarthy was first to react to the rebound, adjusting his body well to steer home from close range.
Blackburn started the second half brightly, but were punished for some shoddy defending when Samba and the on-rushing Robinson were unable to combine to clear a long ball to safety.
Rodallega nipped in to take advantage of their hesitation, sweeping the ball into the empty net with his left foot, giving Wigan a 2-1 lead and, with 20 goals, becoming Wigan's record goalscorer in the process.
With Blackburn on the ropes, James McCarthy doubled his tally for the afternoon with a sublime piece of skill and finish. N'Zogbia rolled the ball into McCarthy who flicked the ball over Jermaine Jones with his right foot before volleying in with his left from 8 yards.
But just as Wigan were looking comfortable, they gave Blackburn hope of a comeback, allowing Samba to meet Pederson's corner and power in a header at the near post, making it 3-2.
With the game becoming increasingly stretched, Steve Kean, who had gambled by leaving top scorer Mame Diouf on the bench, introduced the on-loan striker on the hour.
But as Blackburn eyed an equaliser with Diouf now leading the line, Rovers fell further behind.
Watson restored Wigan's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot after Diame was clumsily tripped by Salgado in the box.
Blackburn remained committed to their attacking game but, in the 75th minute, Diouf missed a golden opportunity to make it 4-3 when he dragged his shot wide from 15 yards.
With the rain failing to relent and the pitch continuing to deteriorate, Blackburn narrowed Wigan's lead in the 81st minute.
David Dunn, another second half substitute, made it 4-3 with the second penalty of the afternoon, sending Al-Habsi the wrong way after an ill-advised challenge by Boyce has sent Dunn tumbling just inside the box.
Blackburn pumped balls towards Diouf as they became increasingly desperate to salvage a point, but Wigan held on for a win that may prove crucial in their quest for Premier League survival.

Wigan 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Aston Villa claimed a second successive Premier League win for the first time this season to move six points clear of fellow strugglers Wigan.
Villa went ahead four minutes after the break when Gabriel Agbonlahor nodded home at close range following an Ashley Young corner.
Young then doubled Villa's advantage from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Hendry Thomas.
James McCarthy drove home a deflected late effort, but Villa held firm.
Even so, it was a nervous final 10 minutes for Villa, with Franco Di Santo, Hugo Rodallega and substitute Ben Watson all going close in the final minutes.
Buoyed by Saturday's 1-0 victory against Manchester City, in which Darren Bent's winning goal hinted that the £24m it took to prise him from Sunderland may prove money well spent, Villa have the look of a team on the up.
Yet their inability to keep a clean sheet, combined with a failure to translate a dominant first-half phase into tangible reward, suggests the claret-and-blue revival retains a certain fragility.
Then again, Villa manager Gerard Houllier need only consider the hosts' plight to realise that life could be considerably worse.
Wigan remain entrenched in the bottom three, and the home fans were quick to vent their anger at club manager Roberto Martinez come the final whistle.