A first-half double from Demba Ba has put Newcastle United on track to end their four-game losing streak against 10-man Wigan Athletic tonight.

The Senegalese frontman scored twice in an eight-minute spell to put the Magpies in complete control at St James' Park.

His 13th-minute opener came from the penalty spot after Maynor Figueroa fouled Papiss Cisse and was shown a subsequent red card.

Following the dismissal, Roberto Martinez was forced to sacrifice attacker Jordi Gomez, who netted a hat-trick in Wigan's recent triumph over Reading.

Despite stabilising his defence, Martinez watched his side concede again when Ba pounced on the rebound of David Santon's shot, which had been parried by Ali Al Habsi.

The visitors could even have been down to nine men by the break but referee Mike Jones opted not to show returning Latics defender Gary Caldwell a second yellow for his cynical hack on Ba.