SM
Blackburn vs. Preston: 21 hrs 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
WL
Championship | Gameweek 30
Feb 2, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
QL

2-1

Windass (8'), Clarke (55')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Clarke fires Wigan to victory on his return to DW Stadium

:Headline: Result: Clarke fires Wigan to victory on his return to DW Stadium: ID:349120: from db_amp
The striker joined his former club on loan from Sheffield United this week.

A goal from Leon Clarke on his return to Wigan was enough to give his side all three points thanks to a 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory over QPR at the DW Stadium.

Clarke was in the right place after 55 minutes to put Wigan 2-0 up, after Josh Windass had fired them ahead early on.

A nervy last 15 minutes was ensured when Bright Samuel pulled one back with a deflected strike from distance.

But the home side were good value for the three points that increases the gap between them and the relegation dogfight.

Wigan almost made the worst start imaginable when Reece James was robbed in centre-field, and the shot from Luke Freeman was spilled by Jamie Jones, who just about got up to smother the follow-up from Nahki Wells.

But the home side took full advantage of the let-off and went in front after eight minutes.

Clarke flicked on a long ball from goalkeeper Jones into the path of Windass, who took a touch and slid the ball past Joe Lumley with his left foot.

Jones was then in play at the other end when he had to race off his line to smother a shot from Wells, who had got the better of Cedric Kipre.

An unbelievable piece of skill from Anthony Pilkington then released Windass, who either did not see or ignored Clarke in the middle before it was too late.

Wigan deserved their slender interval lead, and the advantage was doubled within 10 minutes of the restart.

Michael Jacobs' cross from the left took a slight deflection and on-loan Sheffield United forward Clarke finished well at the far post, matching his tally during his half-season loan spell at the DW four years ago.

Pilkington almost made it three but was unable to turn in a James corner at the far post.

And a tense finale was ensured when Rangers pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, totally against the run of play.

Samuel tried his luck from distance, and the ball took a massive deflection on its way past the wrong-footed Jones.

Wigan's unease was shown with them making three substitutions in as many minutes, but QPR were determined to make the most of their lifeline.

With the clock ticking down, Toni Leistner smashed the ball against the Wigan bar from 12 yards, with Jones getting nowhere near it.

And another Rangers break, which saw Matt Smith evade Kipre, was only ended when the Wigan defender tripped him on the edge of the box at the expense of a yellow card.

Freeman's free-kick hit the wall, but there was still time for Smith to beat Jones to a Wells cross, only for the ball to float harmlessly over the bar.

amp_article__349120 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-02-02 17:50:28:
html db last update - 2019-02-02 17:50:28 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Read more about Leon Clarke Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds29179353193460
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd29186540211958
3Burnley29151223692757
4Sunderland291510442241855
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom291014538251344
6Middlesbrough29128947361144
7Blackburn RoversBlackburn29126113228442
8Bristol City29101183734341
9Watford29125124041-141
10Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds29118104245-341
11Norwich CityNorwich29109104842639
12Coventry CityCoventry29108113938138
13Queens Park RangersQPR2991193237-538
14Millwall29910102826237
15Preston North EndPreston2981383236-437
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2999113343-1036
17Swansea CitySwansea2997133240-834
18Cardiff CityCardiff29710123344-1131
19Hull City2978143038-829
20Stoke CityStoke29611122636-1029
21Portsmouth2978143652-1629
22Derby CountyDerby2976163240-827
23Luton TownLuton2975172948-1926
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth29410152762-3522
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .