Rodallega fires Wigan to 3-1 win at Burnley

Oct 24, 2009 - 6:11 PM By WALTER SIMON STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hailed two-goal striker Hugo Rodallega as Burnley's 100 per cent home record was shattered in a 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Rodallega took his Premier League tally for the season to five as Burnley fell away after taking an early lead, losing inspirational goalkeeper Brian Jensen in a bizarre incident leading to the equaliser.

Martinez said: "Rodallega has a special instinct for goals. It is something you cannot teach.

"He is a clinical finisher which makes him so important to us but he also works hard and contributes to the team effort in so many ways."

Burnley began brightly enough, threatening to do to Wigan what they have already done to Manchester United and Everton at Turf Moor.

Robbie Blake got away down the left after four minutes and crossed for Steven Fletcher to bundle the ball in from close range, his shot going in off the crossbar.

But Wigan were level seven minutes later when Jensen fell over on his ankle coming out to collect a harmless cross from Mario Melchiot and Rodallega had only to roll the ball into an empty net.

Burnley stormed back and it needed a great save from Chris Kirkland to deny Chris Eagles but after 51 minutes, Wigan went in front and stayed there.

Jason Scotland set up the goal with a run to the bye-line and pulled the ball back for Rodallega to drill home a right foot shot.

Burnley threw men forward in a desperate search for a second goal but there were questions to be asked of their defence when they conceded a third in the 73rd minute.

Paul Scharner flicked on a corner and Wigan defender Emmerson Boyce had plenty of time and room to score at the far post.

Martinez said: "I have to be pleased with such a good result. Burnley are very strong on their own ground and you can see why because they attacked us all afternoon.

"To go behind so soon into the match could have been a problem but the players responded perfectly and reacted just the way I hoped they would.

"After we had conceded we played our best football and I think we finished the game strongly. To do that at Turf Moor is an achievement."

Burnley boss Owen Coyle believed the turning point was the injury to Jensen who was replaced by Peruvian Diego Penny.

Coyle said: "We got a great start and for ten minutes we were in control but then we get an injury like that, a bizarre injury and you cannot do anything about it.

"Even then I felt we were good enough to get another and go on and win but we conceded another and there was no way back.

"I felt we switched off at a set piece for the third goal but we dominated long spells and should have had something to show for it."