Hull 2-1 Wigan; 3rd Oct 2009

Source: www.espnstar.com

Goals from Jan Vennegoor and Geovanni eased the pressure on Phil Brown as Hull claimed a vital win over Wigan Athletic.

The pair both struck in the second half of a scrappy Barclays Premier League contest at the KC Stadium to end a dismal sequence of results for Brown's struggling side.

Substitute Scott Sinclair headed an 87th-minute reply for the visitors but Hull held on through five minutes of injury time.

It was only the Tigers' second win of the league campaign, their first for six weeks and just their third in 30 outings since last December.

The result also marked a dramatic reversal of fortunes for both clubs, with Hull having been thrashed 6-1 at Liverpool last week while Wigan pulled off a shock win over Chelsea.

After three consecutive defeats, Brown shuffled his pack for the contest by making three changes and moving Kevin Kilbane into central defence.

Newly-appointed captain Nick Barmby was one of the players to come in along with Dean Marney and Kamil Zayatte, and all three lined up in midfield.

Wigan, who won the corresponding fixture last year 5-0, were not surprisingly unchanged, with Jason Scotland again leading the line.

The game got off to a lively start and Hull had a penalty shout declined with only two minutes gone.

Wigan were almost caught out as Stephen Hunt hooked in the ball from the left with his back to goal but goalkeeper Chris Kirkland scrambled back and clawed it away from under his crossbar.

It fell invitingly to the onrushing Barmby six yards out but his powerful shot rebounded off Maynor Figueroa and referee Mark Clattenburg dismissed claims for handball.

Marney then found space and tried his luck from distance but Kirkland was not troubled.

A deep cross-field ball from Hunt then picked out Barmby in the area but the former England international was unable to make firm contact with his volley.

Wigan had another chance when a Charles N'Zogbia corner was pushed out to Hugo Rodallega by Boaz Myhill but the Colombian shot over.

Myhill then beat away a low shot from Mohamed Diame and dived at the feet of Rodallega before Scotland fired narrowly wide after a strong burst.

Geovanni also shot over for Hull after a good run and Vennegoor of Hesselink then glanced a header just wide from the Brazilian's cross.

N'Zogbia was the first to be booked for a late challenge on Andy Dawson that saw play halted while the left-back received treatment.

After a lively opening period, the game went off the boil in the 20 minutes before half-time.

It was not until the second half that the game picked up again, with Wigan's Paul Scharner creating a chance but shooting well over.

Marney then won the ball in midfield for Hull and burst forward but his shot was was deflected wide.

N'Zogbia found good space for Wigan and crossed for Diame but Paul McShane made a timely interception.

Hull grabbed the lead as Vennegoor of Hesselink claimed his first goal for the club on the hour.

The Dutchman charged forward to divert Marney's corner past Kirkland with a firm header at the near post.

Scotland almost produced an instant reply with a shot wide but Barmby missed a chance to double the advantage when he miskicked in front of goal.

It proved to be Barmby's last action of the game before making way for Kamel Ghilas and handing the armband to Geovanni.

The Brazilian responded to grab Hull's second goal in the 68th minute after good work by Zayatte.

Emmerson Boyce gave the ball away on halfway and Zayatte powered into the area and clipped in a fine cross for the unmarked Geovanni to turn in from six yards.

Wigan gave themselves late hope when substitute Sinclair pulled a goal back three minutes from time.

Jordi Gomez's shot from the right was beaten out by Myhill but Sinclair was well placed when the rebound fell his way and instinctively headed in.

Diame then shot over from the edge of the area as Wigan looked to snatch a point.

The signal for five minutes of injury time increased Wigan's belief but Hull held on despite a heart-stopping moment when Gomez went down in the area. He was booked for diving.