Fulham out as Ellington rediscovers goal touch

Wigan Athletic 2 Fulham 1

Wigan continued their ruthless purge of Premiership clubs with their minds not quite on the Worthington Cup as Nathan Ellington timed the return of his scoring rhythm perfectly. The striker had not found the back of the net for nine matches, but his two first-half goals last night sent them on their way to the quarter finals, where another big night at the JJB against Blackburn Rovers was fair reward for the way in which they showed much greater enthusiasm than their visitors.

"It was nice for 'The Duke' to get the goals. He's had a bit of a lean spell, but he's come good tonight," Wigan's assistant manager, Chris Hutchins, said. "But you can't pick out individuals because it was a real team effort."

Wigan had already accounted for two Premiership sides in this competition, but if Fulham were impressed by that, it did not show in Jean Tigana's team selection. Of the side that started at Blackburn on Saturday, only Lee Clark kept his place in this starting line-up. It was a predictable policy, but it surrendered the initiative to a Wigan side which has already demonstrated in the Worthington Cup that it is more than a match for anyone not fully focused.

From the start they were the livelier side and it was a clever piece of play from their other striker, Neil Roberts, that led to their first goal after 20 minutes. Roberts' back heel released Ellington for a low shot that found the far corner. Another back heel from Roberts led to a chance driven wide by Peter Kennedy, but, seven minutes after their first, Wigan scored again. Their captain, Jason De Vos, played a ball through the middle of the defence, Ellington latched on to it and although it bounced crazily around the penalty area, he finally dispatched it past Maik Taylor. Injuries to Zat Knight and Facundo Sava saw the introduction of Sean Davis and Luis Boa Morte at half time, which at least gave Fulham a fresh injection of enthusiasm. Just short of the hour, Boa Morte had their first real shot but when they did get the ball in the net soon after, Andrejs Stolcers was clearly off side. Wigan had three excellent chances to put the game beyond all doubt, but Ellington had his shot saved when Roberts was in a better position, Kennedy had his effort smothered and the irrepressible Ellington headed just wide.

"He was the best player tonight," admitted Tigana. "But it was an horrific defensive performance from us in the first half. Wigan were the better side and deserved to win."

That remained the case even when Fulham scored the late goal which gave them a glimmer of hope, Clark playing the ball through for Boa Morte to take advantage of Wigan's one lax moment of the night. It made for a nervous last couple of minutes but they hung on to what they had earned.

Wigan: (4-4-2): Filan; Eaden, Jackson, De Vos, McMillan; Green (Mitchell, 75), Dinnings, Jarrett, Kennedy; Ellington, Roberts (Flynn, 90). Substitutes not used: Beasant (gk), Teale, Breckin.

Fulham: (4-4-2): Taylor; Leacock, Ouaddou, Knight (Davies, h-t), Wome; Inamoto, Djetou, Clark, Collins; Sava (Boa Morte, h-t), Stolcers. Substitutes not used: Herrera (gk), Goldbaek, Hudson.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).