Cole makes his point in Style
If Redknapp's problems centre on keeping players content, Paul Jewell, the Wigan manager, has more pressing concerns. When Lee McCulloch fired past David James with seven minutes left, it seemed that his team had salvaged some respite, only for Kanu's last-minute header to inflict their sixth successive defeat. “I think relegation is going to go right down to the wire with about ten teams involved in a dogfight,” Jewell said.
The Independent
Cole cuts Redknapp's Blues
Wigan, who were dire for much of the game, had equalised through Lee McCulloch seven minutes from time after a goal from Andy Cole with a trademark swivel-and-turn shot had put Portsmouth ahead.
The Wigan manager Paul Jewell, whose side registered a sixth successive defeat, had concerns of his own. "I always knew that it was going to be a dog-fight," he said.
Wigan are plummeting down the Premiership table after a fine 10th-place finish last season. As Jewell put it: "Forget last season's romantic story, we are not the new kids on the block anymore."
The People
Portsmouth 2 Wigan 1
Lee McCulloch - back after a three-match suspension for thumping Sheffield United defender Chris Morgan in the face - had volleyed a screamer seven minutes from time to cancel out Cole's effort.
Pompey dominated the match and their goalkeeper David Jones had little to do up to that point. However, the blue tide continued to roll towards the Wigan goal.
Gary O'Neil looked about to pull the trigger for a Portsmouth winner in the 85th minute before colliding with Cole. But then Kanu proved himself the supersub with a towering header at the far post after Wigan had panicked following another Johnson cross.
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