More woe for Allardyce

Sam Allardyce's job looks precariously close to being lost as Wigan defeated Newcastle 1-0 at the JJB Stadium. The Newcastle fans voiced their opinion with a chorus of boos at the end, but the victory for Wigan sums up the effort put in by Steve Bruce's side of late.

The win has capped a revival in Wigan's fortunes since Steve Bruce took over as manager last month, the Latics having now taken eight points from the five matches that the former Birmingham boss has been in charge.

But for Allardyce, who was reportedly close to the sack at the start of the month, there can only be fresh pressure with this dismal display coming in the wake of a home draw with bottom side Derby County on Sunday.

Newcastle managed to conjure up only one shot on goal in the entire 90 minutes and they fully deserved to lose as a result of a free-kick conceded by Alan Smith, who had pulled down midfielder Michael Brown just outside the area.

Taylor, normally a right-sided defender but deployed on the left of midfield against Wigan, stepped up to strike a dipping, right-foot shot over the wall and beyond the despairing dive of Newcastle keeper Shay Given.