Dzeko: On target for City

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Wigan 0-1 Manchester City

Edin Dzeko scored the only goal of the game as Manchester City ground out a 1-0 win against a spirited Wigan side at the DW Stadium.

Dzeko scored midway through the first half to seal the win for City who move three points clear of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League, while Wigan stay bottom after failing to transfer their positive second half display into a goal.

City started brightly but it was Wigan who got a first attempt on goal after three minutes after Albert Crusat’s cross from the left created problems for the visitors which resulted in shouts for a penalty against Gareth Barry when he seemed to run into the back of a Wigan forward but play was waved on.

However, as the play continued, James McArthur’s effort from the edge of the deflected just wide off James Milner.

City went close on nine minutes when Samir Nasri’s cross found Stefan Savic unmarked near the penalty spot but he guided his header just over. Wigan were punished for not taking heed of that warning when City went ahead on 22 minutes.

David Silva’s free kick from the left found Dzeko in the centre and he got up well to head into the bottom corner past keeper Ali Al-Habsi. McArthur had another effort at goal for Wigan which Joe Hart got down well to save just before the half-hour.

However, City continued to dominate possession and almost went two-up on 44 minutes but Al-Habsi got down well to parry Sergio Aguero’s low strike from just inside the area.

Wigan started the second half the brighter of the two sides, but it was City who almost stretched their lead on 55 minutes.

Al-Habsi did well to parry a Dzeko effort with a diving save before he then denied Silva’s follow-up shot inside the area.

Within a minute Aguero went on a mazy run past three defenders, but Dzeko took the ball of his toe as he was about to pull the trigger and only managed to knock the ball back into the hands of Al-Habsi much to his team-mate’s annoyance.

On 62 minutes a Gael Clichy left-wing cross took a nick off three players and bobbled just wide of the far post.

Wigan’s best chance came on 70 minutes when James McCarthy got in the left side of the City area but his effort was brilliantly saved by the outstretched foot of Hart.

Wigan kept pressing but City continued to have the best chances on the break with Dzeko seeing a shot deflect off Gary Caldwell which forced Al-Habsi to tip over and Aguero dragged an effort wide of the far post when well placed in the area on 84 minutes.