Out of all the matches I had slated to watch this weekend, I was really most interested in seeing this one. Mostly because I wanted to get my first look at the Canaries back in the EPL.
If Norwich was going to start their new campaign on the road, they would have been hard pressed to find a better opponent than Wigan. Going into the final weekend last season, Wigan were in the bottom 3, and just barely managed to escape relegation. During the off season, they sold N'zogbia, arguably their best player, so you'll forgive Norwich in thinking they might have a shot at DW Stadium.
Things didn't look good in the early going for the Canaries though. Less than a minute into the match David Fox put in a nasty tackle on Di Santo to earn the first yellow of the day. Things would get worse for Norwich as well, as Victor Moses, trying to step up with N'zogbia gone, really torched the Canary defense on several occasions. However, it was a dumb mistake that cost them the first goal. Norwich defender Ritchie de Laet was dispossessed by Di Santo in his own end. He tried to chase him back into the box, but committed a foul conceding a PK. Boyce knocked the spot kick home to make it 1-0 to Wigan.
Norwich responded well though. I mean Wigan is still Wigan, and you know you're going to get your chances. Norwich got one right before the half and capitalized on it. Wigan 'keeper Al Habsi spilled a ball that came into the 6, and Wes Hoolahan slammed the ball into the net to equalize 1-1 at half time.
Both sides had chances in the second half, and both teams looked like they wanted all three points. Unfortunately, neither side was able to muster any finishing. Wigan had the better chances, including a shot from Boyce that hit the post, but the match finished 1-1.
Norwich will probably settle for a draw, but honestly, despite the fact that they played a spirited match, I think they're going to need some help to stay up. Wigan will rue the dropped points at home to a newly promoted team, but hey, last year Blackpool beat them 4-0 on opening day. They should also be impressed with the play of Victor Moses, who was a spark plug all match long.
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