Like many games at the DW Stadium this year, this one was spoiled due to huge divots popping up all over the playing surface. Misplaced passes were the order of the day as both sides struggled to find any sort of rhythm.

Roberto Mancini’s side had a number of chances inside the Wigan box from well-timed crosses in the opening exchanges. However, both Stefan Savic and the match winner Dzeko failed to convert early on. The only goal came with 22 minutes on the clock.

A David Silva free whipped in from the left found the head of Dzeko who saw his glancing header beat Ali Al Habsi in the Wigan goal, to end an 11-game drought for the Bosnian.

Referee Martin Atkinson should have reduced the home side to ten men when Maynor Figueroa blatantly handled the ball on the half-way line to prevent Sergio Aguero from going through on goal. Atkinson opted instead to only show the Wigan defender a yellow card, much to the dismay of the City players and coaching staff.

It really was a game in which no player stood out. City keeper Joe Hart was awarded the man of the match, and to be fair, it was probably the right decision. He didn’t have a whole lot to do, but when called upon, the England stopper displayed his usual class.

With this result, City now move three points clear of neighbours United at the top of the table, and are now five points clear of their next opponents, Tottenham. Sunday’s games, City v Tottenham and Arsenal v United, could well be decisive in this season’s title race. City win and United fail to pick up all three points and that could be it.

What do you think? Feel free to leave your comments below.

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Bolton: Bolton have lost both Daniel Sturridge and Johan Elmander, leaving Wanderers with a lack of firepower up front, and if they must invest in a forward to partner the reliable Kevin Davies if they are to challenge for European football. Retaining the services of Gary Cahill is also key to the clubs bid for continental football. However the club has strengthened in midfield, bringing in Darren Pratley and Nigel Reo-Coker, as well as Chris Eagles from Burnley, who joined along with Tyrone Mears. Overall the club should do enough to achieve a mid-table place, although Owen Coyle must do more to bring European football to the Reebok.

Prediction : 11th
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Fulham: After an eighth place finish last season, Mark Hughes decided to jump ship and was replaced by Martin Jol. Dutchman Jol who turned Tottenham from a mid-table club into one pushing for Champions league football, should be able to get the best out of this defensively sound team of which the core still remains from the Hodgson and Hughes era’s. John Arne Riise has returned to the Premier League and a healthy Bobby Zamora will be welcomed back by fans. I expect the Cottagers to start well, although ultimately a side that has been playing competitive football since mid-July will eventually tire out and an end of season slump to mid table is to be expected.

Prediction: 12^th
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West Brom: Although many thought the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo was rather harsh in February, it was his replacement Roy Hodgson that lead the Baggies to a surprisingly comfortable run to survival, and an 11^th place finish, their best in nearly 30 years. The return of cult hero Zoltan Gera and the signing of Shane Long should prove popular with fans, and if Peter Odemwingie can continue his form from last year West Brom should have no safety problems under the greatly experienced Hodgson.

Prediction: 13^th
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Wolves : While it is difficult to know whether their summer business is enough to keep the side up for another year, Wolves looked at times, much like a top six side last season, beating the likes of Chelsea, Villa, Liverpool and Man City, while smashing eventual Champions Man United’s undefeated record. However, McCarthy’s men found themselves in too many off days against too many beatable teams and looked doomed towards the end of the year before a late run-in secured safety on the last day. Should Doyle and Fletcher keep fit and Roger Johnson help fix the defensive problem, Wolves should at least be safe for this season at least.

Prediction: 14^th
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Wigan : After yet another last gasp escape from relegation in a campaign which began with a 4-0 defeat at home to Blackpool and ended with a Hugo Rodallaega goal 12 minutes from time to stay up, Wigan are realistic ahead of the pending campaign. Charles N’Zogbia did depart for Villa, but his exit should mean more starts for the promising Victor Moses. Midfielder David Jones has also arrived from Wolves, but easily the finest signing of the summer was to retain the services of manager Roberto Martinez. I expect Martinez’s decision to stay to be rewarded by a committed Wigan side eager to give their all for their young manager, ensuing a hard fought fight to survival.

Prediction: 15^th
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Join us tomorrow for Part 3 when we will be looking at the bottom half of the top ten.

Scottish giants Celtic, Premier League side Wigan and Championship outfit Derby County are all desperate to sign Kilmarnock striker Conor Sammon before the transfer window shuts later tonight.

Sammon, 24, has been in impressive goalscoring form this season, scoring 18 goals in 26 games and has caught the attention of several managers around Britain.

The former UCD and Derry City man is understood to be open to a move away from Rugby Park. However, Sammon turned down the chance to join Scunthorpe earlier this month and with just a few hours to go before the window shuts, it remains to be seen if he will be on the move.

What do you think? Who will Sammon be playing for when the window shuts? Comments below please.

They have played just two games this season but already, Roberto Martinez’s Wigan look doomed.

The 6-0 defeat to Chelsea was to be expected after they were humiliated by Premier League new boys Blackpool on the opening day of the season.

Wigan have a few decent players in the form of James McCarthy and Victor Moses but with Charles N’Zogbia desperate to leave the DW Stadium, I for one believe they lack the quality to survive this season.

It really doesn’t get any easier for Wigan as they travel to Tottenham next weekend and I for one reckon they will be destroyed once again and their odds of 5/6 to be relegated, will be slashed by the bookies.

What do you think? Comments below please.

Live Football Tickets is a great site to buy yourself some Premier League tickets.

Caldwell embarrassed as break-dancing move doesn’t come off right.

Carlos Tevez scored another three goals tonight but, having gone in with two feet earlier on, it’s not unreasonable to suggest the Argentine should have received his marching orders before he even got his first.

Yes, Manchester City ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Wigan in the end. However, that most likely would not have been the case had referee Stuart Attwell sent the former Manchester United man off for the tackle which saw Wigan’s Gary Caldwell shown a straight red.

Originally, I was fearful as a City fan, that Tevez was the man about to receive his marching orders. What relief I felt as Attwell hoisted his red card in the Wigan man’s direction. Having watched the incident from numerous angles, my opinion has remained unchanged. Even with my blue-tinted glasses on, I have to admit that Tevez went in dangerously and it was he, not Caldwell, who should have been sent down the tunnel.

Vital win for Mancini’s men, nonetheless. The race for 4th place looks like it’s going right down to the wire.

I’m keen to hear what you have to say on this one. Comments below please.

If you haven’t already seen Maynor Figueroa’s goal for Wigan this afternoon, make sure you watch the video at the top of this post. I’m sure you’ll agree, it was simply out of this world.

In the words of Andy Gray : “What a hit son, what a hit.”

What do you think? Was it the goal of the season or have you seen a better goal? Comments below please.

It was just two months ago when Roberto Martinez’ Wigan caused one of the biggest shocks of the season by beating Premier League leaders Chelsea 3-1 at the DW Stadium.

Contrast that to yesterday’s humiliating (that’s a massive understatement, I know) 9-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham.

It really does make you wonder how a side, composed of basically the same eleven players, can convincingly beat the league leaders one weekend, yet still manage to lose to 4th in the table just two months later.

I just wondering what this result will do for the confidence of Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland. The former Liverpool man is currently on the verges of the England national side and with South Africa fast approaching, yesterday’s performance will not have pleased Mr Capello.

I was delighted to see that the Wigan players have this afternoon offered to refund the Latics fans who travelled to White Hart Lane yesterday. You never really see that happen in the game and I think the players have to take a lot of credit for this, however it really is the least they could have done.

I am curious to see how the Wigan players bounce back when they face Sunderland next weekend.

What do you think? Comments below please.

The former Hull City, Watford, Middlesbrough, Barnet, Gllingham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds frontman allegedly broke the woman’s nose after she told him to leave her alone.

The Jamaican international has already been sacked by Wigan after it was confirmed he will spend the next year and a half behind bars. So, Football Corner would like you to sum King up in three words. Please tell us your three words by leaving a comment below.

My three words : an absolute sicko