Antolin Alcaraz keeps Wigan in the Premier League with a dramatic late winner at Ewood Park. Jean Beausejour proves to be the key creator once again as the Latics chalk up their sixth victory in the last eight Gameweeks. Blackburn, on the other hand, are relegated to the Championship after another dire display:
Antolin Alcaraz
The Latics may been outstanding at the back in recent home games – their last three at the DW have seen clean sheets picked up against Stoke, United and Newcastle – but on the road, it’s been a different matter altogether. Roberto Martinez’s side had returned a single away clean sheet all season prior to last night, in their very first road trip at Swansea back in Gameweek 2. Alcaraz’s winner in the 1-0 triumph means he has now returned a couple of goals and four clean sheets in the last seven Gameweeks and, with the maximum bonus points in the bag, has averaged over 6 points per game over that period of time – more than any other player in Martinez’s side since Gameweek 31 onwards. His presence at the back is clearly vital – the Latics have seven clean sheets in the 25 games Alcaraz has featured in, compared to a single clean sheet in the 12 matches he missed through injury.
Jean Beausejour
The former Birmingham man has been a crucial component of the Latics’ 3-4-2-1 system since joining back in January. Beausejour has started every match from Gameweek 23 onwards and has picked up in consistency over the last few Gameweeks. Last night’s assist for Alcaraz’s last-minute goal was his fourth in his last seven appearances but, despite his recent form, a mere 103 Fantasy managers drafted him in prior to Saturday’s deadline – Victor Moses was snapped up by over 93,000 Fantasy owners in comparison. With the pressure now off, it’s basically a straight fight between Bolton and QPR to avoid the drop; Wigan, on the other hand, play host to relegated Wolves next Sunday and, given their outstanding run of form, more Fantasy managers will be turning to the Latics as the season draws to a close.
Yakubu
Blackburn’s Ewood Park blank was the fifth time in the last seven matches Steve Kean’s side have failed to find the net, with their over-reliance on the Nigerian’s goals proving their undoing. While Yakubu has netted 16 times this term, averaging 4.7 points per game (almost on a par with Juan Mata’s 4.8, for example) he has found the net in just two of his last 12 matches – with the goals drying up for the summer signing, only Junior Hoilett, with seven strikes all season, has stepped up. With confidence rock bottom and the fans venting their fury, a trip to the Bridge next Sunday could see plenty snapping up Chelsea’s assets as they seek to finish the season with a win over Kean’s beleaguered side.
