Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester City

City have never won at this ground and the sequence continued as they were forced to repress their attacking dynamism in the closing stages, having seen Pablo Zabaleta sent off in the 65th minute for a second bookable offence.

Mark Hughes' team fell behind to Charles N'Zogbia's first half strike, but Martin Petrov equalised soon after half time and City looked the stronger side until Argentine full-back Zabaleta was shown a second yellow card.

N'Zogbia had the first real sight of goal when he cut inside Nigel de Jong and let fly with a low, skimming shot that flashed past Shay Given's right-hand post.

The Frenchman had another effort soon after as play skipped from end to end, but his long-range strike did not test his former Newcastle team-mate on this occasion.

Emmanuel Adebayor forced Chris Kirkland into one decent save and Carlos Tevez did not react fast enough when Maynor Figueroa nudged a header into his path. But there was a paucity of chances for the visitors that did not sit easily with the growing feeling they will be involved in the title shake-up.

Referee Alan Wiley showed yellow cards to Latics midfielder Hendry Thomas and then Zabaleta - the latter perhaps harshly treated for his foul on Maynor Figueroa, although the tackle was late. He would pay the price for that transgression later.

After a dangerous Hugo Rodallega 25-yard shot had been dealt with by Given, Figueroa was booked for bringing down Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Still, a goalless opening period was drawing to a seemingly inevitable conclusion when Rodallega, set up by the industrious Jason Scotland, went for the far corner with an angled drive.

N'Zogbia had a goal disallowed when Wiley ruled he had barged Gareth Barry over inside the City box, but the Wigan midfielder soon made up for that disappointment in added-on time at the end of the first half.

Jason Scotland created space for Rodallega, who went for goal with a low cross-shot that Given could only push out to N'Zogbia who got in front of Wayne Bridge to turn home.

However, City responded well to Mark Hughes' half-time teamtalk and promptly equalised 65 seconds after the restart.

Bramble produced a superb saving tackle on Adebayor soon afterwards as City pushed for a second goal while at the other end, Kirkland - who need treatment for a finger injury - turned away Barry's effort from a Petrov cross.

City's increased threat and Wigan's desperation to get something from the contest, brought an edge to the game. And with challenges flying in, there was a risking of someone's afternoon ending early. Wigan were more likely winners at the end.

City stay fifth in the table while Wigan lie 13th. Wigan's next fixture is at Burnley on Saturday and City host Fulham the following day.