ENGLAND ONCE HAD CAUSE TO bemoan the sublime heroics of Polish goalkeepers and now Wigan Athletic have joined the ranks of those who are unlikely to have that particular species on their Christmas card list. The name of Tomasz Kuszczak is every bit a grammatical contortion as is Jan Tomaszewski, “The Clown” who famously dashed the nation’s World Cup hopes in 1973, and the West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper proved an equally imposing barrier at the JJB Stadium yesterday.
The Black Country team secured their first away victory in the Premiership since defeating Charlton Athletic on March 19 last year, a precious win that was a tribute to their ten men after the sending-off of Darren Moore for a second yellow card two minutes before the interval. If Moore’s dismissal, for two reckless challenges, smacked of carelessness, the resilience from the colleagues he left behind was positively professional.
“It was a terrific battling performance with some magnificent saves by the goalkeeper,” Bryan Robson, the West Bromwich manager, said. Robson was heading to London for a dinner in his honour last night and, having conjured up the great escape at The Hawthorns last May, his team now have a five-point cushion between themselves and Portsmouth, who are third from bottom.
There was an irony in the West Bromwich winner. Nathan Ellington, taunted repeatedly by home fans on his return to Wigan, was sacrificed in a tactical move to negate Moore’s absence. His replacement was Martin Albrechtsen, the Denmark defender, who scored the crucial goal with a predatory touch in the 56th minute. It was the Dane’s first goal for the club on his 49th appearance.
Kuszczak defied all that Wigan could muster, which in fairness was not a great deal, especially in a dreary first half. But his save from Jason Roberts, the former West Bromwich forward, in the third minute of time added on preserved the three points. Roberts was less than two yards out with the equaliser beckoning before Kuszczak spread his body to block the finish.
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The visiting team’s supporters were treated to free travel to the game for the fifth time in recent years; West Bromwich have won four of those matches. Further investment in the local coach firm may be more pivotal in the relegation struggle than the arrival of Ugo Ehiogu, who is in negotiations to join the club on loan from Middlesbrough today.