JAMES McCARTHY, who holds the notable distinction of being the youngest-ever player to reach 100 games at senior level in Scottish football, announced himself south of the border yesterday when he struck on his full Premier League debut for Wigan. McCarthy, aged only 18 when he created that record nine months ago as a Hamilton Accies player, struck on 60 minutes and his goal was suitable punishment for a Wolves side that lacked any invention all afternoon, save a bizarre line in self-destruction, with Richard Stearman their culprit-in-chief.
The 22-year-old right back gave away the softest penalty you will see all season, was then sent off, and by the end Wolves had faded away so badly that their opponents looked like world-beaters rather than fellow competitors in the relegation scrap. "It wasn't the cleverest thing to do," his manager, Mick McCarthy, said afterwards. "But there for the grace of God went I as a young lad."
The afternoon would have unfolded much differently, had Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Wolves' struggling centre forward, not missed the easiest of opportunities on 19 minutes when he was played through with a clever pass from Nenad Milijas, but incredibly he shot wide from 10 yards.
After that, Wolves never properly threatened, whereas at the other end Hugo Rodallega was making Michael Mancienne's life a misery. On the stroke of half-time, an errant clearance by Mancienne was chased by McCarthy, but the ball was heading over the dead-ball line when Stearman pulled him back. Having been booked earlier, Stearman was also sent off. Marcus Hahnemann brilliantly saved Rodallega's penalty, struck low to his right, but the schooling of Roberto Martinez then shone through in the second half as Wolves were outplayed.
On 60 minutes, Charles N'Zogbia, who was out- standing, skinned Stephen Ward and pulled the ball back to Rodallega, who was denied by Hahnemann, but it fell for McCarthy and he tucked neatly into the net. Wigan had a crazy moment when Hendry Thomas lunged at Ward and got his second yellow card. But they quickly added a second.
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Mario Melchiot's throw on the right found Rodallega, who laid the ball to N'Zogbia, running inside. He swept around Jody Craddock and stroked into the corner.
"We passed a real test of character," Martinez said. "We missed the penalty and could have felt sorry for ourselves, but we found the answers."
Star man: Charles N'Zogbia (Wigan) Yellow cards: Wolves: Stearman, Henry, Ward, Doyle Wigan: Thomas, Gomez, N'Zogbia Red cards: Stearman (Wolves), Thomas (Wigan)
Referee: H Webb Attendance: 26,604
WOLVES: Hahnemann 8; Stearman 3, Craddock 5, Mancienne 4, Ward 5; Foley 5, Henry 6, Milijas 6 (Surman 82min), Jarvis 6 (Jones 46min 5),; Doyle 6, Ebanks-Blake 5 (Iwelumo 68min 5) WIGAN: Kirkland 6; Melchiot 6, Caldwell 6, Bramble 6, Figueroa 6; Thomas 5; McCarthy 8 (Sinclair 90+3min), Diame 7, Scharner 6 (Gomez 47min 6), N'Zogbia 9, McCar; Rodallega
Transfer news
Wolves have offered £6.5m for England under-21 winger Adam Johnson, a fee that, if accepted, would make the Middlesbrough player's transfer the most expensive so far in this January window. The offer could also trigger a bidding war. Steve Bruce wanted to bring Johnson to Sunderland, but was prepared to wait until the summer, when the 22-year-old becomes a free agent, to sign him on a tribunal-adjudicated fee. Bruce is now expected to match Wolves' offer, while Chelsea, Celtic and Rangers may also make bids. After having an offer of £300,000 plus Sam Vokes for Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford rejected, Wolves have shifted their attention to Scunthorpe's Gary Hooper.