Spanish Armada
Gomez scores hat-trick to give Wigan last-gasp victory
LONDON: Spanish striker Jordi Gomez hit a hat-trick to give Wigan a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Reading after an atrocious blunder by goalkeeper Ali al Habsi appeared to have gifted the visitors a share of the points.
Gomez, restored to the side after two defeats, hit three clinically-taken second half goals, the winner coming in stoppage time.
But 10 minutes from the end, al Habsi had one of those moments all keepers dread as Reading striker Jason Roberts bustled his way into the area and found Hal Robson-Kanu in space only for the winger’s shot to be deflected up into the air.
Al Habsi could only stand and watch in horror as the ball dropped earthwards in what looked like slow motion, then let it slip from his grasp and trickle over the line.
But in a final throw of the dice, Gomez sent Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone away down the left and slammed the return pass into the roof of the net.
Gomez had earlier struck twice in 10 minutes early in the second half, as half-time substitute di Santo raised Wigan’s game.
Reading ‘keeper Adam Federici had a let-off on the quarter hour when Kone missed a sitter, stealing into the area and, unmarked six metres out, contrived to head Jean Beausejour’s cross wide when it would have been easier to score.
In the 28th minute, Reading had Nicky Shorey to thank as Kone made a mess of his attempt after rounding Federici and Shorey cleared off the line.
Sean Morisson finally broke the deadlock for Reading on 35 minutes against the run of play and Shorey, having kept a goal out at the other end, turned provider with a deep free-kick from the left for Morrison to score his first Premier League goal with a bullet of a header into the top corner.
The second half got underway in driving rain and Wigan’s Argentine striker Franco di Santo, on at the break for Shaun Maloney, went close with his very first touch as Federici had to be fling himself to his left to keep the shot out.
Wigan were back on terms after 58 minutes as Gomez made up for an earlier miss after being set up by the livewire di Santo.
His cross from the left was met by Gomez, steaming in and although Adam Federici blocked the shot, it fell back into Gomez’s path and he whipped in the rebound.
Reading had a clear penalty appeal waved away by referee Howard Webb after Maynor Figueroa hauled down Jay Tabb and moments later at the other end, Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi brougbht out a brilliant save to deny Adam le Fondre.
Gomez capped Wigan’s fine second-half performance with his second goal 10 minutes later, stooping to head home Beausejour’s cross from the left, only for al Habsi to undo his good work near the end before Gomez had the final say.