Late Mido penalty dents Reds' title dreams
Mido's 83rd minute penalty saw Liverpool drop more vital points in the title chase
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Wednesday, 28, Jan 2009 11:05
New Wigan striker Mido scored a late penalty on his debut to earn the Latics a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at the JJB Stadium.
The result dents the Reds' title aspirations after their sixth draw in nine league games saw them lose ground to leaders Manchester United.
Rafael Benitez's side have seen their lead at the top of the table wane recently but they had looked to be heading level with United on 50 points thanks to Yossi Benayoun's first-half strike.
However, Mido's penalty now leaves the Reds two points adrift of their rivals. The point ensured Steve Bruce's side remain in seventh place in the table.
Wigan were forced to make five changes to their side due to injuries to Antonio Valencia, Chris Kirkland and Titus Bramble and the sales of Wilson Palacios and Emile Heskey.
The disruption to the Latics side clearly affected them in the opening stages as Liverpool dominated territory and possession.
Fernando Torres hit the post with a glancing header before Mike Pollitt was forced into the good save by Ryan Babel.
But the visitors soon took a deserved lead when Benayoun managed to sneak the ball in from a tight angle. The Israeli international was forced wide by Pollit but despite having to shoot on the turn he managed to force it between the keeper and the near post.
Steven Gerrard went close to doubling the visitors' advantage on the stoke of half-time with a long-range free-kick that went inches over the crossbar.
The Latics improved at the interval and could have equalised but Emmerson Boyce failed to take advantage of a poor Liverpool offside trap and headed wide.
New Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega then hit the woodwork from a free-kick that had Pepe Reina beaten.
Wigan did eventually draw level after Lucas Leiva brought down Jason Koumas inside the box seven minutes from time.
Mido confidently stepped up to take to spot kick and lashed it past Reina to make it 1-1.
Strangely having been pegged back to 1-1 Benitez chose to take off captain and talisman Gerrard for Robbie Keane. However, the striker did not have enough time to change the result.
The Reds are now in third place in the league on goal difference following Chelsea's win over Middlesbrough.