Former Celt cuts Newcastle down to size

Shaun Maloney notched his third goal of the season yesterday as Wigan took a great leap towards Premiership safety with a 4-0 hammering of Newcastle United at the DW Stadium.

The former Celt was instrumental in the win as Roberto Martinez’s side raced into a 4-0 half-time lead with Maloney scoring the third goal after being sent through 1-on-1 with Tim Krul.

On the back of wins over Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and now Newcastle Wigan’s hopes of staying up are in their own hands with Blackburn and Wolves to be played in the remaining two matches.

“The team are in a great run of form this month, everyone can be very pleased with their form,” Martinez said after the match.

“I’m extremely pleased because what we’ve shown today is a real clinical touch that we have lacked in the past. I thought the 4-0 lead was fully deserved at half-time and there is a real satisfaction that we saw it through.

“It was huge win today and we have two more huge games against Blackburn and Wolves. This result is fantastic for the fans but if we don’t achieve our aim of staying in this league then it is going to mean nothing.”

The defeat leaves Newcastle in fourth place in the Premiership but that will only secure a Champions League spot if Bayern Munich beat Chelsea in this season’s final.

If Chelsea beat Bayern they will qualify for next season’s competition leaving the fourth placed side in the Premiership to take part in the Europa League.

Maloney’s other Premiership goals this season were against Liverpool and Manchester United.

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