FULL TIME - Man. City FC 0 - 0 Wigan Athletic FC

Manchester City was held to a goalless draw by a spirited Wigan Athletic side who had it's share of chances but just couldn't convert a meaningful match winning goal. Numerous plays into the box for Emile Heskey and Alan King proved fruitless, and the best chance was a powerful Wilson Palacios shot hard and low that City keeper Joe Hart somehow managed to dive at and stop in a crucial save for Sven-Goran Erikkson's club.

In the midst of the race for European places however, the usually calm and collected Sven will have had his feathers ruffled against by his side dropping more points at home, now 0-4-2 in their last 6 matches for 4 points from 24 after starting the season a perfect 9-0-0 (27 pts). For Steve Bruce's men, they will likely feel as though a gifted opportunity has passed them by, but they'll be happy return from their travels with a crucial point that returns them to 14th in the Premier League table ahead of Sunderland on goal difference and on Birmingham City by a single point. Things don't get any easier for Latics, however, who face Arsenal at the JJB next weekend. Wigan will be hoping that the demoralization from the Eduardo incident, coupled with some tired legs after the midweek clash with AC Milan (not to mention Arsenal's doing themselves no favors by escaping with 1-1 home draw against Aston Villa) gives them an even better chance to pick up only their second points take against a top 4 club after a 1-1 draw at Anfield earlier in the season. They'll look to pick up those unlikely points for an extra little boost in the relegation fight.

Elsewhere around the league it was:

    Derby County 0 - 0 Sunderland          Pride Park
  Middlesborough 0 - 1 Reading             Riverside Stadium
 Birmingham City 4 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur   St. Andrews
Newcastle United 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers    St. James' Park
          Fulham 0 - 3 Manchester United   Craven Cottage
         Arsenal 1 - 1 Aston Villa         Emirates Stadium
 West Ham United 0 - 4 Chelsea             Boleyn Ground
                                           (Upton Park)

Sunday morning's matches include Bolton vs. Liverpool at the Reebok and the pick of the week for many in Everton vs. Portsmouth from Goodison Park.
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Here's the web player for today's coverage of the match between Manchester City and Wigan Athletic, brought to you LIVE! with free audio commentary here on Matchday LIVE! Be sure to tune in for all 90 minutes of exciting action from this important English Premier League tie.