Rodallega shows no sentiment in Wigan return
Fulham gained their first away win of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Wigan to extend their unbeaten streak against their opponents to 12 games.
Fulham gained their first away win of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Wigan to extend their unbeaten streak against their opponents to 12 games.
Goals from former Wigan favourite Hugo Rodallega - whose goal on the final day of the season saved their Premier League status two seasons ago - and Irish veteran Damien Duff sealed the points for the Cottagers.
Arouna Kone grabbed a late consolation for the hosts.
The first-half had seen the home side have the first chance Kone forcing veteran Aussie 'keeper Mark Schwarzer into a save.
Referee Lee Probert was lucky to see out the half after he was clattered into accidentally by Steve Sidwell and Wigan's Ben Watson but after lengthy treatment was able to continue.
Rodallega went close midway through the first-half but Ali Al-Habsi saved from his header.
However, the 27-year-old Colombian striker made no mistake in the 31st minute rising to meet Dimitar Berbatov's cross and beat Al-Habsi.
Wigan striker Jordi Gomez went close to levelling seven minutes from the break but his excellent first-time effort came back off the bar.
Kone had a great chance to level early in the second-half as he was put through but with just Schwarzer to beat he produced two dreadful touches and the opportunity was wasted.
That proved to be costly as Fulham doubled their lead through Duff, who was set up by Costa Rican striker Brian Ruiz, who had somehow managed to hold off four Wigan players to deliver the decisive pass.
Schwarzer denied Wigan again with a fine save from Ivan Ramis while Al-Habsi produced a breathtaking stop to deny Berbatov.
Kone did finally find the target, beating Schwarzer in the final minute.