Martinez joy as Wigan make history

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hailed an "historic day" as his side recorded their first win at Anfield with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool to boost their survival hopes.

Shaun Maloney put the struggling Latics ahead with a 30th-minute penalty after Martin Skrtel kicked Victor Moses in the face and even when Luis Suarez equalised two minutes after half-time the visitors bounced back with Gary Caldwell's winner just after the hour.

The win, which extended Wigan's current run to just one defeat in seven matches, ensured they closed the gap between them and safety from three points to just one. Martinez said: "It is an historic day for us, Wigan beating Liverpool at Anfield."

He added: "That is why we are involved in football to defy the odds and history. I would like to present this moment to our fans as they have not had much to celebrate this season."

The result could have been different had Suarez's effort just a few minutes after his first goal not been ruled out for handball.

Martinez and Reds boss Kenny Dalglish disagreed with their interpretation of referee Lee Mason's decision.

"I have seen the replay and it is clearly a handball," said the Wigan manager. "I have had so many bad decisions this season I've always kept my mouth shut and I will only concentrate and enjoy our victory.

"I think Lee Mason was a very strong referee and we were fortunate with that as we all know Luis Suarez is an artist in getting free-kicks and good situations for himself."

Dalglish, who blamed his team's lacklustre performance on tiredness, took the directly opposite viewpoint.

"There is no rhyme or reason why the second goal should be chalked off when Luis challenged for the header," said the Scot. "It wasn't handball. I must have a different television. It hit his shoulder as he turned to try to play it in."