Baines sinks former employers

12 April 2012

Everton grabbed their first league points of the season thanks to an injury-time penalty from Leighton Baines after struggling to subdue a defiant Wigan, finally running out 2-1 winners at the close.

Some of Wigan's tackling - they picked up six bookings - enraged the Goodison Park faithful but it looked as if Roberto Martinez's men were going to grab a point at least.

They led early in the second period through a Paul Scharner header before Louis Saha grabbed his fourth goal of the season to pull Everton level.

And the home side had to wait until the third minute of injury time and Emmerson Boyce's foul on Jo for Baines to have the chance to smash home the penalty winner against his old club.

The defeat was the Latics` fourth successive loss in all competitions and leaves the club without a point since their opening-day win at Aston Villa.

Defender Sylvain Distin made his Everton debut while another new signing, #10million Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, was on the bench.

The home side came close with the best move of the first half. Jack Rodwell's turn and pass finding Leon Osman, who instantly sent Tim Cahill racing away down the left.

The Australian's cross found Saha powering into the six-yard box, but Michael Pollitt managed to get his body in the way of the shot.

But it was Wigan who broke the deadlock after 56 minutes. Charles N'Zogbia crossed from the right and Scharner arrived unmarked on the far post to produce a diving header that Tim Howard could not keep out.

Jordi Gomez side-footed a Mario Melchiot cross against a post before the Toffees were level in the 62nd minute, Saha heading home a Baines corner. And then three minutes into injury time, Boyce brought down Jo and Baines smashed home the penalty.

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