City battle to Wigan win

Kolo Toure ended an awful few days by watching Manchester City beat Wigan 1-0 at Eastlands.

Suspended pending the outcome of an investigation into his failed drugs test, Toure turned up to support his team-mates anyway.

And he was rewarded with three points, but only after an horrific howler from Ali Al Habsi gifted David Silva his first-half winner.

Although City had enjoyed plenty of possession, they had only created one other chance, when Mario Balotelli cut in from the left flank in the opening minutes.

On that occasion, Al Habsi performed more in keeping with his general standards since arriving on loan from Bolton, making an excellent save, even if the ball did rocket away at a strange angle.

From 10 yards and in plenty of space, James McCarthy should have kept his effort on target.

City gave up a half-time lead right after the re-start against Fulham on Sunday and nearly did exactly the same again.

Antolin Alcaraz crept into space to meet Ben Watson's corner at the near post, flicking the ball over Pablo Zabaleta and onto the crossbar.

McCarthy let fly with a fizzing half-volley from 25 yards that brought an excellent save out of Joe Hart.

Dubliner Conor Sammon had one last chance of claiming the point Wigan deserved when he was sent through by Hugo Rodallega but his shot rolled agonisingly wide of the far post to leave Roberto Martinez cursing his luck once more.