Hugo Rodallega scored against his old club to help Fulham to a well-deserved victory at Wigan.

The 27-year-old Colombian headed in his first goal for the London side from strike partner Dimitar Berbatov's superb cross on the half-hour mark.

Damien Duff doubled Fulham's lead with a fierce strike on 68 minutes.

Wigan were 'pedestrian' - Martinez

Arouna Kone managed to pull one back for Wigan late on as he slid the ball home but Fulham held firm to secure their first away points of the season.

In stark contrast to last season, in which Martin Jol failed to win any of their opening six games, Fulham have now won nine points from their first five games.

Their first league win on the road was fully deserved, with summer signings Berbatov and Rodallega validating Jol's decision to pick them ahead of Mladen Petric and Bryan Ruiz, who had both recovered from injury.

The game started tamely, with the only exciting moment coming when referee Lee Probert was robustly upended by both Fulham's Steve Sidwell and Wigan's Ben Watson as he got in the way of the two opposing players as they battled for the loose ball.

The incident seemed to spark the game into life, with Rodallega meeting Berbatov's cross only to be denied by an alert Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi.

Capital punishment

Roberto Martinez's side have lost six of their last seven Premier League games against London opposition. The exception was their 2-1 win at Arsenal in April.

Rodallega, who left Wigan in the summer when his contract ran out, showed again what they might be missing as he teed up Berbatov for an effort that Al Habsi pushed wide.

Wigan were struggling to cope with the pair and it came as no surprise when they combined again to put the visitors in front.

This time Rodallega headed past Al Habsi before respectfully apologising to the Wigan faithful for scoring against them.

Wigan had only mustered four goals so far this season before this game and with the man who scored two of them, Franco Di Santo, out with a calf injury they were struggling to find a cutting edge.

Fulham showed initiative - Jol

But the man who took his place in the team, Jordi Gomez, did go close before the break when he struck the underside of the bar with a powerful effort.

The second period began in similar quiet fashion before Kone squandered a chance after being put clean through by Shaun Maloney. With the goal at his mercy, Wigan's summer signing fired straight at Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Substitute Ruiz troubled Al Habsi with a free-kick before teeing up Duff for the second.

Costa Rican Ruiz beat off four men to poke the ball across the area to the Irishman who struck past Al Habsi.

Fulham were moments away from a clean sheet until substitute Callum McManaman's shot pinged around the area before falling to the feet of Kone who slid the ball home, but for Wigan it was a case of too little, too late.

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:

"It was a really open game with a lot of chances - something we can't be happy about. When you get so many, whoever is going to take them is going to win. We had our chances and we didn't take them.

Rodallega at Wigan

Hugo Rodallega scored 24 goals in a three-and-a-half year spell at the DW Stadium.

"We want to win games at home and to do that you need more defensive intensity. Overall we need to be better.

"Now it is time to open the competition, I think the competition is now open for places."

Fulham manager Martin Jol:

"It is nice to get three points on the board. They are a difficult team. It was pleasing to see us taking the initiative.

"We needed that [second] goal as they scored in added time. You can't complain because they are a good football team, they deserved a goal too.

"One of the reasons that I played him [Rodallega] was because it was against his former team and he had extra motivation to score against his old club."

Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (5)

Wigan Athletic

  • 26 Al Habsi
  • 05 Caldwell (Miyaichi - 76' )
  • 17 Boyce (McManaman - 77' )
  • 21 Ramis
  • 31 Figueroa
  • 04 McCarthy
  • 08 Watson
  • 14 Gomez (Boselli - 62' )
  • 22 Beausejour
  • 02 Kone
  • 10 Maloney

Substitutes

  • 12 Pollitt
  • 06 Jones
  • 07 Crusat
  • 16 McArthur
  • 15 McManaman
  • 19 Boselli
  • 32 Miyaichi

Fulham

  • 01 Schwarzer
  • 03 Riise
  • 05 Hangeland
  • 06 Baird Booked
  • 18 Hughes Booked
  • 27 Riether
  • 07 Sidwell Booked
  • 16 Duff
  • 31 Kacaniklic (Ruiz - 59' )
  • 09 Berbatov
  • 20 Rodallega (Briggs - 88' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Stockdale
  • 02 Kelly
  • 17 Briggs
  • 08 Kasami
  • 14 Karagounis
  • 10 Petric
  • 11 Ruiz
Ref: Probert
Att: 19,284

Match Stats

Shots

18 12

On target

9 9

Corners

8 7

Fouls

7 13

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +4:53 Full time

Full Time The referee ends the match.

90:00 +3:37

Free kick crossed right-footed by Jean Beausejour, clearance made by Aaron Hughes.

90:00 +3:37 Booking

Booking Booking for Chris Baird.

90:00 +3:20

Chris Baird concedes a free kick for a foul on James McCarthy.

90:00 +0:53

Assist by Callum McManaman.

90:00 +0:53 Goal scored

Goal - Arouna Kone - Wigan 1 - 2 Fulham A goal is scored by Arouna Kone from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Wigan 1-2 Fulham.

90:00 +0:34

Shaun Maloney takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Brede Hangeland. Callum McManaman takes a shot. Blocked by John Arne Riise.

89:22

Foul by Chris Baird on Callum McManaman, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jean Beausejour.

87:15 Substitution

Substitution Matthew Briggs is brought on as a substitute for Hugo Rodallega.

87:15

Ryo Miyaichi produces a cross.

86:27

Arouna Kone sends in a cross, Brede Hangeland manages to make a clearance.

84:41

Unfair challenge on Ivan Ramis by Dimitar Berbatov results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Ivan Ramis.

82:48

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Shaun Maloney from the left by-line to the near post, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.

82:14

Corner from the right by-line taken by Jean Beausejour, save made by Mark Schwarzer.

81:01

Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

79:28

Ryo Miyaichi crosses the ball, save made by Mark Schwarzer. Outswinging corner taken by Jean Beausejour from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Chris Baird.

77:46

Callum McManaman fouled by Brede Hangeland, the ref awards a free kick. Shaun Maloney takes the direct free kick.

75:51

Chris Baird takes the free kick.

75:51 Substitution

Substitution Callum McManaman comes on in place of Emmerson Boyce.

75:51 Substitution

Substitution Gary Caldwell goes off and Ryo Miyaichi comes on.

75:51

Ivan Ramis concedes a free kick for a foul on Dimitar Berbatov.

72:23

Unfair challenge on Arouna Kone by Brede Hangeland results in a free kick. The ball is delivered by Jean Beausejour, Ivan Ramis takes a shot. Save made by Mark Schwarzer. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour from the right by-line to the near post, save by Mark Schwarzer.

71:19

Steve Sidwell concedes a free kick for a foul on Shaun Maloney. Direct free kick taken by Ben Watson.

70:28

Shaun Maloney has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.

69:50

Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.

69:50 Booking

Booking Steve Sidwell is shown a yellow card.

69:41

Steve Sidwell challenges Shaun Maloney unfairly and gives away a free kick.

68:42

Maynor Figueroa takes a shot. Blocked by Bryan Ruiz.

67:04

Assist by Bryan Ruiz.

67:04 Goal scored

Goal - Damien Duff - Wigan 0 - 2 Fulham Goal scored by Damien Duff from just inside the area to the top left corner of the goal. Wigan 0-2 Fulham.

66:16

Unfair challenge on Bryan Ruiz by Ben Watson results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Sascha Riether.

64:43

James McCarthy takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer. Close range effort by Mauro Boselli goes wide of the left-hand upright.

64:05

Corner taken by Bryan Ruiz from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Maynor Figueroa.

62:18

Hugo Rodallega fouled by Gary Caldwell, the ref awards a free kick. Bryan Ruiz produces a shot on goal direct from the free kick, save by Ali Al Habsi.

61:30 Substitution

Substitution Mauro Boselli joins the action as a substitute, replacing Jordi Gomez.

60:38

The ball is crossed by Damien Duff, Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

58:31 Substitution

Substitution Bryan Ruiz replaces Alex Kacaniklic.

57:56

Emmerson Boyce delivers the ball. The ball is crossed by Maynor Figueroa, Mark Schwarzer makes a save.

56:07

Arouna Kone takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

53:12

The ball is sent over by Jean Beausejour, save by Mark Schwarzer.

51:14

Emmerson Boyce produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the area by Ben Watson misses to the right of the goal. Foul by John Arne Riise on Jordi Gomez, free kick awarded. Jordi Gomez takes the free kick.

50:34

Corner taken left-footed by Jean Beausejour from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Dimitar Berbatov.

49:24

A cross is delivered by Jean Beausejour.

47:41

Foul by Maynor Figueroa on Dimitar Berbatov, free kick awarded. Steve Sidwell takes the direct free kick.

47:13

Jordi Gomez is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Mark Schwarzer restarts play with the free kick.

45:55

The assistant referee signals for offside against Jean Beausejour. Free kick taken by Mark Schwarzer.

45:01

The second half kicks off.

45:00 +3:21 Half time

Half Time The players leave the pitch at half time.

45:00 +3:03

Jean Beausejour sends in a cross, clearance by Brede Hangeland.

45:00 +0:06

The ball is crossed by Jean Beausejour, save made by Mark Schwarzer. Ben Watson takes the inswinging corner, Dimitar Berbatov makes a clearance.

44:22

Gary Caldwell takes the free kick.

44:22 Booking

Booking Aaron Hughes booked.

44:16

Shaun Maloney fouled by Aaron Hughes, the ref awards a free kick.

43:49

John Arne Riise gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jordi Gomez. Ben Watson restarts play with the free kick.

43:10

Shot from outside the penalty box by Ben Watson goes wide right of the goal.

42:36

Jean Beausejour sends in a cross, John Arne Riise manages to make a clearance.

41:33

A cross is delivered by Emmerson Boyce.

40:39

Jean Beausejour produces a cross, Alex Kacaniklic makes a clearance. Jordi Gomez takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Dimitar Berbatov manages to make a clearance.

39:51

Free kick awarded for a foul by Chris Baird on Shaun Maloney. Direct free kick taken by Ben Watson.

38:55

Centre by Damien Duff, Effort from deep inside the area by Alex Kacaniklic clears the bar.

37:46

Jean Beausejour sends in a cross, Jordi Gomez takes a shot. Ben Watson produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.

37:05

James McCarthy challenges Steve Sidwell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Brede Hangeland takes the free kick.

36:15

James McCarthy takes a shot. Blocked by John Arne Riise.

30:54

Assist by Dimitar Berbatov.

30:54 Goal scored

Goal - Hugo Rodallega - Wigan 0 - 1 Fulham Hugo Rodallega finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close range. Wigan 0-1 Fulham.

30:53

The ball is swung over by Dimitar Berbatov,

30:24

Jordi Gomez is caught offside. Free kick taken by Mark Schwarzer.

29:15

Foul by Ben Watson on Dimitar Berbatov, free kick awarded. Steve Sidwell takes the free kick.

25:10

Jean Beausejour delivers the ball, James McCarthy takes a shot. Maynor Figueroa sends in a cross, Close range headed effort by Emmerson Boyce misses to the right of the goal. Gary Caldwell gets a block in.

27:46

Jordi Gomez takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.

27:21

Corner taken by Damien Duff from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by James McCarthy.

27:07

Damien Duff sends in a cross, blocked by James McCarthy.

26:41

Unfair challenge on Hugo Rodallega by Gary Caldwell results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Chris Baird.

25:10

The ball is crossed by Jean Beausejour, James McCarthy takes a shot. The ball is delivered by Maynor Figueroa, Close range header by Emmerson Boyce misses to the right of the goal.

24:57

Jean Beausejour delivers the ball.

24:01

Damien Duff takes a inswinging corner to the near post, save by Ali Al Habsi.

23:39

Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

19:30

Corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff, Chris Baird takes a shot. Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi. Corner taken by Damien Duff played to the near post, James McCarthy manages to make a clearance. Alex Kacaniklic takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

19:30

corner taken by Damien Duff, Chris Baird takes a shot. Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi. Damien Duff takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance made by James McCarthy. Alex Kacaniklic takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

19:03

The ball is crossed by Damien Duff, Ivan Ramis makes a clearance.

18:20

Centre by Dimitar Berbatov, Hugo Rodallega takes a shot. Save made by Ali Al Habsi.

12:44

Chris Baird gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jordi Gomez. Direct free kick taken by Ben Watson.

11:02

Sascha Riether challenges Jordi Gomez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Ben Watson has an effort direct from the free kick.

5:26

Corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff to the near post, Aaron Hughes takes a shot. Blocked by Maynor Figueroa. Inswinging corner taken by Damien Duff from the right by-line. Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Ali Al Habsi makes a save.

5:26

Damien Duff takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post, Aaron Hughes takes a shot. Blocked by Maynor Figueroa. Corner taken by Damien Duff from the right by-line. Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by Ali Al Habsi.

3:55

Jordi Gomez is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Brede Hangeland.

2:58

The ball is crossed by Jean Beausejour, save by Mark Schwarzer.

0:31

Arouna Kone takes a shot. Save made by Mark Schwarzer.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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