Sunderland 2
Etuhu 42 Murphy 75
Wigan 0
Sunderland 2 Wigan 0 February 09 2008
Sunderland gave their Premier League survival campaign a major boost as they beat Wigan 2-0 to leave the Latics in the relegation mire.
The Black Cats nearly snatched the lead with three minutes on the clock when Roy O'Donovan headed against the Wigan post they but were then made to wait until three minutes before half-time to go in front.
Dean Whitehead's free-kick found Dickson Etuhu who sent his header back across Chris Kirkland for his first goal of the season.
Kevin Kilbane and Emile Heskey rattled the woodwork for the visitors early in the second half and Murphy made the Latics pay when he smashed in the Wearsiders' second.
Substitute Andy Reid's pass found Daryl Murphy who let fly a 25-yard drive which flew into Chris Kirkland's top corner.
With the win, Roy Keane's side climb to 14th in the Premier League table while Steve Bruce's team drop to 16th.