Match Summary

Ferguson shoves Chimbonda: before he pounches Scharner: two red card offences, one red card...

Wigan striker Jason Roberts and Everton's Duncan Ferguson were both sent off late on in a stormy end to an entertaining draw. David Thompson's own goal gave Everton an early lead, only for Paul Scharner to equalise from close range in the dying seconds of the first-half.

Substitute Duncan Ferguson was only on the pitch eight minutes before he saw red for flooring Wigan goalscorer Scharner.  Roberts followed three minutes later for elbowing Everton's David Weir.  It was Ferguson's eighth sending off in the Premiership, equalling the worst red card count alongside former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

Wigan boss Paul Jewell made seven changes from the side that lost at Manchester City in the FA Cup, while Everton were without injured striker James Beattie and keeper Nigel Martyn, who pulled out with an ankle injury.

Martyn's replacement Richard Wright was little more than a spectator early on, as Everton dominated the opening exchanges.  It was no surprise when they took the lead after nine minutes, Wigan's Thompson getting the final touch under pressure from Leon Osman after Stephane Henchoz deflected Tim Cahill's shot.

Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt then saved James McFadden's near post shot before Cahill had a goal ruled out for offside.  Scharner posted the warning signals for Everton with a header that flew narrowly over before he grabbed Wigan's equaliser in the closing seconds of the first-half.  Pascal Chimbonda headed Henchoz's ball into his path, and he steered a finish past Wright.

Wigan almost turned the game on its head completely just seconds after the break when Wright had to dive bravely into a desperate six-yard scramble to deny Roberts.

Mikel Arteta then tested Pollitt with a low drive as an entertaining encounter switched to the other end.

Roberts had the ball in the net after 69 minutes, but the goal was correctly ruled out for a push on Alan Stubbs.

Cahill was Everton's most influential performer, and he was narrowly off target from 20 yards with Pollitt beaten.

Wigan were in the ascendancy - and Everton introduced Ferguson for Arteta after 72 minutes in a bid to stem the tide.

But the controversial Scot only lasted eight minutes before he was sent off for a clash with Scharner, which ended with the Wigan defender on the floor.

But Wigan's numerical advantage was brief, with Roberts being sent off three minutes later for elbowing Weir as they challenged for a high ball.

BBC Sport

Matchday Stats

This will be just the 3rd meeting between Everton and Wigan Athletic in all competitions and the 2nd League match between the sides.  This will also be the first meeting at Wigan between the sides.
Everton's full record against Wigan Athletic is:

This will be the first time Everton have faced Wigan Athletic in Wigan, and the JJB stadium will be the 142nd different stadium in which Everton have played a first-class match, and the 45th stadium in which Everton have played a Premier League match.
The last meeting between the clubs was earlier this season in the first League encounter between the sides, with Wigan leaving Goodison Park with a 1-0 victory.
Everton's record for 31 January is:

This is the first time the clubs have met on this day.  Everton’s last match on this day was in 2004 with a 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.  In fact, Everton seem destined to draw their away matches on this day as four of their six away matches on 31 January have ended in draws – the other two matches saw one win and one defeat.
Looking back over this season so far, Everton have managed to score in the last 5 consecutive League games scoring 7 goals in the process.  The first 18 games of the season saw Everton score just nine goals!
Harry Hardy was born on this day in 1895 in Stockport.  Signed from Stockport County in 1925, Harry made 45 appearances for the club before he was sold to Bury in 1927.

George Jackson was also born on this day in 1911 in Liverpool.  After signing on from being an apprentice in 1934, George made 79 appearances before retiring from the game in 1947, with the majority of his career being curtailed by World War II.

Gerry Humphreys was also born on this day in 1946 in Llandudno.  Gerry also signed professional forms in 1965 and made just 14 appearances, scoring 2 goals in the process, before moving on to Crystal Palace in 1969.

Joseph Yobo played and scored in Nigeria’s 4-0 victory over South Africa in the African Nations Cup Finals Group D match on this day in 2004.  Ironically, he will probably be involved in another Group D Finals match earlier today, against Senegal.

Milestones that can be reached this game:

• If he starts, Nigel Martyn will be making his 100th start for Everton in all competitions.

Steve Flanagan

Lyndon Lloyd

^* Unfortunately, we cannot control other sites' content policies and therefore cannot guarantee that links to external reports will remain active.