Wigan 0-2 Fulham: Sunday Mirror match report

This game was never going to be a goal fest but Clint Dempsey got the goal that mattered and etched his name into the Premier League history books in the process.

The United States striker is Fulham’s very own ­Captain America, and his ability to score crucial goals was never more clearly illustrated than at the DW Stadium ­yesterday.

Brian McBride had held the record as the leading American scorer in the league with 36 goals but Dempsey’s simple goal ­yesterday made him a joint-record holder.

Twelve previous meetings between these two sides had yielded just 18 goals and these struggling teams were not going to change their spots overnight.

A delightful breakaway goal from Moussa Dembele applied a gloss finish to confirm the Cottagers’ first win on this ground since 1992 and only their second of the ­campaign.

But what now for winless Wigan. It’s now seven games since they tasted the thrill of victory and they will hope that Hugo Rodallega, who is yet to score this season, quickly ­discovers his form.

They started positively, but it soon became evident they had plenty of bark but very little bite.

Fulham broke the deadlock against the run of play just ­before the interval. A ­pinpoint pass from Murphy deep in his own half ­released Zamora down the left, and his squared pass ­allowed Dempsey to finish ­clinically.

Meanwhile, ­Victor Moses will live up to his name if he is able to lead a biblical size recovery and lead Wigan to the Promised Land of ­safety. He was superb all afternoon and it was clear to see why Wigan are trying to secure his long-term future with a new contract.

In tandem with Emerson Boyce down the right, they carried the fight to Fulham and continued to go in search of a point after the ­interval. Moses’ cracking shot from 25 yards was spat back by the angle of post and crossbar ­before Maynard Figueroa hit a swerving shot that just grazed the post.

But Dembele made the game safe on 86 minutes as he charged at the Wigan defence before ­opening up his body to score with a delightful side-foot finish.

Fulham boss Martin Jol said: “They [Wigan] probably learnt the same lesson that we have learnt — that if you don’t score, you don’t get the points.

“I can remember the ­situation was the same as we had last week, they could have scored and on the break we scored our goal.”

Wigan have now lost seven games in succession and boss Roberto Martinez moaned: “We have no momentum and we are getting heavily ­punished for any small error or misjudgment.

“It’s not a moment to feel sorry for yourself.”

VERDICT: On a day that will have delighted Martin Jol, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will be feeling the pressure even more as his side remain at the foot of the table.

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THE BIG ISSUE: Are inconsistent Fulham in danger of being dragged into a relegation fight?

Fulham's attacking triumvirate of Bobby Zamora, Johnson and Moussa Dembele will be the reason they are able to avoid getting into the relegation mire. The teams that usually get tangled in the vines of relegation don't possess players of that striking quality.

In addition to that, they have a playmaker in their team like Danny Murphy, who despite his veteran status has lost none of his ability to spot a pass.

Allied to the industry and Steve Sidwell and Clint Dempsey, Fulham have enough to finish in mid-table mediocrity. Martin Jol is convinced record signing Bryan Ruiz has the tools to be a success in this league now that has acclimatised.

When all these things are totted up, it's hard to see Fulham in a dogfight. T0hey have better quality than many of the other strugglers.