Newcastle 1-0 Wigan

Newcastle moved back into the top half of the Premier League as Shola Ameobi's close-range finish clinched a 1-0 win at Wigan.

Ameobi, in the Magpies side as a replacement for injured top-scorer Andy Carroll, pounced in the 19th minute when Ali Al Habsi blocked Joey Barton's shot and Peter Lovenkrands's follow-up hit the post.

Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor also both struck the woodwork for the visitors, while Gary Caldwell saw his header come back off the bar for the Latics.

It was a welcome start to 2011 for Alan Pardew as his side bounced back from two straight defeats and moved up to 10th place.

For Wigan, who are just a point and a place above the relegation, the situation is more concerning.

Newcastle created the first goalscoring opportunity after just two minutes as Danny Simpson swung a cross into the box from the right.

Ameobi was allowed the space to meet it but the striker was unable to find the target, heading the ball back across the face of goal.

Three minutes later Wigan went close themselves as a failed clearance from Ben Watson's free-kick fell to Tom Cleverley, whose curling shot drew a smart save out of Steve Harper. Antolin Alcaraz headed the resulting corner straight at the Magpies goalkeeper.

Cleverley was presented with another chance on the quarter-hour mark after receiving a neat pass from Mohamed Diame, but the on-loan Manchester United youngster volleyed over the bar.

It was encouraging stuff from the hosts, but within moments, they were behind after a defensive error by Steven Gohouri.

Having dispossessed the Ivorian, Barton struck an effort which Al Habsi managed to parry, but Lovenkrands hit the loose ball against a post and Ameobi was on hand to tuck away the rebound.

An unmarked Lovenkrands should have doubled his side's advantage in the 31st minute after Barton squared to him right in front of goal, but the Dane got the ball stuck under his feet and Watson rushed in to avert the danger.

At the other end Cleverley's deflected shot from the edge of the box earned Wigan a corner which was met by Caldwell. The Latics skipper saw his header bounce back off the bar and the ball came to Hugo Rodallega, who lifted his attempt over.

Newcastle were next to hit the woodwork soon after as Coloccini looped a header onto the top of the goalframe and then Al Habsi had to be alert in rushing out to halt Jonas Gutierrez's progress.

Lovenkrands nodded a good chance over from a cross by Barton, and the former Manchester City man sent a free-kick off-target just before the break.

Martinez substituted Hendry Thomas for James McArthur at half-time and Wigan made the early running after the re-start, Jordi Gomez advancing down the right side but sending his delivery into Harper's arms.

Rodallega tried his luck twice in quick succession only to shoot wide of the mark each time.

Mauro Boselli was then introduced in place of Gomez to give Rodallega fresh support in attack, but it was Newcastle who nearly scored 10 minutes later as yet another header hit the crossbar.

This time it was Taylor denied after he got on the end of Barton's free-kick.

Lovenkrands and Ameobi came off for Wayne Routledge and Leon Best as the visitors looked to close out the game.

Boselli claimed his shot had been blocked by Taylor's hand in the box, but referee Howard Webb waved play on.

The Yorkshire official, who had been made an MBE in the Queen's New Years Honours List, then booked Barton for a rash challenge on McArthur.

Newcastle might have added a second goal towards the end as first Best poked wide after finding himself through one-on-one and then Jose Enrique blasted over, but come the final whistle, they had done enough.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew praised his team's efforts in overcoming Wigan without injured top-scorer Andy Carroll - before revealing the striker could be back in time for the derby clash with Sunderland later this month.

The result made for a welcome start to 2011 for Pardew as Newcastle bounced back from defeats against Manchester City and Tottenham and moved up to 10th place in Premier League.

"I'm very pleased with the discipline of the team," Pardew said. "Some of the things that have cost in the past, we eradicated to a degree.

"I asked them to play a high line, which they carried out, and they made it difficult for Wigan to play their natural game. We stifled them really well.

"We lost Andy Carroll but everyone pulled their socks up today and reacted in the right manner."

Pardew stressed that reports Carroll's thigh injury might keep him out for over a month were wide of the mark, suggesting the 21-year-old England international could come into contention for the Tyne-Wear derby on January 16 which follows Newcastle's league match against West Ham and FA Cup third round tie at Stevenage.

"We debated when he got this injury how serious it was with the medical staff and the answer is that we don't know," Pardew said. "He will definitely miss West Ham (on Wednesday) and I think he'll definitely miss Stevenage (next Saturday), but talking to the boy, he thinks he is ready for Sunderland already.

"I've got to make a call on that game as to whether he is putting himself at risk and we'll have to see, but it's touch-and-go."

Pardew wants to bolster his attack this month's transfer window has been linked with moves for Tottenham duo Robbie Keane and David Bentley. Asked about the pair, Pardew said: "I can't say we haven't spoken to Spurs because I was speaking to them last week and we talked about players. I think they want to do some movement and we want to do some movement.

"Whether we take a player from Spurs is a question I can't answer, but we are looking at the market and we want to bring an offensive player in. I have made no mistake about that with the board and with the press - I want an offensive player."

Asked if Spurs target David Beckham might be an option for Newcastle, Pardew said: "I don't know. I think he is a player that could play in this team and could add something to this squad, but whether he is available to us, I am not aware of yet."

If Wigan are to get out of their current predicament, just one point and one place above the relegation zone, keeping hold of a player like on-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley could be vital.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was watching as Cleverley enjoyed some good moments against Newcastle and Latics boss Roberto Martinez remains hopeful the youngster will see out the one-year deal he signed at the DW Stadium in August.

"I haven't spoken with Sir Alex,'' Martinez said. "At the moment nothing is changing. He is on loan until the end of the season. Obviously Man United have the option to call him back, as with any other loan, but at the moment nothing has been said.''