Wigan boss Martinez: Red card decision changed the game

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez was frustrated with the decision to send off Maynor Figueroa early in his side's 3-0 defeat at Newcastle.

The Latics defender was shown a red card for a shove on Papiss Cisse in the box which led to the home side's opening goal from the penalty spot.

"I think a penalty and a red card is too much punishment," said the Spaniard. "I thought it was harsh.

"It's a big decision and you need to be certain about a decision like that."

Figueroa will now miss Saturday's clash with bottom side Queens Park Rangers as will centre-half Gary Caldwell, who is suspended after a picking up a yellow card.

Honduran Figueroa was the last man in defence for Wigan as Magpies striker Cisse burst into the box. Figueroa moved across to block off the Senegalese and referee Mike Jones awarded a penalty, showing the Latics defender a straight red card.

On the incident that led to the sending off, Martinez said: "The ball was between the two players, Figueroa is entitled to challenge for that ball and I thought it was shoulder-to-shoulder.

"It was a fair race and both players challenged for the ball. You expect the defender to be strong and the striker to go down easily."

Demba Ba drilled home the penalty and went on to get another before Gael Bigirimana completed the victory with a superb curling shot.

Martinez was pleased with the response of his players, who caused Newcastle plenty of problems despite playing with 10 men for nearly 80 minutes.

"It became a very, very difficult game in 10 minutes, giving up a two-goal cushion and a man down," he said.

"But you will get adversity in football and I'm proud of our reaction in the second half, we never gave up or felt sorry for ourselves."

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Source: BBC