Sibierski shines again as Latics see off sorry Boro

ANTOINE SIBIERSKI was on target again as Wigan kick-started their Barclays Premier League campaign at the expense of Middlesbrough — giving manager Chris Hutchings a victory to savour.

Eyebrows were raised when Hutchings was promoted from assistant to succeed Paul Jewell as Latics boss in May, his previous tenure at Bradford having ended 12 games into the 2000-01 season after just one win.

But close-season recruit Sibierski struck in the 55th minute with a predatory effort tonight to claim his second goal in as many games.

Boro created little, and the only solace for manager Gareth Southgate was the sight of Mido in the directors’ box, the Egyptian striker close to finalising a £6.8million move from Tottenham.

Heskey met a deep free-kick from Bramble in the 21st minute, and his excellent header gave Denny Landzaat a shooting opportunity from 14 yards.

The Latics midfielder took a touch before striking a volley just wide of Mark Schwarzer’s left-hand post.

Shortly before the half-hour a dreadful pass from Julio Arca went straight to Landzaat but he dragged a low shot wide.

Wigan’s momentum continued to build after the break, and it came as no surprise to anyone when Sibierski made a breakthrough on 55 minutes.

Schwarzer failed to hold Valencia’s low shotand the Frenchman stabbed the ball home.

WIGAN: Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Granqvist, Kilbane, Valencia, Scharner, Landzaat, Koumas, Heskey, Sibierski (Aghahowa 66).

MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Davies, Riggott, Wheater, Taylor, Sanli (Johnson 71), Boateng, Arca, Downing, Aliadiere (Cattermole 87), Yakubu (Lee 65).

Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).