LYING KING ... Shaun Maloney celebrates after his goal sank Man United
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SHAUN MALONEY blew the title race wide open as Wigan stunned Manchester United. The Latics star crashed home a brilliant second-half effort to put United’s championship party on ice.
The Red Devils started the night EIGHT points clear of deadly rivals City.
But this shock defeat — and City’s thumping win over West Brom — means the gap has been slashed to five points.
United have been cruising towards the title for weeks.
Yet that counted for nothing and the champions were lucky not to be losing at the break.
Victor Moses had the DW Stadium on its feet when he had the ball in the back of the net after 30 minutes. The Nigeria ace powered home Maloney’s corner from six yards — only to see Phil Dowd chalk the goal off.
Ref Down had initially given the goal.
But he then ruled it out after linesman Dave Richardson flagged, ruling that Gary Caldwell had fouled David De Gea. That left Latics boss Roberto Martinez fuming.
But his side regrouped after the break and grabbed the lead on 50 minutes.
Jean Beausejour played a return pass to Maloney and the Scot darted past Rooney before thundering into the top corner. Incredibly, it was Wigan’s first EVER goal in Martinez’s six games as boss against United.
The visitors were screaming for a penalty when Maynor Figueroa appeared to handle Phil Jones’ cross.
Dowd, though, waved away their claims — and, even with five minutes of added time, Wigan held firm.
