An Early Report of Tonight's Game.

Gael and Demba make it a happy December.

Newcastle 3 Wigan Athletic 0

After a disastrous November, it was a happy Monday on Tyneside after Demba Ba's double and Gael Bigirimana's first goal gave United a welcome win over Wigan.

A crucial decision finally went in our favour as Papiss Cisse was sent tumbling in the box by Maynor Figueroa and was red-carded before Ba tucked away the penalty after just 13 minutes.

And eight minutes later it was pretty much game over when Davide Santon's shot was pushed out by Ali Al Habsi to Ba who tucked in the rebound to take his Premier League tally into double figures.

Bigirimana came on at the break for Cheick Tiote, who was walking a disciplinary tightrope, effectively one tackle away from a suspension and made his mark with just under 20 minutes remaining with a fantastic first strike for the club.

Santon and Ba both limped from the field, as we finished the game with ten men and news is awaited on whether our injury list has two new additions, although Alan Pardew later suggested Ba's removal was precautionary.

United's lowest crowd of the season - 43,858 - saw Pardew's side get off to a lively start with Tiote going close with a long range effort after just 30 seconds.

The visitors also started well and forced two early corners before some fabulous first-time football sent Cisse away only to be halted by Figueroa's barge in the box.

Thankfully referee Mike Jones pointed to the spot and dismissed the Athletic defender and despite a worryingly short run-up, Ba dispatched a low kick beyond Al Habsi who had guessed correctly.

Ba's second followed a great run and shot by Santon which Al Habsi could only parry to our leading striker who made no mistake from close range and the relief around the ground was tangible.

In midfield, Vurnon Anita had one of his best games for the club and Sylvain Marveaux made some mazy runs that almost saw the lead extended but it was their fellow young team mate Bigirimana who sealed the points in spectacular fashion.

He cut inside from the right and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Leazes End goal to deflate a spirited second half performance from Athletic.

Sammy Ameobi replaced Jonas Gutierrez and with Shane Ferguson already on for Santon there was no-one left to replace Ba once he signalled to the bench that he couldn't continue.

He had stretched to play in Cisse who unbelievably strayed offside when the two were clean through on goal but with less than ten minutes remaining the win was already assured.

The victory did nothing for our league position - remaining 14th in the table - but the five point gap to the relegation zone now looks a lot less precarious but a tough set of fixtures still lies ahead.

The team that takes to the field in France on Thursday is likely to reflect our priority for Premier League points but Shola Ameobi's return to the bench tonight will come as a welcome relief for Pardew.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon (Ferguson 49), Tiote (Bigirimana 46), Anita, Marveaux, Gutierrez (Sa.Ameobi 75), Ba, Cisse.
Subs n/u: Harper, Sh.Ameobi, Ranger, Tavernier.

Booked: Sa.Ameobi.

Goals: Ba 13pen, 21, Bigirimana 71.

Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam, Boyce, Caldwell (Lopez 46), Figueroa, Gomez (McArthur 23), Jones, McCarthy, Beausejour, Di Santo (McManaman 83), Kone.
Subs n/u: Pollitt, Boselli, Fyvie, Golobart.

Sent off: Figueroa (12 - professional foul)

Bookings: Caldwell, Beausejour, Di Santo.

Crowd: 43,858. Lowest of the season and smallest since 42,684 turned up for the Fulham game near the start of last season.

A pretty good early report of the game from NUFC.com