Newcastle get back on track with Wigan win

Demba Ba scored twice as Newcastle United FC ended a run of four straight Premier League losses by easing past ten-man Wigan Athletic FC 3-0 at St James' Park. 

Roberto Martínez's side had tasted defeat in five of their previous seven away fixtures this term and their hopes of improving that record looked bleak when Maynor Figueroa was sent off for upending Papiss Cissé in the penalty area 12 minutes in. Ba nonchalantly converted the ensuing spot kick for his tenth league goal of the season. 

Wigan's task became a mountainous one when Newcastle doubled their lead eight minutes later. Full-back Davide Santon drove in a venomous shot that goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi parried into the path of Ba, who tucked in the rebound. Wigan rarely threatened to upset the home side's rhythm after the interval and fell further behind when Gael Bigirimana took receipt of Sylvain Marveaux's pass and sumptuously curled the ball beyond Al-Habsi. 

Alan Pardew's side, who remain 14th in the Premier League, could clinch top spot in UEFA Europa League Group D with a win at FC Girondins de Bordeaux on Thursday.