YOHAN Cabaye’s late strike was enough to see off Wigan Athletic and ensure Newcastle United’s unbeaten start to the season remained intact.

YOHAN Cabaye’s late strike was enough to see off Wigan Athletic and ensure Newcastle United’s unbeaten start to the season remained intact.

 

The Frenchman produced a wonderful finish in the 81st minute – his first goal for the club since signing from Lille in the summer – to earn the Magpies three points at St James’ Park.

 

The result means Alan Pardew’s side remain fourth in the Premier League table with a five point gap now between them and fifth placed Liverpool.

 

With the Magpies looking to extend their unbeaten start to nine games, Pardew named an unchanged starting-line-up for the fifth successive game.

 

After coming from behind against Tottenham last week to earn a draw, Pardew stressed the importance that his side must not go behind to Wigan early on in his programme notes.

 

But that was almost the case, with Tim Krul coming to the Magpies’ rescue with a fine save to deny Victor Moses’ stinging shot in the 6th minute.

 

As was the case last week, it was the visitors who started the brighter and they had another chance to take the lead when Hugo Rodellega’s low shot went just wide.

 

The Magpies did come back though, Gutierrez found space on the left and chipped in a delightful cross to Best, but the striker’s downward header was saved by Ali Al Habsi.

 

With his side struggling to break Wigan down, Pardew introduced Ben Arfa at half time, the Frenchman replacing Best, who had been booked minutes before the interval for a challenge on Maynor Figueroa.

 

It was a much better start to the second half from the home side, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 50th minute.

 

Ryan Taylor’s curling cross from the left found Ba in the area but again, the header was weak and Al Habsi collected the ball with ease.

 

Cabaye and Ben Arfa then saw efforts well blocked by Steve Caldwell and Antolin Alcaraz with the growing sense that it simply wasn’t going to be the Magpies’ day.

 

With time running out, Pardew introduced Shola Ameobi and Sylvain Marveaux and within minutes the home side were ahead.

 

After collecting the ball out of the left, Ryan Taylor swung the ball towards Marveaux at the back post. Some lovely skill saw the Frenchman control the ball before laying off to Cabaye, who hit a superb first-time shot, which curled into the top corner.

 

There was a late scare for Pardew when Mohamed Diame’s header went inches wide, but the Magpies’ resilience – along with Cabaye’s stunning strike – was enough to ensure the three points.