Ba bags double for Newcastle

Newcastle United's Demba Ba London - Arabstoday Newcastle striker Demba Ba scored twice as the Magpies ended a run of four consecutive Premier League defeats with victory over 10-man Wigan on Monday night. Burundi-born youngster Gael Bigirimana scored a stunning third goal in the 2nd half, as the hosts ran out comfortable winners. Wigan's Omani goalkeeper Ali al-Habsi was beaten from the spot after just 13 minutes. A neat move between Senegalese duo Ba and Papiss Cisse saw the latter break into the box. However, before he could get his shot away, the number nine was bundled off the ball by Maynor Figueroa and referee Mike Jones pointed to the penalty spot. Figueroa was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity. The resultant penalty was driven low and hard by Ba, past al-Habsi with the goalkeeper beaten even though he went the right way. Newcastle extended their advantage in the 21st minute when left-back Davide Santon went on a marauding run and unleashed a powerful shot. The swerve on the ball made it difficult for al-Habsi and he could only parry it out to the oncoming Ba, who slotted into the bottom left-hand corner. Wigan came out for the 2nd half on the front foot, looking to claw their way back into the game. Newcastle showed glimpses of the form that saw them finish 5th in the Premier League last season with midfielders Vurnon Anita and Sylvain Marveaux taking their first team chance. The Magpies finished off the game as a contest in the 71st minute, when substitute Gael Bigirimana showed quick feet on the edge of the box before rocketing a shot into the top right-hand corner of al-Habsi's goal. St James' Park erupted and boss Alan Pardew knew that his team had avoided the unwanted record of five consecutive Premier League defeats. After the game, Pardew said: "It was a massive victory. Four defeats in this city is not easy. We've had so many knocks with injuries game after game - and it was nice to get a break and it was a break." Wigan boss Roberto Martinez said the club would be appealing against Figueroa's red card. "It's difficult to see how a striker is going to score a goal if the ball is divided between two players," he explained. Newcastle are now 14th in the Premier League. They travel to Bordeaux on Thursday in the Europa League, before a trip to Fulham on Monday. Wigan drop down to 16th and host QPR on Saturday.