Premier League: Wigan leave Redknapp still searching for first win

WIGAN, United Kingdom (AFP) – QPR manager Harry Redknapp was left looking for his first win since he took over at the Premier League bottom side after a double by Ireland international James McCarthy gave Wigan a deserved 2-2 draw here on Saturday.

QPR remain rooted to the bottom despite coming from behind to lead 2-1 through goals by their Kiwi captain Ryan Nelsen and substitute Djibril Cisse but McCarthy’s second consigned them to their third successive draw since Redknapp replaced the sacked Mark Hughes.

The draw also saw QPR set a new unwanted Premier League record of 16 games without a win from the start of the season. The last top-flight team to suffer a 16-game winless start to a season was Sheffield United in 1990 in the old First Division.

It leaves QPR on just seven points, eight points adrift of fourth from bottom Wigan.

The hosts had started the brighter, David Jones being desperately unlucky not to open the scoring with a terrific freekick but set the record straight soon after as McCarthy rattled the ball home with an excellent volley.

The visitors, though, were level seven minutes later as Nelsen headed in at the back post with his first goal for the club he joined from Blackburn Rovers.

Nelsen, though, almost handed Wigan a second goal as his error let in McCarthy but former England goalkeeper Robert Green did well to deny the Irishman with his legs.

However, the hosts had the upperhand and pinned the London side back in their half, Green doing well again to deny Jordi Gomez from close range.