Scharner saves Wigan's blushes

Wigan Athletic's Paul Scharner celebrates scoring against Everton during their English Premiership soccer match at the JJB Stadium, Wigan, England.

Paul Scharner saved Wigan's blushes with an equaliser in the 1-1 Premiership draw at home to Everton after the Latics had gone behind through an own goal.

Wigan's disastrous start came when David Thompson managed to put the ball into his own net in the ninth minute but Scharner made amends on the stroke of half-time.

Wigan manager Paul Jewell made sweeping changes to the understrength side which lost 1-0 to Manchester City.

Jewell recalled Mike Pollitt, Gary Teale, Stephane Henchoz, Jimmy Bullard and Jason Roberts to the starting line-up.

Captain Arjan de Zeeuw also came back after missing three games with an ankle problem while David Thompson got his place following absences through ineligibility.

Everton boss David Moyes however made three changes. He brought Richard Wright in between the posts because of an ankle injury to Nigel Martyn.

Tim Cahill replaced Simon Davies after serving a one-match ban, with Alan Stubbs also included after he was ineligible for the 1-1 FA Cup draw at home to Chelsea.

In the match which started quarter-of-an-hour late because of a motorway accident, there was an early scare for Wigan fans.

Inside the opening minute, Wigan keeper Michael Pollitt dropped a Kevin Kilbane cross between his legs, but was luckily able to retrieve the loose ball.

But then came the moment when Thompson scored the own goal to give the Toffees the lead.

A long goal-kick from Wright was taken by Cahill, and, after managing to work his way into a shooting position from the edge of the area, he let rip with a powerful shot which cannoned off Henchoz.

As Thompson challenged Leon Osman for the ball, it appeared as if he got a touch, steering it past a stranded Pollitt.

The home side started to gain confidence and their attacking moves looked more coherent as the half wore on and it came as no surprise when they equalized on the stroke of half-time.

Henchoz passed down the right flank to Pascal Chimbonda who headed on to Scharner who sidefooted the ball past Everton keeper Richard Wright for his second goal for the club.

And 10 minutes from time, Everton's Duncan Ferguson was dismissed for violent conduct. Wigan were also down to 10 men two minutes later when Jason Roberts was given his marching orders after a foul on David Weir.