Martinez revels in `phenomenal' achievement

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hailed his side's great escape from relegation, declaring after the Latics' 1-0 win at Stoke: "It's like winning a trophy."

Jubilant Martinez watched Hugo Rodallega nod a 59th-minute winner to secure top-flight survival for a seventh successive season after a dramatic afternoon in the drop zone.

Martinez said: "It's like winning a trophy - that's the way I feel. I'm extremely proud of this group of players and their achievement is phenomenal.

"We haven't chosen the easy route and it's a great feeling because this squad has been written off so many times in this campaign.

"We knew we had the talent but in the last two games we had to show more than that. We were 2-0 down against West Ham and we needed a reaction and people with real responsibility and bravery."

Eurosport