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Latics boss Bruce hails Kirkland heroics after Chelsea draw

15/04/2008

Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has praised the man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Chris Kirkland for earning a point against Chelsea.

The Latics received a boost in their fight for survival with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, which simultaneously undermined the Blues' title ambitions as they dropped further behind leaders Manchester United.

But Bruce was full of admiration for his players - and in particular England hopeful Kirkland - who now have a six-point cushion over the bottom three.

"This is a great result because for a spell Chelsea looked like they might blow us away," Bruce said afterwards.

"But we stuck at it and Chris has made some brilliant saves and we got our reward in the end.

"He is an outstanding goalkeeper and if he stays fit there are not many much better than him."

After his team picked up only their eighth point away from home all season, Bruce said he believes the team's current haul in the league standings could be enough for safety this term.

If Wigan survive in the Premier League it would be the third successive season in the top flight for a team who were in the fourth tier of English football as recently as 1997 - described by Bruce as "a wonderful achievement".

"We have now got 35 points and that has usually been enough over the last five years," Bruce said.

"We are looking like a decent team at the minute."