Wigan Athletic 0-3 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland returned to winning ways in style with a 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
Alex Neil’s side led after just one minute and 16 seconds at the DW Stadium, as Bailey Wright headed home in front of a 4,700-strong away end.
The Latics responded well to falling behind, but they spurned an excellent opening when James McClean scuffed wide at the back post.
Carl Winchester and Lynden Gooch worked tirelessly on the right flank and their endeavour was rewarded before the break, as Ross Stewart won and converted a penalty to make it 2-0.
The Lads went close to a knockout blow following the restart, but then found it late on as Stewart converted his second of the afternoon.
Neil made two changes to the starting XI, as Arbenit Xhemajli made his league debut three months after his senior comeback following a long-term knee injury.
Elliot Embleton also came into the side and replaced Jermain Defoe, as former Black Cats Max Power and McClean lined up for the Tics.
A dream start at the DW stadium saw Sunderland lead within two minutes, as Wright headed home a pinpoint Alex Pritchard delivery.
Wigan responded with a set piece of their own, but Power’s 25-yard effort was well-held by academy graduate Anthony Patterson.
The home side spurned an excellent chance to level with eight minutes played, as the game continued at a frantic pace and McClean scuffed wide at the back post.
Neil’s side remained relatively untroubled in the stages that followed and they struck again before the break, as Stewart slammed home a penalty on 38 minutes.
The Lads were inches away from a third following the restart, but Wright was unable to connect with Stewart’s drilled cross as it flashed across the face of goal.
Pritchard also bent a low effort just beyond the post, as the Black Cats went in search of a definitive third early in the second half.
Callum Lang threatened at the other end after latching on to Will Keane’s through ball, but Patterson was equal to it and the stopper denied the winger one-on-one.
Although the home side refused to go away, there was no way back for Leam Richardson’s Latics as Stewart wrapped it up and Sunderland took home the three points.
Wigan Athletic: Amos, Darikwa, Whatmough, Tilt, McClean, Naylor, Power, Lang, Keane, Edwards (Shinnie 69), Magennis (Humphrys 60).
Subs not used: Jones, Watts, Bennett, Rea, Massey.
Sunderland AFC: Patterson, Winchester, Wright, Xhemajli, Cirkin, Matete, Evans, Gooch, Pritchard (Neil 81), Embleton (Clarke 78), Stewart.
Subs not used: Hoffmann, Dajaku, Defoe, Hume, Roberts.