David Nugent penalty seals Foxes win

Wigan slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the King Power Stadium with
Liam Moore scoring his first goal for the Foxes and David Nugent scoring a late penalty.

Moore put City ahead when he headed home unmarked from a corner after only 15 minutes.

Jean Beausejour brought down Jamie Vardy on 81 minutes and Nugent stepped up to score from the spot despite a valiant effort by Wigan keeper Scott Carson.

Latics lined up with James Perch in midfield following the departure of James McCarthy, but they struggled to cope with Leicester’s physical presence throughout.

The Foxes won most of the major battles and Wigan’s defence always looked vulnerable to quick counter attacks.

Early on Nugent shot just wide while Vardy just failed to put Andy King clear with a neat pass on the edge of the penalty area.

But Leicester’s early pressure told when Moore was allowed to rise unchallenged at the far post to power a header past Carson.

Wigan responded when Ben Watson’s 25 yard free kick was narrowly wide but Leicester continued in the ascendancy with Anthony Knockaert and Nugent both missing good chances and Vardy having a shot saved by Carson.

Marc Antoine Fortune had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Webb when he looked to have been brought down in the box.

Just before half time Leon Barnett brought Kasper Schmeichel to his first real save with a crisp shot on the turn.

Early in the second half Dyer’s pace troubled Wigan and it needed a great tackle by Roger Espinoza on Vardy to prevent the City striker from converting a pass from Nugent.

Wigan manager Owen Coyle made some perplexing substitutions, withdrawing the hardworking Roger Espinoza, the creative Jordi Gomez and Wigan’s best player Shaun Maloney. New loan signing Nick Powell, James McClean and Callum McManaman were thrown into the action but the Foxes continued to command the centre of the park and Wigan only threatened sporadically.

Leicester should have scored a second goal in the 70th minute. Vardy set up Nugent in the penalty area, but the striker’s first-time volley flew wide.

But Wigan’s fate was sealed on 81 minutes when Vardy was tripped by Jean Beausejour and Nugent scored the spot-kick despite Carson getting a hand to the ball.

Latics had been second best all afternoon and it will be worrying for Coyle that his team could not cope with a strong and physical Leicester team.

There have been many changes at the club since Roberto Martinez’s departure and it is evident to most fans that the club is going through a transformation period. However it is important that the new manager quickly establishes a system of play and a starting line up that can cope with the physical demands of the Championship.

All Wigan fans will be looking forward to their Europa Cup adventure but they also know the Championship and the push for a return to the Premier league has to be Wigan’s top priority.