Callum McManaman’s superb strike sealed the victory for Wigan

Wigan produced a top quality performance to defeat play-off rivals Reading 3-0 at the DW Stadium.

In a one-sided encounter the Latics completely outplayed the Royals and thoroughly demonstrated their promotion credentials.

Latics consolidated their fifth spot in the table and moved six points ahead of Reading who slipped out of the play-off places.

A 30 yard strike on 30 minutes from Jordi Gomez gave Wigan a deserved lead before Martyn Waghorn added a second on 42 minutes.

Callum McManaman then sealed the victory on 51 minutes when he fired home via the underside of the cross-bar for 3-0.

Wigan produced some scintillating soccer particularly in the first half with Shaun Maloney, Roger Espinoza and Jordi Gomez outstanding.

McManaman was proving a threat and had a shot well saved by Reading keeper Alex McCarthy before both he and Espinoza had efforts into the side-netting. But it was Gomez who opened the scoring with a spectacular swerving strike from 30 yards.

James McArthur and then Gomez had shots saved by the Reading keeper, but Waghorn was in the right place to increase the lead after a great run and shot by McManaman.

Wigan could have been three or four ahead by half-time as the Royals had no answer to the creativity and work rate of the home team.

McCarthy made another excellent stop to keep out James Perch’s header from Gomez’s corner but McManaman made it three on 51 minutes when he fired home from 15 yards.

Reading rarely threatened and looked like a team who will struggle to make the play-offs on current form.

Manager Nigel Adkins introduced Hal Robson-Kanu for Daniel Williams, Nick Blackman for Jobi McAnuff and Adam Le Fondre for Garath McCleary but it made little difference as Latics continued to dominate possession and create chances.

McArthur might have scored but shot wide of the target when well placed, and Latics had several more opportunities to increase their lead but the final finish was not forthcoming.

On this form Wigan look very strong contenders for promotion via the play-offs, but the former Brentford manager Uwe Rosler will need to keep his players focussed on the critical matches ahead.