Will Grigg opened the scoring for Latics

Wigan cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over local rivals Blackburn at the DW Stadium.

Former Wigan manager Owen Coyle endured a torrid afternoon as his Rovers team were thoroughly outplayed by the home team and could easily have lost more heavily.

Latics went ahead on 14 minutes when the prolific Will Grigg headed home Max Power’s mis-hit shot.

They added to their lead on 33 minutes when new signing Nick Powell superbly curled his 25 yard free-kick into the net at the near post.

Latics completed the scoring on 63 minutes when Max Power’s cross was bundled into his own net by defender Shane Duffy.

Gary Caldwell gave full home debuts to new signings Adam Bogdan, Dan Burn, Alex Gilbey and academy graduate Luke Burke, and Nick Powell and Stephen Warnock made their “second” home debuts, since joining the club permanently. Jake Buxton was unavailable due to suspension.

Latics started the game on the front foot and immediately pressed Rovers back into their own half with Yanic Wildschut making his trademark penetrative runs forward.

Powell, Gilbey and Wildschut were linking up well with some very crisp passing.

Gilbey nearly got on the score sheet on three minutes when he fired just wide of target after good work from Wildschut.

Latics were bossing possession and creating chances and they went ahead on 14 minutes through the free-scoring Will Grigg.

Max Power’s mis-hit shot found Grigg ten yards out and the striker managed to direct his header over Steele and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Latics nearly made it 2-0 on 26 minutes when Powell’s powerful shot was pushed into the path of Wildschut who crashed his effort against the crossbar.

Wigan were in complete control now and Grigg almost made it three just before the interval, when his low shot from a tight angle went just wide of the far post.

The Blackburn players must have been given some strong words by Coyle at half time as they started the second half in improved fashion.

Rovers almost pulled a goal back ten minutes into the second half, when Jack Byrne’s effort from 25 yards hit the crossbar before going over.

Michael Jacobs replaced the injured Nick Powell on the hour mark and it was not long before Latics were back in command.

Max Power swung in a cross from the right hand side, which evaded Jacobs at the near post but was inadvertently turned into his own net by Shane Duffy.

Gary Caldwell made a couple of substitutions as Latics eased themselves towards the final whistle with Tim Chow replacing Luke Burke and Will Grigg replaced by Craig Davies.

Wigan had won their first home game of the season in some style and with plenty to spare.

It was certainly important for Latics to get off to a winning start at the DW Stadium but they are unlikely to have an easier Championship game this season.

Rovers were desperately poor, lacking organisation and creativity and on this form will struggle to survive in the Championship.

A more meaningful indicator of Latics’ current progress will be the stiffer test against Birmingham City on Tuesday night.