Michael Jacobs

Latics moved to the top of League One with comfortable 3-0 victory against mid-table Southend United at the DW Stadium.

They went ahead after only eight minutes when Michael Jacobs deflected shot evaded the Shrimpers keeper Mark Oxley. It was a something of a surprise that Latics didn’t add to their lead in the first half after another dominant display.

Southend’s Jermaine McGlashan was sent off on the hour mark for a two-footed challenge on Callum Elder.

Nick Powell and substitute Ivan Toney added further goals late on to give the scoreline a more accurate representation of Latics’ dominance.

Wigan made two changes to the starting line up with Captain Sam Morsy returning after international duty with Eqypt and Michael Jacobs returning from injury.

The home team were on top from the kick off with Nathan Byrne quickly forcing Oxley to tip the ball over the crossbar.

It was not long before they were ahead with Jacobs’ shot taking a fortuitous deflection past the Southend keeper.

Nick Powell then blasted his volley from the edge of the box over the crossbar.

Byrne was then denied when he jinked past several defenders in the box but Oxley saved well with his feet.

Dru Yearwood wasted a good opportunity for the Shrimpers in a rare attack. Latics keeper Jamie Jones didn’t have a save to make throughout the half.

It continued to be one way traffic at the start of the second half as Latics created more chances. This time Jacobs drove into the box evading a couple of challenges before his angled low shot was well saved by Oxley.

Chey Dunkley then went close with a header from Max Power’s corner, and Jacobs forced another good save from the Shrimpers keeper.

On the hour mark Jermaine McGlashan made a reckless two-footed challenge on Callum Elder and referee John Busby had no hesitation in issuing a red card.

Despite having the extra man advantage Latics became a little complacent and with the match still in the balance Southend started to pose more of a threat.

Nick Powell was dropping too deep and Latics weren’t creating as many opportunities. However, with the introduction of Gary Roberts for the tiring Jacobs on 78 minutes they upped their game.

As Southend pushed men forward for an equaliser Latics counter- attacked and Roberts’ through ball found Powell in the clear and he showed great composure by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty net.

Roberts was then involved the third goal when his low cross from the left found an unmarked Ivan Toney who finished with ease from six yards out.

Latics have now won seven of their last eight games and have moved to the top of the table on goal difference. They have confirmed their standing as League One title favourites and who would bet against them on current form.