Brentford defend a Latics corner

Brentford moved to second place in the Championship table with a convincing victory against Wigan Athletic at Griffin Park.

The Bees were buzzing from the kick off and Romaine Sawyers forced a very good low save from Christian Walton in the opening minute. 

Latics struggled to cope with the hosts pace and power throughout the first half and it was no surprise when they went ahead through Neil Maupay on 24 minutes.

Latics responded when Nick Powell forced a finger tip save from Daniel Bentley and James Vaughan fired into the side netting but Brentford should’ve been more than one ahead at the interval as they created a hatful of chances.

The visitors’ hopes of getting something from the game were extinguished on 58 minutes when captain Sam Morsy was shown a straight red after a clash of heads with Brentford’s Yoann Barbet.

Five minutes later Maupay added his second after Latics failed to clear a corner and the three points were effectively sealed.

Despite waves of Brentford attacks Latics on the whole defended very well with Cedric Kipre and Chey Dunkley impressing and keeper Walton making some outstanding saves. 

But Latics couldn’t get a foothold in midfield and the forwards were left chasing shadows for much of the game.

The Bees moved the ball quickly, passed slickly and attacked in numbers.

Latics had been outgunned by a team at the peak of their form and many teams will suffer a similar fate this season at Griffin Park.

Latics will quickly want to bounce back to winning ways with home games against Hull City and Bristol City upcoming.

Paul Cook is likely to rethink his starting line up and utilise more of his squad as they face three games in seven days. I expect Will Grigg and Michael Jacobs to return to the starting line up as the manager looks to reinvigorate his charges.