Huddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic behind closed doors

Latics continued their excellent pre-lockdown form with a comfortable 2-0 victory at a deserted John Smith’s Stadium.

Football behind closed doors is an eerie affair and it was the visitors who coped best in the strange surroundings.

The hosts enjoyed plenty of possession but it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score.

Latics went ahead on 26 minutes when Kieffer Moore’s deflected cross found Jamal Lowe who bundled the ball home at close range.

Latics goalkeeper David Marshall made an important save to deny a Juninho Bacuna free-kick before Latics doubled their lead at the start of the second half when Anthony Pilkington’s shot was deflected into the net by Lewis O’Brien.

The visitors seemed fitter than their opponents and could have added to their lead when substitutes Lee Evans and Michael Jacobs forced a good double save from Town keeper Jonas Lossl.

Latics move up to 17th in the Championship table, while the Terriers drop to 20th just one point and two places above the bottom three.

The visitors welcomed back Antonee Robinson from a heart scare and Kieran Dowell and Danny Fox from injury.

But they were without Leon Balogun, Gary Roberts, Gavin Massey, Alex Dobre and Dujon Sterling and Chey Dunkley who were all injured.

It was a scrappy opening period as neither side got the upper hand.

The first real opening came on 20 minutes when Dowell’s clever back heel set up Nathan Byrne down the right and his cross found Pilkington in a great position but the former Huddersfield midfielder fired straight at Lossl.

But Latics were ahead on 26 minutes following a flowing move. Pilkington picked the ball up in midfield and found Moore on the right hand side and the big striker’s cross was deflected off Harry Toffolo into the path of Lowe who chested the ball into the net.

Huddersfield rarely threatened, but when they did Scotland international David Marshall came to their rescue, producing a great one-handed reaction save to deny Bacuna’s in-swinging free kick.

Latics were in control at half time and they consolidated their lead early in the second half. Lowe crossed for Pilkington and the midfielder turned superbly in the box and his shot was deflected into the net by O’Brien.

Latics’ players celebrate

Lowe might have added to the lead moments later but his powerful drive blazed wide of the target from a good position.

The visitors just seemed fitter than their opponents and they had further chances when substitutes Lee Evans and Michael Jacobs forced a good double save from Lossl.

Captain Samy Morsy was in terrific form, bossing midfield and preventing Town from gaining a foothold in the game.

Marshall was called upon in added time when Harry Toffolo forced another excellent save but in truth this had been a surprisingly comfortable return to the Championship.

Latics had cruised home to a satisfying victory which eased their relegation worries.

Paul Cook’s team have now been on a remarkable run and are unbeaten in seven games with five consecutive clean sheets. It’s taken awhile for the team to click but they are now the form team in the Championship. Two more wins would secure their Championship status.

Latics Away Form – courtesy of Whoscored.com