Callum McManaman celebrates his goal. Photo courtesy of Wigan Athletic

• Wigan Athletic made it two wins out of two in League One with a 2-1 victory against Northampton Town at the DW Stadium.
• Northampton started well and the hosts trailed to Sam Hoskins superbly executed free-kick on 24 minutes.
• Latics rallied in the second half when manager Shaun Maloney introduced substitute Callum McManaman on 55 minutes.
• The hosts drew level when Tom Pearce’s corner was headed in at the back post by Charlie Hughes.
• Latics secured a deserved victory when McManaman cut inside before unleashing a sublime strike into the top corner from 20 yards on 79 minutes.
• Latics move to minus two points after their two League wins and the Cobblers are yet win.

Maloney made just one change to the line-up that defeated Derby County on the opening day with Scott Smith coming in for his first Latics league start.

Latics started slowly and Northampton could have been ahead after only two minutes. Will Hondermarck’s strike from the left side of the box hit Sam Tickle’s near post. The rebound came to Patrick Brough, but his shot was well blocked and cleared by Charlie Hughes.

At the other end captain Callum Lang crossed for the arriving Charlie Wyke who was inches away from tapping the ball home.

Wyke then went down in the box following a push after good play from Stephen Humphrys but referee Ross Joyce was unmoved.

The visitors were ahead on 24 minutes when Mitch Pinnock went down on the edge of the box following a challenge from Matt Smith and Hoskins curled a superb free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Latics tried to get back on level terms and Humphrys cross was flicked towards goal by Scott Smith, but wide of the target.

Humphrys later tried his luck when he cut inside, but his shot drifted just wide. Matt Smith then had an effort just wide of Max Thompson’s far post.

Latics were enjoying the Lion’s share of possession but the visitors were dangerous on the counter through Tyreece Simpson.

The Huddersfield loanee found Hoskins, but Sean Clare did well to block before Hondermarck then fired an effort from 25 yards just wide.

Latics began the second half strongly and Maloney introduced McManaman for Smith on 55 minutes.

The hosts surged forward and Clare fed Humphrys and as he cut inside he fired a powerful effort which was pushed away by Thompson. The ball came back in from McManaman, but Lang’s header was just wide of the target.

Maloney withdrew centre back Liam Morrison and brought on striker Chris Sze in a more attacking formation and it quickly paid dividends as Latics were level on 72 minutes when Hughes headed in at the back post from Pearce’s corner.

The Cobblers almost restored their lead and Latics had a lucky escape on 79 minutes as Brough’s shot from close range was narrowly wide of the post.

But moments later it was FA Cup winner McManaman who produced a fairytale finish to give Latics the three points when he cut inside three defenders and curled a sublime shot into the far corner.

Charlie Wyke almost added a third when he hit the post following a cross but the game ended 2-1 as Latics sealed back-to-back League victories and reduced the points deficit to minus two.

Overview

Despite a rocky opening period when Latics looked vulnerable against Northampton, it was a fairytale ending to the game as Maloney’s men came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1. With FA Cup winner McManaman returning to the club and producing a superb winning goal with his baby girl at her first game at the DW Stadium.

McManaman has had a rollercoaster career so far after the highs of winning the FA Cup with Latics. After time in Australia with Melbourne Victory he was released by Tranmere Rovers and spent six months out of the game, but he has now returned reinvigorated under Shaun Maloney’s guidance.

Everyone knows Callum is a fantastic talent and that he is capable of great things but he must now stay fit, push on and make this a very special season to remember.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Maloney said:

“There were a lot of positives – and I am so happy.

“They’ve turned up today, and for a very young group, they’ve shown they are ready to fight for them (the fans) and you could sense that something special is happening. Long may it continue! 

“It’s a huge effort from our fans. I appreciate them singing my name at the end. Whether we win, lose or draw, I will always clap them, and they are the motivation for me, the staff and the players.” 

The manager reserved special praise for the match-winner McManaman, who enjoyed a fantastic return to the DW Stadium by scoring the stunning winner.

“It’s an incredible day for him,” he smiled.

“It’s an incredible story with Callum, and every bit of praise he gets today, he deserves it. He’s earned the opportunity to play at this level, and he’s worked incredibly hard. I couldn’t be happier for Callum!”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of Whoscored.com