Tom Pearce scored a superb free-kick

• Wigan Athletic emphatically defeated Fleetwood Town 3-0 at the DW Stadium.
• Latics were ahead after only four minutes as Tom Pearce’s pass found Jordan Jones in the clear and the winger fired past Jay Lynch.
• It was 2-0 on 31 minutes when Stephen Humphrys worked a short corner and crossed for Sean Clare to bundle the ball home via goalkeeper Lynch.
• In first half stoppage time Fleetwood’s Joshua Earl picked up a second booking for diving in the box, reducing his side to 10 men.
• Latics’ Pearce completed the scoring with a superb free-kick which was very similar to his curled near post strike against Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy.
• Latics move up four places to 14th place and Fleetwood remain in 21st place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made three changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient, with Kell Watts, Liam Shaw and Callum McManaman being replaced by Pearce, Scott Smith and Martial Godo.

Latics were quick out of the blocks, with Godo winning a corner within the opening minute as they applied early pressure to the Fleetwood backline.

They were ahead in the fourth minute with Jones on target for his second goal of the season.

The winger ran onto Pearce’s excellent pass behind the Town defence before slotting the ball past Lynch.

Latics nearly added a second goal in the ninth minute. Humphrys burst into the Fleetwood penalty area but saw his powerful strike deflected away from goal.

After the initial Latics pressure, the visitors rallied and probably should’ve equalised in the 14th minute. A deep free kick to the far post found Ben Heneghan, but his header went narrowly wide of Sam Tickle’s near post.

In the 19th minute Heneghan drew a save from Tickle, with the Latics keeper having to palm his effort over the crossbar following a succession of Fleetwood corners.

The hosts had taken their foot off the pedal and the visitors were now threatening to equalise. 

Tickle had to palm away Ryan Broom’s curling effort after the visitors had won the ball off of the Latics backline on the edge of the area.

Heneghan might’ve been dismissed in the 25th minute as he brought down Callum Lang as the last defender. The Fleetwood captain was lucky to only be shown a yellow card for his late challenge as Lang looked to be through on goal.

Just after the half hour mark Latics doubled their lead.

A short corner was played to Humphrys, who made his way into the penalty area before firing a low cross into the six-yard box, with Clare sliding in to score via the Fleetwood keeper Lynch.

The hosts were now in confident mood and they looked to go further ahead in the 39th minute.

A speedy counter-attack saw Humphrys, Godo and Lang all involved before Lang played Jones through on goal, with the winger drawing a superb save from Lynch diving low to his right.

In first half stoppage time the visitors were reduced to ten-men when Earl was dismissed after being shown a second yellow card for diving in the box.

2-0 to Latics at half-time.

Lang nearly added a third in the 57th minute after excellent work from Godo down the right-hand side. The winger’s cross found Lang free in the penalty area, but Lang’s header went wide of Lynch’s far post.  

However, Latics did add a third goal in the 61st minute through Pearce’s superb curled free kick which was reminiscent of his free-kick against Fleetwood in the EFL Trophy.

In the 67th minute Chris Sze, Josh Magennis and Callum McManaman replaced Lang, Humphrys and Jones.

In the 78th minute Josh Stones and Liam Shaw replaced Godo and Clare. 

The visitors tried to get a consolation goal but Latics held firm in the remaining minutes. Maloney’s men are now unbeaten in six games and are gradually moving into mid-table.

Overview

This was a much improved team performance after the disappointing draw at Leyton Orient on Saturday. Latics were much sharper going forward and this time they got the early goal that they had craved at Orient with Jones firing home after only four minutes.

Man of the match Godo had an outstanding game and was a constant thorn in the visitors side. Twisting and turning the Fleetwood defence and creating opportunities for his colleagues. Lang was also much improved on recent displays and could with a bit more luck have got on the scoresheet. 

Latics looked fairly solid defensively although it’s fair to say the opposition are not the best they will face this season. Omar Rekik had one of his best games and Charlie Hughes was excellent as usual.

Tom Pearce also had one of his better games and scored another superb free-kick. He now needs to be more consistent and produce good performances week in, week out.

Positive signs for Maloney’s men, but it is important that they keep the momentum going as they now face a potential banana skin when they travel to York City in the FA Cup on Friday night.

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Maloney was pleased with his side’s free-flowing attacking display. 

“It was good especially in the first half. The second half was a different contest, with them down to 10 men, he said.

“Some of the attacking play was very good. In that final third, when you have [Stephen] Humphrys, [Martial] Godo and [Jordan] Jones we’re a big threat. I thought Callum Lang was excellent as well.”

“It was his movement I was most pleased with. When a team high presses us you have to attack the space in behind. Jordan Jones was unplayable at times tonight. He was very, very good.”

Maloney was also pleased with the defensive performance of his team after a clean sheet and also paid credit to Tom Pearce after his goal.

“What also pleased me was the back four today. Even in the last seconds, we had Charlie Hughes diving to put his body on the line to keep a clean sheet.

“[Tom] Pearce’s set plays are very good. We’re continuing to work with Tom, he’s really improved. He’s working really hard. Tom was at his best today and my challenge to him is to do it everyday. I’m pleased for Tom, he keeps his head down and works hard. He got his rewards tonight.”

The Gaffer concluded by admitting he felt the mentality was spot on today before shedding some injury news ahead of Latics Emirates FA Cup tie against York City on Friday.

“It was pretty controlled. If the scoreline was different we may have been more aggressive. Today it felt more controlled. I was really happy with the boys that came on. It was a good night.

“We try to (keep winning at home). I loved the mentality out of possession. The talent we have going forward, even some of the player’s we’ve got injured at the moment.

I know they’re talented. I think the fans are enjoying watching them right now.

“On Friday we’ve got a big test. I will give everyone until the last moment. I don’t think Charlie Wyke will be ready for Friday [hip]. James Balagizi will be more like weeks [hamstring]. Liam Morrison won’t be available after his injury with Scotland.”

Player ratings

Player ratings courtesy of Whoscored.com

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