• Wigan Athletic produced a much improved attacking performance to defeat Peterborough United 3 -0 at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics pressed high from the kick off and they were in front on eleven minutes when loanee Dale Taylor headed home his first goal for the club from Luke Chambers cross.
• Posh threatened a response but Sam Tickle did superbly to deny Kwame Poku saving at point blank range. 
• Early in the second half Matt Smith produced a slide rule pass for Taylor to grab his second goal finishing clinically past the advancing Jed Steer.
• Substitute Callum McManaman topped off a great night for Latics with a superb curling finish into the top corner from the edge of the box on 80 minutes.
• Latics move up to 14th place and Peterborough drop to 16th place in the League One table.

Shaun Maloney made three changes to the starting lineup from the 0-0 draw with Exeter on Saturday. Michael Olakigbe, Calvin Ramsay and Baba Adeeko replacing James Carragher, Jensen Weir and Dion Rankine.

Latics started on the front foot and pressing high. The first goal came after only 11 minutes as Luke Chambers crossed for Taylor who headed home past Jed Steer. 

Posh immediately went on the attack and created a great opportunity. 

Tickle came to Latics rescue with a brilliant save to deny Poku from point blank range after Ricky-Jade Jones had set him up.

The visitors then struck the woodwork through Archie Collins as his cross to the back post came off the crossbar.

The visitors were desperate for an equaliser but Latics held firm. 

Malik Mothersille then had a big chance 10 minutes before the break, but he put Puku’s cross wide of Tickle’s right post.

Olakigbe then had an opportunity to increase Tics lead. He won the ball high up the field from Sam Curtis, but dragged his shot just wide of the target.

1-0 to Latics at half time.

Latics started the second half like they had started the first, pressing high and getting players forward. 

Latics made it 2-0 on 54 minutes as Matt Smith produced a slide rule pass for Taylor to grab his second goal finishing clinically past the advancing Posh keeper.

The visitors tried to get back into the game but Latics defence and Tickle were determined not to concede.

Jonny Smith made his return from injury on 55 minutes replacing Olakigbe. He was immediately into the action with a curling dipping shot tipped over by Steer.

Maloney made three substitutions on 68 minutes with McManaman, Scott Smith, and Jamie Carragher replacing Matt Smith, Ramsay and Silko Thomas.

Latics were still looking lively and one of their FA Cup winning stars came up with a wonder goal. McManaman picked the ball up on the left wing, cut inside and curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Simply sensational stuff.

Latics comfortably saw out the remaining minutes for an impressive victory against very good opposition.

Overview

This was a top quality performance from a forward thinking Wigan Athletic.

They pressed high and got more players into forward positions. The wingers took on their defenders and tried to get crosses into the box.

The finishing from Taylor and McManaman was top drawer. Taylor has been presented with very few chances since joining on-loan from Nottingham Forest but on the night he was clinical. McManaman has the ability to produce special goals and he produced another gem for his collection.

Once again Latics defending was exemplary. Kerr and Aimson are excellent defenders at this level and they successfully contained Peterborough’s high scoring attack. When he was needed Tickle was able to produce a couple of brilliant saves.

The change in approach by Maloney proved to be very successful. A high press, closing down and getting players forward had made a big difference from the previous games.

The question now is whether Latics can maintain that high press and attacking approach in future games.

Post match comments 

The win extended Latics’ unbeaten run to five games in League One, and Maloney was full of his praise for his young Tics.

“It was a big win,” he told the media.

“I knew this game would be open, and we’d have to really play under pressure, even at times when they pressed high.

“We had to be at our very best tonight and we were.

“They (Peterborough) are a really good side, and it’s a brilliant result for us. There were so many big things in the game. 

“Dale Taylor – even without his goals – was very good. He’s been quiet for four games but Sam Tickle produced a match-changing moment. 

“Callum (McManaman) is just so talented. He trains so hard and is technically as gifted as any player who has played for this club.

“It’s an incredible story of what he’s been through, and I don’t know what more to say. He’s one of our own, and definitely one of the best to pull on a Wigan shirt. 

“It’s going to be a long season – but I hope this result and run of fixtures since the international break is the start of something special for us. 

“We’re going to have to fight for it because there are a lot of good teams in this league.”

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