Victor Moses' first league goal proved the difference as Wigan saw off West Brom to climb out of the relegation zone.
Wideman fires Wigan out of the danger zone
Victor Moses' first Premier League goal proved the difference as Wigan Athletic saw off West Bromwich Albion to climb out of the relegation zone.
The Latics wideman came off the bench to sink the Baggies in the second-half in a match that saw neither side create many clear-cut chances.
Wigan marginally edged the first half but it was West Brom who carved out the better opportunities with Peter Odemwingie going closest for the visitors.
But Roberto Martinez's half-time switch paid dividends as Moses latched superbly onto Charles N'Zogbia's pass before side-footing past a helpless Scott Carson.
The victory - their first in six and only their second at the DW Stadium - lifts the Latics out of the bottom three into 16th while Albion remain in 11th after their winless run was stretched to four games.
Confidence
Wigan went into the match having scored only nine goals in 12 league games but with renewed confidence after drawing with Liverpool in midweek.
They almost made the breakthrough in the second minute following a deep cross from Ronnie Stam. He found Tom Cleverley in acres of space but the midfielder, on loan from Manchester United, saw his effort turned away on the line by Pablo Ibanez.
A minute later the visitors were pegged back again when striker Hugo Rodallega released N'Zogbia inside the area but he stumbled and the move broke down.
Wigan were forced to make a change in the 17th minute when defender Gary Caldwell limped off and was replaced by his brother Steven, who arrived in the summer after playing for Burnley last season.
West Brom stepped up the pace and Odemwingie raced to the byline in the 26th minute. He cut the ball back into the area but there was no-one on hand to take advantage and Antolin Alcaraz made the clearance.
Powerful
Odemwingie was beginning to find a lot of room and broke free - only to send his powerful shot narrowly wide of the post.
Back came Wigan and Alcaraz escaped his marker in the 35th minute when N'Zogbia floated in a corner.
Alcaraz, however, only succeeded in sending a free header over the bar from a good position.
West Brom responded and seven minutes later and Steven Reid delivered a long throw into the area. Paul Scharner, back at his former club, flicked the ball on and James Morrison got a decent connection, only to see his effort deflected to safety.
Scharner then saw his shot blocked a minute before half-time after Wigan had failed to deal with a fine inswinging free-kick from Chris Brunt.
Breakthrough
Moses came on at the start of the second half for Jordi Gomez and he quickly made an impact, racing away down the right. However, his cross in the 50th minute went behind the waiting N'Zogbia.
West Brom appealed for a penalty in the 55th minute when Caldwell tripped Odemwingie as he cut inside. Instead referee Anthony Taylor awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Brunt's effort came back off the wall.
Wigan made the vital breakthrough in the 70th minute through Moses - and West Brom went in search of the equaliser.
Steven Reid went close before the home side should have added a second goal in the 82nd minute. Substitute Franco Di Santo found himself clear on goal as Albion waited in vain for the whistle for offside - but he dragged his effort wide.
Marc-Antoine Fortune almost equalised at the end but Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi blocked his shot to leave West Brom frustrated.
The newly-promoted side are beginning to find it hard to win games after a bright start to the campaign.
| Wigan Athletic |
Team Statistics |
West Bromwich Albion |
| 1 |
Goals |
0 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 3 |
Shots on Target |
3 |
| 8 |
Shots off Target |
4 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
4 |
| 5 |
Corners |
5 |
| 15 |
Fouls |
14 |
| 1 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 78 |
Passing Success |
68 |
| 29 |
Tackles |
39 |
| 75.9 |
Tackles Success |
66.7 |
| 61.4 |
Possession |
38.6 |
| 50 |
Territorial Advantage |
50 |
|
