Match ends, Wigan Athletic 0, Norwich City 1.
WiganWigan Athletic0NorwichNorwich City1
Jonny Howson scored the game's only goal to give Norwich City their first win in five Championship games against struggling Wigan.
The goal came early on, Howson given time and space inside the box to smash a shot past goalkeeper Scott Carson.
The Canaries could have doubled their lead but Cameron Jerome missed a fantastic chance minutes later.
Wigan improved late on but failed to any create clear-cut chances as their winless run extended to six games.
With both teams coming into the match in poor form the first goal was bound to be crucial to its outcome.
The hosts had won just one of their last 14 Championship games and Howson's fierce shot, after just five minutes, knocked their confidence.
Norwich dominated the first half and just two minutes later Jerome, who has scored nine league goals this season, got the wrong side of Maynor Figueroa only to hit a weak shot straight at Carson.
Wigan eventually got a foothold in the game and Marc-Antoine Fortune shot straight at John Ruddy before Callum McManaman cut inside and shot past the post.
After the break James Perch headed James McClean's free-kick towards goal but Ruddy easily gathered.
The home side's efforts in the final third were generally wayward and despite their endeavour Norwich always seemed likely to see the game out.
The result saw Norwich move up to eighth, just two points outside the play-off places, while Wigan remain in trouble in 23rd, three points from safety.
Wigan manager Malky Mackay: "We started slowly, lost a goal after five minutes, and for 15-20 minutes we weren't good enough in everything we were doing.
"But I was happy with the character in the team to come back in the second half and dominate the game the way we did.
"We flashed 20-odd crosses across their box, but you have to put the ball in the back of the net and you have to take your chances."
Norwich manager Neil Adams: "We came here with an intention, with a game-plan to win the game, and I was delighted with the manner we went about it.
"We've all felt the pressure, absolutely, and rightly so. A club like Norwich, with 27,000 fans in the Championship, is expected to perform.
"When results don't go your way, pressure tends to intensify. That's how it should be, and you have to step up to it and face it."
Line-ups
Wigan
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Carson
- 24Perch
- 25Barnett
- 31Figueroa
- 3Taylor
- 7McCannSubstituted forDelortat 89'minutes
- 8Watson
- 15McManaman
- 10MaloneySubstituted forCowieat 48'minutes
- 11McClean
- 32FortunéSubstituted forEspinozaat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 14Huws
- 17Boyce
- 18Espinoza
- 19Cowie
- 26Al-Habsi
- 29Forshaw
- 49Delort
Norwich
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Ruddy
- 2Whittaker
- 5Martin
- 3Cuéllar
- 23Olsson
- 27Tettey
- 28O'Neil
- 4Johnson
- 8Howson
- 11HooperSubstituted forMurphyat 64'minutes
- 10JeromeSubstituted forLaffertyat 70'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Turner
- 9Lafferty
- 12Hooiveld
- 21Murphy
- 22Redmond
- 26Rudd
- 38McGrandles
- Referee:
- Oliver Langford
- Attendance:
- 11,475
Match Stats
Home TeamWiganAway TeamNorwich
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home9
- Away6
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home4
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home5
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Wigan Athletic 0, Norwich City 1.
Post update
Attempt saved. Leon Barnett (Wigan Athletic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Maynor Figueroa.
Post update
Don Cowie (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Josh Murphy (Norwich City).
Post update
James Perch (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City).
Post update
Offside, Wigan Athletic. James Perch tries a through ball, but Roger Espinoza is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Wigan Athletic. Andy Delort replaces Chris McCann.
Post update
James Perch (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Josh Murphy (Norwich City).
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Attempt missed. James Perch (Wigan Athletic) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ben Watson following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Bradley Johnson (Norwich City).
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Callum McManaman (Wigan Athletic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Corner, Wigan Athletic. Conceded by Alexander Tettey.
Substitution
Substitution, Wigan Athletic. Roger Espinoza replaces Marc-Antoine Fortuné.
Post update
Attempt saved. Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Russell Martin.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kyle Lafferty (Norwich City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right from a direct free kick.
Post update
Foul by Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic).
Post update
Josh Murphy (Norwich City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
