Wind blows Cardiff away
JOSH WINDASS went from zero to hero as Wigan shocked Neil Warnock’s promotion favourites.
The Latics striker missed a penalty but responded by playing a part in his side’s equaliser before netting a fine strike in an eye-catching display.
In a topsy-turvy game, Wigan stunned Cardiff with two comebacks and boss Paul Cook said: “The game had everything – so many incidents and turning points.
“I was really proud of Josh Windass. He missed a penalty and then hits a free-kick that sparked us into action.
“To be honest, I would have been happy with a point at 1-0 down but by the end, we looked like a team that could have a good season.”
It all kicked off with a well-taken strike by Joe Ralls. The 25-year-old midfielder turned Cardiff’s 3,000 following into a
Welsh choir after 20 minutes when he lashed home an unstoppable firsttimer after keeper David Marshall could only parry.
Wigan claimed they should have had a penalty when Joe Garner’s closerange blast hit Aden Flint’s arm in front of goal but referee David Webb waved play on.
After the break, Windass’ penalty hit the post after he had been brought down by Sean Morrison.
But when keeper Neil Etheridge had to go off injured and Joe Day took over, the momentum swung Wigan’s way.
Within minutes, Michael Jacobs latched on to a half chance after Windass’ 40yard free-kick hit the wall.
And then Windass tormented Cardiff skipper Morrison again to put them ahead with an angled strike.
Substitute Omar Bogle looked to have given the Bluebirds a point against his old club with a tap-in from Bobby Reid’s cross.
But Lee Evans’ fine strike from distance gave unfancied Wigan the perfect start to the season.
Bluebirds boss Warnock blamed “poor defending” for his side’s unexpected reverse.
“All their goals were preventable and we have to learn from that,” he said.
“We had chances to kill off the game, but some questions have been answered, though I’m still mystified by the new handball rules.
“I thought their penalty was a bit iffy too – it looked shoulder to shoulder.
“Whatever, we must get it right for next week.” WIGAN CARDIFF 4 .........Shots on Target .........4 3 ........ Shots off Target.........5 5 .......... Blocked Shots ..........4 6 ................ Corners ................6 9 ................... Fouls ................. 15 326........ Total Passes ....... 249 68.4 .. Passing Success ... 61.0 56.4 ....... Possession ....... 43.6 47.3 ... Territorial Adv% .. 52.7