Return to Wales is a sweet one for Jordi
FORMER Swansea midfielder Jordi Gomez’s late goal for managerless Wigan ended Neil Warnock’s unbeaten start at Cardiff.
The Bluebirds will feel hard done by as they dominated large spells of the game.
Gomez’s 86th-minute strike moves Wigan to within one point of safety and ends their four-game winless run.
But Sol Bamba and Anthony Pilkington squandered glorious opportunities to give their new boss his third win at the Welsh club.
Assistant manager Graham Barrow, development squad manager Peter Atherton and first-team coach Joe Parkinson took charge of Wigan following Gary Cadwell’s exit on Tuesday.
Barrow said: “It has been a tough week, especially for the staff.
“I think they did hurt when Gary left the club.
“The win is a relief because we needed it. The players were determined to do it for Gary and the club.”
Cardiff controlled the opening stages with Pilkington’s header forcing a save from Adam Bogdan.
And after 11 minutes, Bamba’s header was cleared off the line by Reece Burke.
Then Pilkington’s dangerous cross was vitally blocked by Burke.
Latics’ only shot on target in the first half fell to Yanic Wildschut but his tame shot was easily saved by Cardiff keeper Ben Amos.
Wigan could have been in front three minutes after the break but Will Grigg’s deflected shot drifted just wide, while Jake Buxton failed to direct a headed chance on target.
In response, Aron Gunnarsson’s powerful drive was beaten away with one hand by Bogdan before Bamba somehow headed wide from close range.
The winner came after good work from David Perkins on the wing, who squared the ball for Gomez to tap home.
Warnock said: “I knew it was going to be a 1-0 result.
“If you don’t take your chances then you have no chance and it felt like we were always going to get caught with a sucker punch.
“It was a typical away performance from Wigan and they will be delighted.”