Ten men get Wyke up call!
............... 0 ........................ 1 Broadhead 82 DARREN WITCOOP
By
CHARLIE WYKE marked his return by playing a key role as 10-man Wigan stunned Birmingham thanks to Nathan Broadhead’s late winner.
Striker Wyke, on his first appearance since suffering a cardiac arrest last year, made a match-winning impact as he set up fellow sub Broadhead for the 82nd-minute winner.
It was enough to earn Wigan their first victory of the season – after playing with a man down for 80 minutes following Joe Bennett’s early red card.
Latics manager Leam Richardson said: “I know how hard Charlie has worked to get back on the pitch.
“To see him out there is amazing and he also created the goal. It was a brilliant effort from everyone.”
John Eustace’s hosts made a promising start before
Lukas Jutkiewicz was involved in the first big talking point.
As the striker prepared to race clear, he was adjudged to have been clipped by Bennett and the left-back was shown a straight red card.
But the Blues huffed and puffed as they struggled to make their advantage tell.
Scott Hogan saw an effort blocked before the forward slid wide at full stretch.
Jordan James also curled a shot over the Wigan bar.
And the frustration mounted further for Blues as Wyke – on as a 70th-minute substitute – played in Everton loanee Broadhead to fire low past John Ruddy.
Birmingham boss Eustace said: “We have to learn from this and learn fast. But we also all have to stick together.”
BIRMINGHAM: Ruddy 6; Colin 6
(Bellingham (86) 5), Sanderson 7, Trusty 6; Williams 6 (Leko (57) 6), Bacuna 7, James 6, Hall 6 (Cosgrove (80) 6), Placheta 6; Hogan 5, Jutkiewicz 5 (Deeney (57) 5)
WIGAN: Jones 7; Darikwa 6, Whatmough 7, Kerr 6, Bennett 3; Power 7, Naylor 6; Lang 6 (Broadhead (69) 7), Keane 7 (Wyke (70)
7), Mcclean 6 (Shinnie (69) 6); Magennis 6 (Nyambe (17) 7)
STAR MAN: Charlie Wyke. Marked his return to action after a cardiac arrest in November by setting up the winner.
REF: Andy Davies 6