GRIGG ON FIRE IN RECORD WIN
LATICS fans enjoyed the perfect Christmas present as a Will Grigginspired Wigan thrashed Oxford to leave manager Paul Cook looking on with pride.
Northern Ireland striker Grigg bagged a hat-trick alongside a brace from Max Power, and efforts from Nick Powell and Gavin Massey as the Latics cemented their spot at the top of the table.
It was the biggest-ever win recorded by the Latics in their history, and boss Paul Cook was understandably delighted.
He said: “That’s a lovely stat to have. Everything has gone really well for us, we looked strong, we looked really, really good.”
“Our players deserve the praise and the plaudits. We came to win and we did, we’ve won away again and our players deserve a huge pat on the back.
“But, it’s a long season and now we look forward to Boxing Day.”
Wigan quickly asserted their authority on the game and went ahead after just ten minutes.
Powell won the ball in the middle of the park, before playing through Michael Jacobs who squared it for Grigg.
The Latics’ high-pressing style was causing the U’s problems, and the league leaders doubled their lead shortly after. Massey won a corner, which was floated in by Lee Evans and headed in by Powell.
Before the half-hour mark, Wigan went three up. Jacobs ran at the Oxford defence before the ball fell to Grigg, who squared to Massey to fire across Simon Eastwood.
Just before the break Lee Evans struck the bar with a powerful effort after great build-up play from the Latics but it remained 3-0 at half time.
As the teams re-emerged, Wigan picked up from where they left off. Powell nicked the ball off the Oxford defence and squared to Grigg who held off John Mousinho before calmly finding the net.
Grigg bagged his hattrick two minutes later. Massey sprinted past Ricardinho before crossing into the box, and Grigg capitalised on a defensive mishap between Mike Williamson and Mousinho to stab the ball home.
Ten minutes later, it was six. The impressive Massey nicked the ball past Ricardinho and raced to the byline, before pulling it back for the on-rushing Power, who fired home.
The latter netted a stunning seventh on 77 minutes, firing home from the edge of the area.
Oxford boss Pep Clotet said: “The players worked very, very hard,” he said.
“It was a very difficult game. We started on the front foot and we wanted to give them a good game, but we made a few mistakes and they punished us.
“Again, second half, we started well but made a mistake and they scored. We’re then chasing the game which is very difficult against a team like this. Wigan were very good. We are very
hurt.”