BLUES LOVE THEIR CHRISTMAS THREE
GOALS from Che Adams, Michael Morrison and Jacques Maghoma gave Birmingham City a thoroughly-convincing away win at Wigan Athletic on a cold and dreary afternoon at DW Stadium.
The Latics had gone into the game defending one of the best home records in the division, but Morrison’s goal on half-time – added to Adams’ opener – gave Blues valuable breathing space.
And Maghoma made it three just after the hour mark, with Wigan chasing shadows by this point and slipping further down the table after a promising start.
Birmingham boss Garry Monk dedicated the victory to their incredible 4,593-strong travelling contingent from the Midlands.
“It was the last thing I said to the players before they went out, to put on a show for the fans,” admitted Monk.
“Hopefully they can enjoy their Christmas even more after a performance like that.
“I thought we looked a threat every time we had a set-piece and it could have been even more.
“At the same time, when they had their moments, we stayed switched on and defended very well throughout.
“On the whole it was a fabulous performance and we thoroughly deserved the three points.”
Wigan boss Paul Cook admitted the defeat had left him feeling as low as at any other time since he arrived from Portsmouth in the summer of 2017.
“In football these days there’s a clamour for change,” he said.
“But the fact is we’ve had 18 great months here, it’s been such a fantastic ride with so many highs. I can’t remember too many times I’ve been in that tunnel after a game feeling the way I did.
“If I as a manager want to go further in the game, it’s up to me to prove I can come up with the answers.
“Coming out after a game spouting a load of nonsense won’t get me there.
“Nobody hands you anything in this division, and it’s up to us to turn things around.”
Wigan started the stronger and were almost in front inside five minutes. Gary Roberts went past four defenders, and his cross was just about cleared before James Vaughan could slot home.
But as they continued to knock at the door, Wigan were rocked on their heels by a goal of stunning simplicity from Birmingham.
Adams fed Lukas Jutkiewicz and took the return pass before slotting past Christian Walton.
Later in the half, Adams almost took advantage of a breakdown in communication before Sam Morsy snuffed out the danger.
The respite was only temporary, however, with the resulting corner being flicked on and Morrison slotting in from close range.
In the second half, outstanding defending from Morrison denied Burn what he thought was going to be a tap-in, before Josh Windass headed wide from six yards.
Any lingering hopes Wigan had of getting anything out of the game were extinguished after 61 minutes, when Jutkiewicz’s header goalwards was steered over the line by Maghoma.