Hugill at the double to the delight of Pulis
Middlesbrough 2 Hugill (39 pen, 44) Wigan Athletic 0
Tony Pulis was always confident Jordan Hugill would rediscover his scoring touch and the manager has now challenged the West Ham United loanee to stay on the goal trail for Boro.
Hugill slotted home from the penalty spot against Wigan to net his first league goal since his summer move to the Riverside, and he was on target again five minutes later as he lashed a half-volley into the roof of the net.
The 2-0 victory earned Boro a first league win in four games after three straight draws, and it was especially sweet for Hugill, a native Teessider who once pulled pints in one of the pubs.
Pulis said: “I was really pleased that Jordan got the two goals. What people have missed, and I’ve said it before, is that the lad went from Preston to West Ham and was never involved in any football at all in the Premier League.
“Then in pre-season he got an injury, so he hasn’t really done anything for six months. He came here cold, his fitness levels were nowhere near those of the rest of the group.
“But he’s worked hard and, in the past few games, we’ve seen some good signs. The players are delighted for him because he’s such a good lad around the place. He works so hard and he’s got his qualities.”
Pulis is picking Hugill ahead of both Britt Assombalonga and Rudy Gestede, and he expects Hugill’s performances to improve now he has broken his Championship duck. Pulis said: “I don’t think this will do him any harm at all. Getting the two goals can only help and, to be fair to him, he didn’t want anyone else to take that penalty. He was really keen to take it, which is brilliant.”
Wigan’s defeat leaves them just four points clear of the relegation zone and Paul Cook admits his side are making far too many costly errors.
The Latics have now lost four games in a row and their strong start to the season is being rapidly undone.
Cook said: “I’m disappointed to lose, but we’re in the midst of disappointing run. You come to places like this and know you’re going to have to defend and come under pressure, but from my point of view the goals we’re giving away aren’t coming from pressure, they’re coming from individual mistakes.
“Without being disrespectful to ourselves, to give it a go was the least we could do. But we’re littered with errors from game to game. If you make individual errors, against Middlesbrough, they’ll cause you problems and when they have to defend they will defend as good as anyone.”