Wigan Athletic 2-1 Sunderland AFC
Sunderland’s automatic promotion hopes took a hit as they were beaten 2-1 by Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
The Black Cats took the lead in the 32nd minute through Charlie Wyke.
Wigan responded with goals from Will Keane in the 42nd minute and Callum Lang in the 58th minute to seal the three points.
Lee Johnson’s first game came at home to Wigan, just hours after his announcement as Sunderland manager, with the game ending 1-0 to the away side.
Bailey Wright returned to Sunderland’s defence for the first time in two months, with Luke O’Nien moving to right back.
Aiden McGeady had the first chance of the game for the home side after link up with Jordan Jones, but his effort was saved by Jamie Jones.
Sunderland found a breakthrough in the 32nd minute. McGeady whipped a cross for Charlie Wyke who looked to be offside, but the flag stayed down and Wyke calmly slotted the ball past Jones.
The Latics responded in the 42nd minute from a deep corner which was headed down by Joe Dodoo, and Will Keane held off his man and smashed his shot past Lee Burge.
Wigan looked the more threatening side in the second half and in the 58th minute, the away side’s corner arrived to Dodoo who crossed for Lang to tap the ball in from point blank range.
The away side almost managed to cement their lead through positive play from Callum Lang, who beat his man and rolled the ball through to Keane, who’s wild shot went wide.
Sunderland’s game in hand advantage over Peterborough has now gone, and the team face an in-form Blackpool side in their next match on Saturday.