Sibierski seals second win

Heskey: Opened the scoring

Antoine Sibierski scored his third goal in as many games, as Wigan Athletic brought Sunderland back down to earth with a bump.

Chris Hutchings' side notched their second successive win at home, as Roy Keane's troops failed to live up to expectations.

Emile Heskey (19) slotted The Latics into a 1-0 lead, though replays showed he was in an offside position when the ball was played.

Denny Landzaat (62) and Sibierski (69) then converted second-half penalties, as Sunderland's backline dissolved in the wet conditions.

Hot Heskey

While Sibierski maintained his impressive record of scoring in each of Wigan's three games this season, it was Heskey's return to form that will most please the Latics faithful.

Sunderland actually started brightly as their width continued to stretch Wigan, as Michael Chopra had the game's first shot on target in the 13th minute, his 25-yard free-kick forcing Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to tip over.

Wigan, though, gradually got on top and took the lead after good work by Antonio Valencia down the right.

The Ecuadorian international bundled his way through a lame challenge by Sunderland's Ross Wallace, and although his low cross was deflected by McShane, Heskey had got in front of Nosworthy to turn the ball home from eight yards.

Heskey did appear to come from an offside position, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Referee Mike Riley then incurred the wrath of the home crowd when he refused to give a penalty for Greg Halford's clumsy lunge from behind on Jason Koumas.

Daryl Murphy then tested Kirkland, who saved with his left foot but is was Wigan that looked the stronger.

Heskey tested Craig Gordon with a thumping header but in the second period the Scottish goalkeeper could not contain a prolific Wigan.

Pair of penalties

First, Danny Collins was penalised for grappling with Sibierski in the 61st minute, and Landzaat showed a calm head to side-foot the spot-kick home.

Then eight minutes later, another substitute, Russell Anderson, fouled Heskey, and this time Sibierski stepped up to hit the penalty down the middle and give Wigan an unassailable advantage.