Will Keane worked the first opening of the game for the hosts with a long-range effort that sailed over the bar, but it was the South Yorkshire side that quickly asserted their dominance in the contest. After early chances for Billy Sharp and Iliman Ndiaye, the visitors took the lead thanks to John Egan. The Irishman escaped his marker from Oliver Norwood's corner and saw his bullet header beat Jamie Jones for his first goal since September 2021.
The Blades were looking sharp and James McAtee saw his effort blocked by Curtis Tilt following some fine play from Sander Berge and Ndiaye. United continued in their hunt as McAtee picked out Berge, but the Norwegian would have been disappointed by his subsequent tame strike. Touré’s men improved later in the half but had a penalty shout turned down when Edmonds-Green and Anel Ahmedhodžić tussled inside the box.
Sharp doubled United's lead 12 minutes after the restart however, taking a fine first touch on his right foot and smashed home a left-footed strike from Ndiaye’s pass to score in successive games for the first time this season. The Latics showed plenty of fight though and were unlucky not to concede a penalty when substitute Thelo Aasgaard’s shot looked to have hit George Baldock’s hand, with the Norwegian in disbelief that a penalty had not been awarded.
Aasgaard would eventually make the desired impact, and played a key role in halving the deficit, feeding in James McClean, whose shot was saved by Wes Foderingham before Nathan Broadhead tapped in the loose ball from point-blank range. It was arguably a stroke of luck for the hosts, with Broadhead appearing to be in an offside position. Undeterred, Norwood continued his fine work in midfield and came within inches of restoring the Blades’ two-goal cushion, only to see his free-kick sail just over the bar.
The hosts pressed forward desperately in search of an equaliser, though it was ultimately to no avail, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side consolidating their position in second. Meanwhile, Wigan’s poor form at the DW stadium continues, having picked up just nine points at home - the lowest total in the division - leaving them in 23rd place and two points adrift of safety.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Oliver Norwood (Sheffield United)
