Latics outplayed by the Blues after bright start – Wigan Athletic 0 Birmingham City 3

01/05/2025 05:52 AM

• Birmingham City moved back to the top of League One with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium.
• Latics had three good chances in the opening 15 minutes. First when Jonny Smith’s shot took a big deflection and Ryan Allsop saved with his feet. Scott Smith fired narrowly wide and then Jonny Smith forced another Allsop save at full stretch.
• The visitors went ahead with their first attack. Alfie May finishing from inside the box after Sam Tickle could only parry a cross into his path in the 18th minute.
• Birmingham doubled their lead on the half-hour mark when Paik Seung-ho played a superb pass to Ethan Laird down the right, and his cross was tapped home by May.
• Latics almost pulled a goal back when Michael Olakigbe struck the post with Allsop beaten.
• But William Willumsson made it 3-0 for the visitors in the 61st minute after being set up by Laird.
• Latics drop to 17th place and Birmingham move two points clear at the top of League One.

Shaun Maloney made one change from the starting XI which lost at Wrexham with Jensen Weir replacing the injured Baba Adeeko.

Latics started on the front foot and had a big opportunity inside the first three minutes as Jonny Smith's deflected volley looked destined for the net but Allsop saved with his legs.

Jonny Smith tried his luck again one minute later as he cut inside from the right and forced another great save from Allsop, diving full stretch to his left.

Scott Smith fired wide as Latics continued the early onslaught.

Michael Olakigbe's cross then went through to Jonny Smith who curled a third effort narrowly wide of the far post.

The visitors went ahead with their first attack. Alfie May finishing from inside the box after Sam Tickle could only parry a cross into his path in the 18th minute. 

Birmingham doubled their lead on the half-hour when Paik Seung-ho played a superb pass to Laird down the right, and his cross was tapped home by May.

Latics almost pulled a goal back just before half-time when Michael Olakigbe struck the post with Allsop beaten.

The visitors made it three on 61 minutes as Laird crossed for Willumsson who was free inside the box and fired low past Tickle.

Weir tried his luck from 25 yards with a free-kick which was easily gathered by Allsop.

Late on Jason Kerr had an effort cleared off the line but by then it was obvious that it wasn't going to be Latics day.

Overview 

Latics were left to rue their early missed chances as Birmingham took control following the first goal and their quality shone through.

Birmingham have assembled a £30m plus squad and they are very likely to be promoted back to the Championship.

Latics are a team in transition made up mainly of Academy graduates, free transfers and loan players.

The contrast between the two clubs on the pitch resources is currently huge so this result was not totally unexpected.

Latics have received devastating news on the injuries to our midfield.

Latics are already without Tyrese Francois and now Matt Smith has had surgery on a hamstring injury and will be out for around 16 weeks.

It was also confirmed that fellow central midfielder Baba Adeeko will be out until March with an injury.

Latics have recruited Josh Robinson, Joe Hungbo and loan striker Will Goodwin to the squad so far in the transfer window but they will now also now need to add a midfielder in the transfer window.

Post match comments

Speaking post-game to the media, Maloney expressed the importance of being more clinical in the final third and improving collectively in both boxes. 

"It was a difficult one," he said.

"We were very good in the first half but were 2-0 down. The difference in the first half was how clinical they were in the box.

"We had enough chances and a lot of shots in the first half. In fairness to them, they have a brilliant striker in Alfie May.

"I really liked how we played in the first half. With the history of the Club, we have to go toe-to-toe. 

"My feeling at this Club is we have to go toe-to-toe with these Clubs and get better at what we're doing.

"The game was decided in both boxes. Alfie May is a brilliant finisher and the difference in this game.

"In the first 20 minutes, we dominated, and even after they scored, we kept hurting them in certain areas.

"When we play like that, we have to be more clinical in the box. I can't really be negative – we've lost the game 3-0 but went toe-to-toe. 

"In the last 15-20 minutes, you could see we were starting to tire. In fairness to the players, they never stopped going.

"I loved how we played in the first half. We just have to get better in those attacking areas. 

"If we were more clinical, this game would've been completely different. They (Birmingham) are a brilliant team, and in the big critical moments, they were better than us." 

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