Wigan 0-2 Bristol City: Jamie Paterson inspires Robins victory

Report and highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash at the DW Stadium

Saturday 11 January 2020 19:50, UK

Substitute Jamie Paterson scored one and made another for Famara Diedhiou in the space of two minutes as Bristol City got back to winning ways with a 2-0 Sky Bet Championship victory at Wigan.

The Robins had played second fiddle for the majority but raised their game in the last half-hour to arrest a run of five defeats in their last six matches.

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Looking to build on their win at Birmingham in their last league outing on New Year's Day, Wigan were quickly into the ascendancy with the visitors on the back foot.

Despite dominating the ball for the opening quarter, the home side failed to work much in the way of goalmouth action.

Indeed, the closest they came to opening the scoring was when Kieran Dowell chased down Bristol City goalkeeper Daniel Bentley and managed to get a block on the attempted clearance.

Fortunately for Bentley, the ball flew back past him but just past the post.

Wigan almost unlocked the door when a sensational 50-yard ball from the back from Kal Naismith found Josh Windass, whose control was superb.

The former Rangers man teed up Joe Williams, whose shot was charged down by Nathan Baker for a corner.

Diedhiou then scored, a top corner volley from 30 yards which David Marshall couldn't get anywhere near.

Sadly for the big striker, the flag had been up for a while and the 'goal' was disallowed.

Wigan started the second period the way they had begun the first, on top but failing to ask probing enough questions.

Antonee Robinson's overhit cross found Jamal Lowe, who helped it back in for Dowell to force the save from Bentley.

A swift counter-attack from Wigan then saw Dowell find Nathan Byrne, whose header at the far post flew wide.

Bristol City had offered little up to this point, but almost took the lead just after the hour mark when Diedhiou again sent a brilliant strike goalwards.

Somehow, Marshall got a fingertip on to the ball, diverting it on to the crossbar and over for a corner.

Wigan made a double change at the three-quarter mark to try to force the issue, sending on England U18 captain Joe Gelhardt and Joe Garner for Windass and Williams.

Garner immediately tested Bentley with a good header, while Gelhardt sent 20-yard strike inches over.

But it was the visitors who took control of the game with two goals inside the space of three minutes to shock the DW Stadium.

With 13 minutes to go, Paterson went through one-on-one before sliding the ball underneath the advancing Marshall.

Then, two minutes later, Paterson played in Diedhiou, who lashed home into the far corner with the goalkeeper helpless.

What the managers said...

Wigan's Paul Cook: "Bristol City came with a front two, they changed after half an hour to a (midfield) five because they couldn't control us in the game. We got in great areas, which we always do, and the lack of quality in the final third is there for all to see.

"If you don't score goals, you won't win games. And it has a very big habit of kicking us where it hurts at the moment."

Bristol City's Lee Johnson: "Enforced substitution, inspired substitution, depending on how you want to look at it! Obviously you've a number of boys to pick from, and we decide to put [Paterson] on. And he's really got that bit between his teeth.

"We allowed him to go out on loan, effectively Derby sent him back, and we needed to have a serious conversation. When Jamie Paterson's mindset's on it, he's up there with one of the best touches and wrigglers and ball manipulators. I was very, very pleased with him today, and he's a top player when he's in that mood."