Wigan 0-1 Huddersfield: Nahki Wells strikes late winner

A predatory strike from Nahki Wells 10 minutes from time gave Huddersfield all three points from their Sky Bet Championship clash against Wigan.

The Terriers avenged Wigan's 2-1 triumph at the John Smith's Stadium back in November, by converting the only real effort on goal from both sides to win 1-0.

Elias Kachunga tried his luck from distance, with none of the Wigan players seeming to want to close him down. Home goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen could only parry the ball to the edge of his six-yard box, and Wells was the first to react to slide the ball from close range.

Aside from that, both teams appeared equally unable to provide anything in the way of quality, in a game that looked destined to end goalless from virtually the first minute.

Wigan, looking for a first win since their triumph at Huddersfield five weeks ago, tried to take the game to their high-flying opponents from the off. Michael Jacobs started in lively fashion down the Wigan left, but was unable to link up with fellow attackers Yanic Wildschut, Will Grigg and the fit-again Nick Powell.

There was a flashpoint at the start of the second half when Wildschut raced clear and appeared to be hauled down by Town last man Tareiq Holmes-Dennis, only for referee Jeremy Simpson to brandish yellow instead of red.

Wildschut then beat two defenders down the Wigan left, only to drag his shot well wide of the near post.

Wigan threw on Ryan Colclough - recalled yesterday from a loan spell at League One outfit MK Dons - for Powell inside the last quarter, as they pushed for what would have been a vital extra couple of points in their fight against the drop.

But they ended up with nothing when Jaaskelainen was unable to hold on to Kachunga's speculative strike, and Wells followed in where no Wigan defender gambled and was rewarded with the winning goal.

Shortly after, Jaaskelainen raced off his line to try to cut out a long ball aimed for Wells, only for the striker to get to the ball first and knock it beyond him. Fortunately for the veteran goalkeeper, team-mate Stephen Warnock was on hand to spare his blushes.

But not even the late additions of Adam Le Fondre and Craig Davies could tip the game back Wigan's way - and leave them languishing in 23rd spot out of 24, with Huddersfield remaining in fourth spot. 

Wigan boss Warren Joyce:

"It's certainly not a happy new year, no. It's a sickener, it's floored the lads, it's floored myself really.

"But things happen in life like that, and you've got to get on with it.

"It would be more disheartening if there weren't any performances going on."

Huddersfield boss David Wagner: 

"Of course I am very pleased with the three points and the result. And I was also pleased by the attitude showed by my players.

"Maybe the performance wasn't quite there in the first half, but we brought the right attitude, which is important to be successful."