Wigan's inconsistent season was in plain sight as they were taken apart by Bolton on Saturday.
Lancashire derby delight for Coyle's side who hit Wigan for four
Wigan's inconsistent season was in plain sight at the Reebok as they were taken apart by Bolton, who found the perfect response to their 4-0 demolition by Sunderland by securing one of their own.
It could have been all so different had referee Mike Dean given the Latics, who triumphed over Liverpool on Monday, a penalty from Zat Knight's robust challenge on Hugo Rodallega in the opening minutes.
But it proved an afternoon to forget for Wigan and in particular defender Gary Caldwell, whose torrid day at the office swung into motion as his slip in the 10th minute allowed Johan Elmander to net his third goal of the season.
If Wigan felt aggrieved to be denied a spot-kick, manager Roberto Martinez would have been furious by Dean's decision to award Bolton a penalty three minutes into the second-half when Caldwell's challenge on Tamir Cohen was deemed illegal.
Kevin Davies, who lead the line fantastically, tucked home the spot-kick to put the Trotters clear before Fabrice Muamba and Matty Taylor added further goals in the second-half - all courtesy of Caldwell errors - to give Bolton a vital win in their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.
Wigan, meanwhile, could be dragged back into the mire following their latest away reverse but remain 15th and four points above the drop-zone.
Given they had beaten the Reds earlier in the week, Wigan manager Martinez would have expected much more from his side.
The visitors did start the game with the confidence of a team buoyed by a scalp and Rodallega looked bright and asked Knight several questions in the opening exchanges.
Breakthrough
But after seeing a penalty appeal turned down, Wigan were behind as Bolton made the breakthrough after Davies managed to get the better of Titus Bramble.
The ball broke to Elmander and the Sweden striker shrugged off Caldwell to send a shot beyond Chris Kirkland for his third league goal of the campaign.
Wigan responded in the 19th minute and Paul Scharner got clear of his marker when Victor Moses, making his first start, floated in a free-kick.
However, Scharner was unable to get enough power on his header and Jussi Jaaskelainen was able to make the save.
Play switched back down the other end and Davies latched on to a loose ball in the 24th minute only to send his effort high over the bar.
There was another scare for Wigan in the 26th minute when Lee Chung-yong delivered a corner from the left.
Davies was the first to react and eventually the ball broke to Andy O'Brien but his effort was diverted to safety.
Wigan launched a swift counter attack in the 36th minute and Charles N'Zogbia showed good pace to create an opening for himself.
However, his effort from the edge of the area failed to trouble Jaaskelainen, much to the midfielder's frustration.
Wigan came close to equalising in the 43rd minute with N'Zogbia finding himself unmarked at the back post.
He clipped in a shot but Jaaskelainen was equal to it and parried the ball around the post.
Bundled
Bolton extended their lead three minutes into the second half after Cohen was bundled over by Caldwell and official Dean had no hesitation in awarding a penalty despite Wigan's protests.
Davies stepped up and drilled his spot-kick into the corner for his seventh goal of the campaign.
It was just the start Bolton wanted and they made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute following some good skill from Muamba.
The 21-year-old midfielder is known for breaking up the play but he showed another side to his game by turning Caldwell inside out before firing a shot beyond Kirkland.
It was Muamba's first goal for the club since he arrived from Birmingham in the summer of 2008 and he marked the occasion by running to the dugout to embrace Coyle.
Wigan were stunned but Emmerson Boyce delivered a good cross into the area after 60 minutes, only for Rodallega to head over the bar.
Bolton went further clear in the 69th minute when Caldwell failed to deal with Elmander's flick on and Taylor took advantage to score.
Ivan Klasnic almost added a fifth but his overhead kick in the 84th minute went the wrong side of the post following a flick on from Elmander.
Wigan kept working away and Bramble flicked a header wide but they still have plenty of hard work ahead if they are to avoid the drop.
| Bolton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Wigan Athletic |
| 4 |
Goals |
0 |
| 1 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 5 |
Shots on Target |
5 |
| 2 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 2 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 3 |
Corners |
6 |
| 24 |
Fouls |
13 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 55.9 |
Passing Success |
72.6 |
| 41 |
Tackles |
20 |
| 85.4 |
Tackles Success |
70 |
| 40.6 |
Possession |
59.4 |
| 41.3 |
Territorial Advantage |
58.7 |
|
Barclays Premier League Relegation - Wigan 6/1
