Wigan 1-2 Sheffield United: Kolo Toure loses first home game as boss

Wigan 1-2 Sheffield United: John Egan and Billy Sharp on target for in-form Blades as Kolo Toure’s first home game in charge of the Latics ends in defeat

  • Sheffield United earned a 2-1 win over Wigan to record a sixth win in seven
  • John Egan and Billy Sharp scored as the Blades moved to three points of Burnley
  • Kolo Toure was taking charge of his first home match as Wigan boss 

Kolo Toure’s first home match in charge of Wigan ended in defeat as Sheffield United moved to within three points of Championship leaders Burnley.

Goals from John Egan and veteran Billy Sharp earned the Blades a sixth win in seven games as they press for one of the automatic promotion spots following last season’s setback in the play-offs.

Toure received a warm welcome from Wigan fans before his first home game as boss but it didn’t take long for the harsh reality of the task ahead of him to sink in.

Kolo Toure received a warm welcome from Wigan fans before his first home match in charge

John Egan headed Sheffield United into the lead from a corner after eight minutes 

He wants his side to play a more possession-based game but they gave the ball away in dangerous areas n numerous occasions and the former Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic defender has a lot of work ahead to prevent the Latics from making a quick return to League One.

It was basic bad defending however that allowed Egan to lose his markers and thump home a header from Oliver Norwood’s corner to put promotion-chasing Sheffield United ahead after only eight minutes.

The Blades dominated the rest of the half should have been home and hosed by the break with James McAtee going close and Sander Berge fluffing a great chance.

Billy Sharp of Sheffield United celebrates his goal to make it 2-0 at the DW Stadium

Nathan Broadhead pulled a goal back for the hosts but Toure’s side suffered defeat

MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS 

Wigan (4-2-3-1): Jones 6; Darikwa 5 (Nyambe 60, 6), Whatnough 5 (Edmonds-Green 31, 5), Tilt 6, Bennett 6 (Aasgard 60, 7); Power 6, Naylor 6 (Cousins 46, 5); Lang 6, Keane 6, McClean 6; Broadhead 7 (Fletcher 83, 5).

Unused subs: Amos, Shinnie, Cousins.

Booked: Tilt.

Goal: Broadhead 65.

Sheff Utd (3-5-2): Foderingham 6; Egan 7, Ahmedhodzic 6, Clark 6; Baldock 6, Sevens 6, Norwood 7, Berge 7; McAtee 7 (Khadra 79, 5), Ndiaye 7, Sharp 7 (MCBurnie 79, 5).

Unused subs: Davies, Basham, Lowe, Bogle, Doyle.

Goal: Egan 8, Sharp 56.

Referee: Dean Whitestone 6.

Wigan improved in the second half only for skipper Tendayi Darikwa to give the ball away allowing Sharp to put the Blades 2-0 up in the 56th minute with a cool finish – the 249th goal of his career.

Toure would have been encouraged by Wigan’s spirited response however with Nathan Broadhead pulling a goal back in the 65th minute after Wes Foderingham had spilled James McClean’s low cross.

Norwood went close to making it 3-1 with a free-kick but the Latics kept Blades on their toes right to the end. 



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