Norwich City 0-1 Wigan Athletic

Kim Bo-kyung scored with eight minutes gone, and Norwich couldn't find a reply

Norwich's automatic promotion hopes were dented by their first defeat in eight games as Wigan earned a surprise victory at Carrow Road.

Alex Neil's side had won their last six matches but Kim Bo-kyung's early goal ensured David Sharpe's first game as Latics chairman brought a victory.

South Korean midfielder Kim blasted past John Ruddy after James McClean and Leon Clarke combined.

The result moves Wigan up to 22nd place, six points from safety.

Norwich, meanwhile, are fifth, with Watford and Bournemouth having moved above them by both winning on Tuesday.

Sharpe was at Carrow Road in his new role as Wigan chairman, having replaced his grandfather Dave Whelan, who stepped down on Tuesday after 20 years in the position.

The home side struggled to get going and, having gone behind after eight minutes, Cameron Jerome headed well wide with the best chance of a disappointing first-half.

Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong blasted well over on the hour mark, before Bradley Johnson curled a free-kick over from a promising position as Wigan resisted growing pressure.

The Canaries were dominating possession, but move after move broke down on the edge of the box, with the away side defending in numbers.

Neil introduced academy graduate Carlton Morris for the 19-year-old's debut in search of an equaliser, but Norwich would come no closer than in the 89th-minute, when Jerome saw another shot sail well over.

Norwich City manager Alex Neil: "We didn't do enough to deserve anything from the game. We didn't start well and then switched off at a short throw, allowing them to score early. That gave them something to hang on to and we just weren't good enough to break them down after that.

"In the run of six straight wins, we have just had the players worked really hard and got their reward. But tonight the intensity just wasn't there. We huffed and puffed, especially in the second half, but overall we were lacklustre and got punished for it."

Wigan manager Malky Mackay: "We worked out a plan to beat them and I was delighted with the way the lads carried it out. We defended well, there was a calmness about us in possession and I thought we were well organised in both halves. It was a very disciplined performance.

"I have always believed we can stay up - and taking six points from two away games has cut the gap down to six. The challenge now is obviously to build on these wins."