Wigan Athletic 1-1 West Bromwich Albion - Karlan Grant earns Baggies fifth draw of season

Karlan Grant of West Bromwich Albion scores against WiganImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Karlan Grant's goal against Wigan was his fourth of the season

Karlan Grant earned West Bromwich Albion their fifth draw in seven Championship games to start the season, as the Baggies shared the points with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

Josh Magennis gave Wigan the ideal start with a well-taken early finish after muscling his way into the box to run on to a long ball over the top.

Grant intercepted a careless pass from Tom Naylor and punished Wigan for the error as he drove forward before finding the bottom corner with a low shot from the edge of the box.

Both sides were limited to half chances to win it after the break, with the best of them just evading Wigan's Charlie Wyke late on as he tried to meet a cross from Nathan Broadhead.

For Wigan, their fourth draw in six league games this season came just three days after being thrashed 5-1 at home by Burnley.

Magennis showed great strength and poise while under pressure from Semi Ajayi to meet a long ball from Jason Kerr before giving the hosts the perfect start with his first goal of the season.

Ajayi's influence on the game was limited as he was forced off injured after 20 minutes, and West Brom's equaliser followed soon after with Grant punishing Naylor for his stray pass by burying his fourth goal of the season.

A deflected cross from Darnell Furlong fell kindly for Conor Townsend in the box after the break, but the Baggies defender directed his volley wide.

James McClean then headed over for the hosts, while John Swift free-kicks were the greatest source of West Brom's threat as the game progressed - with Grant heading over from one delivery and Ben Amos able to punch away a dangerous late set-piece.

Wyke, making his first appearance at the DW Stadium since suffering a cardiac arrest in November, saw an opportunity flash by him at the end of a tense game, which deservedly ended even.

Wigan boss Leam Richardson:

"I thought a draw was a fair result. We're obviously disappointed after taking the lead, and the manner of their equaliser.

"But when lads make honest mistakes like we did - and I mean this genuinely - I have no problem with that at all.

"I have a problem when players don't run hard, or work hard, or have good habits throughout the week - I have big problems with that.

"But when they make honest mistakes, I have absolutely no issues, and we have to keep reminding ourselves of the clubs we're going head to head with here."

West Brom manager Steve Bruce:

"I can't fault my team in terms of effort and endeavour, but we knew Wigan would have a backlash from the weekend and we found it difficult.

"We couldn't find the answers to be able to break through, we didn't pass it well enough, and we didn't have nearly enough penetration.

"It was a frustrating night for us, because we simply didn't play well enough to win the match.

"It's arguably as poor as we've played, and that's the way it is, but also credit to Wigan, who were determined, aggressive, put it forward, and asked a few questions of us."

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