Wigan Athletic 0-1 Watford: Joao Pedro heads late winner for Hornets

Joao PedroImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Joao Pedro took his season's goal tally to four

Joao Pedro headed in a late winner as Watford consigned Wigan to a fourth-straight defeat.

The forward rose highest to meet Yaser Asprilla's cross to plant a fine header past Latics goalkeeper Jamie Jones.

Ismaila Sarr had gone closest in a goalless first half when he combined with Vakoun Bayo before his shot forced a point-blank save from Jones.

Will Keane had an early long-range shot saved by Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann, but it proved their only attempt on target.

It looked like Wigan boss Leam Richardson would end a week in which he signed a new deal with a hard-earned point before Pedro's winner three minutes from time - the only attempt on target from either side after the break.

Yet Wigan came within inches of an equaliser when Jack Whatmough headed Max Power's corner against the crossbar in the seventh minute of stoppage-time.

Watford held out for their first back-to-back wins of the season, which lifts them to seventh and within two points of the play-off places, while Wigan's seventh defeat in nine leaves them two points and as many places above the bottom three.

The hosts started well, with Keane heading James McClean's free-kick against the outside of the post before the Hornets responded as Bayo went close with a glancing header.

The Latics again started the second half brightly, but lacked a cutting edge, with McClean firing an effort over when well placed and then seeing another attempt blocked.

Wigan survived a let off when Whatmough's full-stretch block denied Sarr's goalbound strike, but their luck ran out, leaving them with just six points from nine home matches this season.

Wigan boss Leam Richardson:

"It's frustrating for sure. Could the lads have given us any more? Possibly not. But the last two games have been decided by big moments from set-pieces in both boxes.

"We could have had six points, we should have had at least two points, and we've come away with nothing.

"I thought we took them on and went toe-to-toe for the vast majority of the game, but one of theirs pops his chance in and we hit the post and the bar.

"I don't think we just battled well today, I thought we played well too."

Watford boss Slaven Bilic told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"We were coming to their final third with combinations, with good numbers of players, but then we were lacking quality and there was indecision.

"We had a great chance through Sarr after a brilliant move and backheel from Bayo and then a great save from the keeper, but we were always trying to win it.

"We limited them to set plays, long balls and throw-ins and you can always concede from these situations, but we defended well.

"It's all about the squad because today, although we were missing a few players, the guys who came on from the bench, they won us the game, they raised the level of quality."

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